Williamsburg-Lake City EC
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State: South Carolina
Counties (Census Tracts): Williamsburg (9702, 9704, 9705, 9707, 9708, 9709), Florence (2201)
Community Population: 28,920
Community Area: 699 square miles
Poverty Rate: 34%
Unemployment Rate: 11.3%
Children Living in Poverty: 40%
Education: Only 30% of the residents have a high school diploma
Overview
The Williamsburg County and Lake City Enterprise Community is located in low-country, east central South Carolina, and spans portions of Florence and Williamsburg Counties. The landscape is relatively flat and is characterized by extensive timberlands and river marshes. The Enterprise Community includes two medium-sized municipalities, the towns of Kingstree and Lake City.
In December of 1995, one of Williamsburg County's largest industrial employers will relocate to Malaysia. The company currently employs 850 workers, and in the past has employed up to 1,600. It currently pays the highest wage scale in the country and provides job opportunities for numerous trades and contractors.
The community came together through initial efforts by the South Carolina State University 1890 Extension Program, which was pursuing economic development opportunities through a small farmers outreach training and technical assistance project. One of the strategies involves developing new markets for local farmers through manufacturing of food products. The strategic plan seeks to develop the community's human resources in order to attract industry and to become more competitive. It also seeks to develop planning mechanisms to take advantage of the new energies and strategies that were generated through the process of submitting an application to the program.
Key Activities
Economic Opportunity:
The community intends to improve industrial parks and facilities, expand the water and sewer systems, and diversify the employment base. Collaborative efforts will be entered into with the Williamsburg County Development Board, South Carolina Job Services, Williamsburg County Council and the Florence County Council for industrial growth and industry retention. They will establish a loan fund that is directed at beginning entrepreneurs, to ensure the availability of capital. In addition, the plan calls for new training programs, in conjunction with private sector employers, to increase the pool of highly skilled workers and new vocational options at the high school level. Additionally, they will work with the chambers of commerce to recruit industry to utilize and develop value-added processes for the agricultural products grown in the community.
Sustainable Economic and Community Development
A strong emphasis will be placed on the educational system, to ensure that resources are available for modern technology and a forward looking curriculum that will focus on business and industry opportunities. Collaboration with health care providers and service agencies will be developed in order to provide essential services to low-income residents.
Major Public Sector Commitments
Local Government Resources:
Commitments from the Chamber of Commerce and the County Development Board to provide support of the development plans. The County Department of Alcohol and Drug Use has committed to form partnerships to address the needs identified by the community.
State Government Resources:
The state will invest $1,00,000 over the next two years in Williamsburg County for the Healthy Start project. The State Development Board commits to providing assistance in the implementation of the plan. The Department of Highways and Public Transportation commits to support the community in obtaining new businesses for the county.
Major Private Sector Commitments
A number of private organizations have agreed to assist with the implementation, including South Carolina Institute on Poverty & Deprivation, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company, Santee Electric Cooperative, and Williamsburg First National Bank.
Contact:
Name: Lillie Mc Gill Address: P.O. Box 428, 2104 Thurdgood Marshall Hwy. Kingstree, SC 29556 Phone: 843-355-9070 Fax: 843-355-3252 Email: ecwecc@ftc-i.net
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