Products made in Greer can now be certified as GreerMade in an initiative presented by the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce.
Mark Owens, President/CEO of the Chamber, said the program is to promote and market the diversity of products made in Greer. “We’re doing a certification of origin, a registered trademark that shows the product comes from Greer,” Owens said.
“Anybody who makes a product in Greer can certify the product and call it as a GreerMade product,” Owens told GreerToday.com. “So their product has to be 60 percent put together in Greer. Our advisory board will approve them and then we will have a licensing agreement to allow the GreerMade logo on their goods.”
An advisory board and funding partners have been formed to help launch the application process.
Greer Commission of Public Works is the first to ask for GreerMade certification. “Our water comes from Lake Cunningham and Lake Robinson and our processing plant (at Lake Cunningham) provides all our local water,” Matthew Brady, spokesman for CPW said. “We think it’s a very good program and wanted to be part of it.”
The registered mark can be put on restaurant menus, James Carter of Empire can put it on his bowties, if he likes, and a sticker can be put on a car, like a BMW (manufactured in Greer). “That’s just a snapshot who we want to reach (manufacturing, culinary and retail).
BMW is part of the five-member certification advisory board. “I wanted (BMW’s) participation for their expertise to talk to suppliers. (BMW) is a vital part and we’re excited to have them involved,” Owens said. “The best thing about having BMW with us is they wanted to become part of this.”
The Chamber, Greer Development Corp., (GDC) Greenville Technical College and J. Harley Bonds Career Center are on the board.
Owens pointed out that the available skilled workforce can become a problem with new suppliers and manufacturers moving into the greater Greer area. Using GreerMade’s initiative in schools Owens suggested more opportunities would become available to area workers.
“We do have a huge problem with our skill force in our workforce,” Owens said. “Students, for example, have to realize there are so many opportunities in making products.” Reno (Deaton, GDC President) is so good bringing businesses to Greer we have got to get our people to work there and not necessarily have people from, say Asheville, drive into Greer for jobs.”
Bonds Career Center students cut the metal logo showcased Thursday night. “They have an amazing program and most people don’t know about it,” Owens said. “So now it’s our time to put that workforce together in a unique and an artistic way.” The Bonds welding students has frequently won national honors.
• YouTube video.