Privacy Policy

1. Information We May Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:

• Name
• Business, employer, or organization name
• Job title
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Mailing or billing address
• Membership information
• Event or program registration information
• Training-program eligibility and employer information
• Newsletter and communication preferences
• Information included in messages or form submissions
• Transaction information associated with memberships, sponsorships, registrations, or purchases

Payment-card information may be processed by an authorized third-party payment provider. SCEDC may not directly receive or store complete payment-card numbers.

2. Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information may be collected automatically through cookies, analytics tools, server logs, and similar technologies. This may include:

• Internet Protocol address
• Browser and device type
• Operating system
• Pages viewed and links selected
• Date and time of the visit
• Referring website or search term
• General geographic region
• Website and campaign interactions

3. How We Use Information

SCEDC may use collected information to:

• Respond to questions, inquiries, and assistance requests
• Provide information about SCEDC programs and services
• Evaluate employer interest or potential eligibility for workforce and training programs
• Process memberships, registrations, payments, and sponsorships
• Manage member accounts and benefits
• Send newsletters, event notices, and program updates
• Schedule consultations or information sessions
• Improve our website, communications, and services
• Measure outreach and advertising performance
• Maintain website security and prevent misuse
• Meet administrative, accounting, and legal obligations

4. Forms and Marketing-Automation Services

SCEDC uses third-party platforms to host forms, manage contact records, send communications, and measure engagement. These services may include SharpSpring and related Constant Contact services.

Information submitted through an embedded form may be processed and stored by these service providers on SCEDC’s behalf. These providers maintain their own privacy and security practices.

5. Email Communications

When you subscribe to an SCEDC newsletter, request information, register for a program, or otherwise ask to receive updates, we may send communications about SCEDC programs, events, services, opportunities, and regional economic-development activities.

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails by selecting the unsubscribe link contained in the message. We may continue to send necessary administrative or transactional messages related to a registration, membership, payment, or pending request.

6. Cookies, Analytics, and Advertising

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Support normal website functions
• Remember visitor preferences
• Understand how visitors use the website
• Measure website and campaign performance
• Improve navigation and content
• Support Google Analytics, Google Ads, and related services

You may adjust or block cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some website features operate.

7. Memberships, Registrations, and Payments

SCEDC may use WooCommerce and third-party payment providers to process memberships, event registrations, sponsorships, or other transactions.

Information associated with a transaction may include contact, billing, order, membership, and registration details. Payment information may be transmitted securely to the applicable payment processor.

8. How We May Share Information

SCEDC may share information with service providers that assist with:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Forms and marketing automation
• Email delivery and communication management
• Analytics and advertising measurement
• Payment and transaction processing
• Membership administration
• Event and program management
• Information technology and security

We may also disclose information when required by law, when reasonably necessary to protect SCEDC or others, with your consent, or at your direction.

SCEDC does not sell personal information in exchange for monetary payment.

9. Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to provide requested services, administer memberships and programs, maintain appropriate business records, satisfy reporting or contractual requirements, and meet applicable legal or accounting obligations.

10. Data Security

SCEDC uses reasonable administrative, organizational, and technical measures intended to protect information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, or alteration.

However, no website, email system, database, or internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

11. Your Choices and Requests

You may contact SCEDC to:

• Update or correct information you provided
• Change your communication preferences
• Unsubscribe from marketing communications
• Ask questions about how your information is being used
• Request access to or deletion of certain information, subject to applicable legal, contractual, and operational requirements

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

12. Links to Other Websites

Our website may link to government agencies, educational institutions, partner organizations, registration services, social-media platforms, and other third-party websites.

SCEDC is not responsible for the privacy, security, accessibility, or content practices of third-party websites. We encourage visitors to review the privacy policy of each external website.

13. Children’s Privacy

SCEDC’s website and services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13.

14. Changes to This Privacy Policy

SCEDC may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our programs, website, technology, service providers, or applicable requirements.

The “Last Updated” date at the top of the page identifies when this policy was most recently revised.

15. Contact Us

Questions or requests regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to: