How are universities involved with economic development?

By Mike Switzer

Published May 29, 2024 at 6:30 AM EDT

Dr. Stephen Cutler with the Office of Economic Engagement at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. — Dr. Stephen Cutler with the office of Economic Engagement at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Many universities across the country have an office dedicated to economic outreach, including our state’s flagship university which just brought in a new leader for that office. Mike Switzer interviews Dr. Stephen Cutler, who now runs the office of Economic Engagement at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

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Mike Switzer

After almost 20 years, Mike Switzer retired from Wells Fargo Securities in 2001 as Senior Vice President/Investment Officer and Certified Portfolio Manager. In 1999, he and his wife, Maggie, purchased and operated for eight years the Baskin Robbins ice cream store on Forest Drive in Columbia. They grew the store from a bottom-tier operation in the Baskin Robbins franchise system to one in the top 5% nationwide within three years, tripling sales along the way. While operating the ice cream store, Mike and Maggie received patents for a portable ice cream sink and fold-down sneezeguard they invented and in 2002 started Magnolia Carts, an ice cream cart manufacturing company, which they sold in 2013.

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