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New Carolina Director Touts Progress at Economic Outlook Conference

Columbia, SC—New Carolina, the state’s Council on Competitiveness, has made significant progress since its creation in 2004 toward building clusters and improving South Carolina’s business environment. George Fletcher, the group’s executive director, delivered this message to attendees at USC Moore School of Business’ annual Economic Outlook Conference, held today in Columbia.

New Carolina is working with stakeholder groups to raise per capita income in South Carolina by focusing on core clusters and increasing the state’s capacity for innovation and productivity via a stronger education system and a more attractive environment for business.

"Higher per capita income is directly correlated to higher education levels," said Fletcher.

Fletcher referred to New Carolina’s recently released annual report, which notes advancements within the 8 statewide and 12 regional clusters the organization has identified as central to South Carolina’s ability to compete in the global economy. In the past year, New Carolina has placed dedicated staff called Change Agents in the Lowcountry, Midlands and Upstate to facilitate the development and start-up of clusters on a regional scale.

Some highlights from the various cluster initiatives:

Tourism. In November 2005, New Carolina’s Tourism Cluster Committee commissioned consultant Michael MacNulty to complete a tourism action plan that details long-range plans for eight Tourism Destination Areas (TDAs). New Carolina’s Tourism Cluster is establishing guidelines for product development grants that will fund projects in these TDAs and leverage money appropriated by the state legislature in 2007 with local match funds. The cluster is also forming a private sector group to give the industry one
voice on important issues.

Textiles and Apparel. New Carolina commissioned a study on the economic impact of textiles on South Carolina’s economy; the results show that the state’s textile industry is not dead, but changing, and still has a total economic impact of $21.9 billion.

Alternate Energy (includes Agribusiness, Hydrogen & Fuel Cells, and Nuclear). New Carolina serves on an advisory board as part of the Palmetto Institute’s agribusiness initiative, which has developed a strategic plan for boosting rural economies through innovations in agribusiness, including biomass.

To view New Carolina’s full annual report, please visit http://www.newcarolina.org and click on the annual report icon at the top right of the home page.

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Together with partners, S.C.’s Council on Competitiveness is driving the movement towards a New Carolina—a South Carolina with a brighter future and a competitive, winning economy. The focus is on a strategy to play to the strengths of the state’s core industries, emphasize education, and build an environment that fosters innovation. For more information, visit http://www.newcarolina.org

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