Inaugural Governor’s Economic Summit addresses future needs of Palmetto State industries

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — For the past few years, South Carolina’s economy has enjoyed economic growth in several industries.

Monday, this was the focus of the inaugural Governor’s Economic Summit held in downtown Columbia.

“We’re about that partnership that we create with the businesses that are here in South Carolina,” said Harry Lightsey III, South Carolina secretary of commerce. “It’s about that people to people connection, our workforce and what our people do to make businesses globally competitive.”

With a large number of manufacturing jobs coming into South Carolina, state leaders recognize a need to prepare the state’s workforce. Governor Henry McMaster has supported investment into the state’s technical colleges in order to create that workforce of tomorrow.

“In order for us to remain globally competitive, we’re going to retool and reskill workers many times over the course of their careers,” Lightsey said. “Our government is here to make sure that we have the resources available to our workers and students to do that.”

The Governor’s Economic Summit stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the future of South Carolina, especially with the addition of Scout Motors coming to nearby Blythewood.

“If you see where technology is heading globally, this is where it’s heading. If you look at where innovation is happening, this is where it’s happening,” said Scott Keough, Scout Motors CEO. “The thing we need to be focused on is the consumer side of that equation. That comes down to convenience and cost. These are the things we’re going to move on every day.”

In addition to Scout Motors and other manufacturers, South Carolina has also seen growth in the life science industry. 

To keep up with the state’s growth however, the governor says South Carolina needs to invest in renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

“All of the above but nuclear cannot be left out. Nuclear is clear as a whistle and works 24 hours a day,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “With the small modular reactors coming out, there’s no reason we can’t be at the forefront of that now.”