Jim Benson, who opened his first used car lot in Greer in 1956, received South Carolina's highest civilian honor Oct. 27 at a Greenville Tech Foundation event.

Jim Benson, the Greer businessman behind Benson Automotive, has received the Order of the Palmetto. It is South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

He received it Oct. 27 at the Greenville Tech Foundation’s Champions for Student Success event. State Sen. Jason Elliott presented the award. State Sen. Ross Turner recommended Benson for it.

That comes from Greenville Technical College’s announcement. The college said the honor recognizes his lifetime of service, leadership and contributions to the state.

From a used car lot to a family business

The college’s announcement traces Benson’s working life:

  • he delivered newspapers and worked at a service station and a textile mill
  • he served in the U.S. Army Reserve
  • at 17, he began moving cars from Pennsylvania to South Carolina to sell
  • in 1956, he opened his first used car dealership in Greer
  • by 1964, he was selling new Chrysler and Plymouth vehicles

Benson Automotive is now a family-owned business with dealerships in Greer and Easley. His children and grandchildren help run it, the college said.

The Benson Campus

In 2014, Benson and his wife, Evelyn, gave $3 million to Greenville Tech’s Greer campus. The college renamed it the Benson Campus.

The gift paid for campus expansion and improvements, including an amphitheater and a pavilion. It remains the largest cash gift in the college’s history, Gina Blohm, executive director of the Greenville Tech Foundation, said.

“His generosity has allowed students to have access to educational opportunities close to home,” Blohm said.

The Benson Campus is on West McElhaney Road, with a Taylors mailing address. It is also home to Greer Middle College Charter High School.

Service beyond the business

Turner pointed to three causes in particular:

  • the Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce
  • Greenville Technical College
  • Greer Community Ministries

“His philanthropy has quietly but meaningfully impacted education, workforce development, and families in need across our region,” Turner said.

Larry Miller, president of Greenville Technical College, tied the campus to the region’s growth in manufacturing, logistics, health care and technology. “The Benson Campus provides Jim’s neighbors with accessible, high-quality education that prepares them for the opportunities arriving every day,” Miller said.

The Benson name is also on the city’s Benson Automotive Kids Planet at Century Park, on Brushy Creek Road.

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