CEDS 2013-2017: st Building 21 Century Economic Development Capacity Anderson Cherokee Greenville Oconee Pickens Spartanburg A 5-Year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Appalachian Region of South Carolina Produced by: The South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments Submitted to: The U.S. Economic Development Administration – September 2012 Serving Six Counties and Forty-Two Municipalities since 1965 Anderson • Cherokee • Greenville • Oconee • Pickens • Spartanburg Planning Division 30 Century Circle P.O. Box 6668 Greenville, SC 29606 (864) 242-9733 Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Section I: Introduction.................................................................................................................................. 8 Background and Purpose of the CEDS ...................................................................................................... 9 About SCACOG ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Plan Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 11 Section II: Appalachian Regional Overview ............................................................................................... 14 Appalachian Region: Economic History, Location, and Condition .......................................................... 15 Economic Development History ......................................................................................................... 15 Economic Location .............................................................................................................................. 15 Current Economic Condition ............................................................................................................... 16 County Snapshots ....................................................................................................................................... 23 Section III: CEDS Areas of Emphasis ........................................................................................................... 36 Clusters, Target Industries and Innovation Capacities............................................................................ 37 Background: The Upstate Alliance ...................................................................................................... 37 The Industrial Base and Clusters ......................................................................................................... 37 Target Industries ................................................................................................................................. 38 Strategic Plan: Clusters, Target Industries and Innovation Capacities ............................................. 44 Workforce Development ........................................................................................................................ 45 Workforce Development Programs: A South Carolina Inventory ....................................................... 45 Four Year Colleges and Universities .................................................................................................... 47 State-Wide Strategies and Goals Supported by the Region ............................................................... 48 Strategic Plan: Workforce Development ........................................................................................... 50 Infrastructure .......................................................................................................................................... 51 Highways and Roads ........................................................................................................................... 51 Water and Sewer ................................................................................................................................ 52 Airports and Seaports ......................................................................................................................... 53 Rail Service and the Inland Port .......................................................................................................... 54 Power, Natural Gas and Telecommunications .................................................................................... 54 Aging Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................ 54 Strategic Plan: Infrastructure ............................................................................................................. 55 Available Sites and Buildings ................................................................................................................... 56 The Availability of Product .................................................................................................................. 56 Background: Infomentum ................................................................................................................... 56 Available Sites ..................................................................................................................................... 56 Available Buildings .............................................................................................................................. 57 Regional Inventory .............................................................................................................................. 58 Strategic Plan: Available Sites and Buildings .................................................................................... 60 Entrepreneurship .................................................................................................................................... 61 Incubators, Accelerators, and Soft Landings Programs ...................................................................... 62 Entrepreneur Friendly Communities .................................................................................................. 63 Strategic Plan: Entrepreneurship ....................................................................................................... 64 Access to Capital ..................................................................................................................................... 65 Finance ................................................................................................................................................ 65 Grants .................................................................................................................................................. 66 Tax Credits ........................................................................................................................................... 66 Strategic Plan: Access to Capital ........................................................................................................ 