York Co. chamber boots up new Technology Consortium

Local officials are meeting the emergence of a new “knowledge economy” with the launch of a Rock Hill-focused Technology Consortium.

The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce announced the new initiative at its 2015 State of the Community breakfast at York Tech’s Baxter Hood Center – a meeting that highlighted the growth of the city’s Knowledge Park concept with this week’s unveiling of the new University Center.

Chamber board chairman Harvey Hawkins will bring together representatives from technology-focused companies with the area’s educational institutions, governments and other community leaders to grow the area’s knowledge-based economy.

“I don’t know of anybody else in our area who is doing this kind of think tank,” said chamber president Rob Youngblood. “This will bring all those together under one umbrella, along with our young professionals group and small business group.”

The consortium will focus on education and workforce development, networking opportunities, and other programs to spread the word about local industries, Hawkins said.

The growth of the knowledge sector was highlighted in the form of local company Cimplx, a software firm that works to help companies comply with the Affordable Care Act.

“In the early days, we need space for meetings, and the Technology Incubator provided the space,” said Jonathan Ferguson, Cimplx’s chief operating officer. “Now we’ve filled an entire floor of the Hive,” the technology headquarters on Rock Hill’s Main Street. The company’s 47 employees also fill a floor at Fountain Park Place down the street.

Last year, Cimplx was a finalist for South Carolina’s InnoVision Award, Ferguson said.

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 11:31 AM with the headline "York Co. chamber boots up new Technology Consortium."