US Rep. Clyburn, US Commerce Secretary Pritzker talk trade

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker is visiting South Carolina to talk about how trade and exports affect the state.

On Friday, Pritzker is speaking at IT-oLogy, a nonprofit collaboration of businesses, academic institutions and organizations dedicated to helping fill tech-related jobs.

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin are also expected to speak.

Officials from the Minority Business Development Agency, the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the U.S. Commercial Service and the Economic Development Administration are also scheduled to participate in a panel discussion. The talk will center on what the Department of Commerce can do to encourage economic development and job creation in South Carolina.

In 2014, total goods exports from South Carolina reached $29.7 billion. Officials say that's up 38 percent since 2009.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.