67 Local Asset-Based Economic Development ............................................................................................ 68 Tourism ............................................................................................................................................... 68 Downtown Development .................................................................................................................... 69 Agribusiness ........................................................................................................................................ 69 Resources for Local Asset-Based Economic Development ................................................................. 70 Strategic Plan: Local Asset-Based Economic Development .............................................................. 71 Section IV: Summary of Strategic Plans by Area of Emphasis .................................................................. 72 Section V: Vital Projects and Performance Measures............................................................................... 80 Section VI: Conclusion ................................................................................................................................ 84 A Plan of Action ....................................................................................................................................... 85 6 SC Appalachian Region CEDS 2013-2017 Executive Summary The following Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy document:  Is submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) by the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments (SCACOG), which is the EDA Economic Development District for the Appalachian Region of South Carolina;  Was prepared by SCACOG staff under the guidance of a special appointed CEDS Advisory Committee;  Describes the history, condition and location of the region as well as the economic profile of each county;  Identifies regional economic and workforce development challenges and opportunities based on interviews with local economic developers, workforce developers, and the private sector;  Consults local, regional, and state economic and workforce plans and studies to gather valuable data and to ensure consistency of priorities between Region and State;  Focuses on seven Areas of Emphasis for regional economic development: (1) Clusters, Target Industries and Innovation Capacities, (2) Workforce Development, (3) Infrastructure, (4) Available Sites and Buildings, (5) Entrepreneurship, (6) Access to Capital, and (7) Local Asset- Based Economic Development;  Provides a strategic plan table for each area of emphasis, which includes Goals, Objectives, Strategic Projects, Programs, and Activities;  Identifies Vital Project areas for on-going CEDS implementation and annual reporting;  Establishes qualitative and quantitative performance measures for vital projects;  Calls for a CEDS 2013-2017 Plan of Action which: o Promotes economic development and opportunity; o Fosters effective transportation access; o Enhances and protects the environment; o Maximizes effective development and use of the workforce consistent with any applicable State or local workforce investment strategy; o Promotes the use of technology in economic development, including access to high- speed telecommunications; o Balances resources through sound management of physical development; and o Obtains and utilizes funds and other resources. Executive Summary 7 8 SC Appalachian Region CEDS 2013-2017 Section I: Introduction Section I: Introduction 9 Background and Purpose of the CEDS The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a program of the United States Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (PWEDA) requires federally designated “Economic Development Districts”, such as the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments (SCACOG), to develop and maintain a CEDS in order to (1) establish a regional economic development strategy, and (2) maintain the region’s eligibility for EDA grant competition and programs. The program requires annual updates of the CEDS as well as a full re-write of the CEDS at least every five years. In 2007, SCACOG submitted to EDA a new five-year CEDS entitled, “CEDS 2007-2012: Forging the Future for Economic Development”. After fulfilling the required annual updates each year since then, the coming five year period calls for a new regional CEDS. CEDS 2013-2017: Building 21st Century Economic Development Capacity is the work of many committed individuals from both the private and public sector who desire to support the continued, positive growth of the South Carolina Appalachian region. The region is made up of six counties and 42 municipalities existing within those counties (see table on the following page). As required by the CEDS program, this strategic plan “is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.”1 CEDS 2013-2017 will serve as a guide for regional economic development goals, objectives and performance measures. About SCACOG SCACOG is a voluntary organization of local governments in the Northwest corner of South Carolina, serving a region which includes the counties of Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg. Since its formation in 1965, the Council has served the dual mission of tackling issues of regional significance and providing services to local governments. Economic and community development, transportation, infrastructure development, resource management, aging services, and workforce development are all issues of regional importance in which SCACOG takes an active role. At the local level, the agency’s services include general administration, technical assistance, training, planning, grant writing & administration, and information & mapping services. 1 U.S. Department of Commerce CEDS Summary Requirements 10 SC Appalachian Region CEDS 2013-2017 Counties and Municipalities of the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments City of Anderson (County Seat) City of Belton Town of Honea Path Town of Iva Anderson County Town of Pelzer Town of Pendleton Town of Starr Town of West Pelzer Town of Williamston Town of Blacksburg Cherokee County City of Gaffney (County Seat) City of Fountain Inn City of Greenville (County Seat) City of Greer Greenville County City of Mauldin City of Simpsonville City of Travelers Rest Town of Salem City of Seneca Oconee County City of Walhalla (County Seat) City of Westminster Town of West Union Town of Central City of Clemson City of Easley Pickens County City of Liberty Town of Norris City of Pickens (County Seat) Town of Six Mile Town of Campobello Town of Central Pacolet City of Chesnee Town of Cowpens Town of Duncan City of Inman Spartanburg County City of Landrum Town of Lyman Town of Pacolet Town of Reidville City of Spartanburg (County Seat) City of Wellford City of Woodruff