In 1971, Governor John Carl West appointed me the first African American to hold an administrative position on a South Carolina chief executive’s staff -- at least as far as we know.  I feel certain, however, that a memorandum I saw while serving in that capacity was not intended for my eyes.  The memorandum had been written by an economic development consultant and listed counties to be avoided when recruiting industry to the state.  These counties were all rural and all predominantly black.  The theory was that South Carolina, a right to work state, could see the proliferation of labor unions if industries located in these counties because African Americans were deemed to be “joiners.”  At the time I didn’t understand the significance of what I had seen.  Today I do. 

Many of the counties once labeled as ones to avoid now fall within the Sixth Congressional District.  I see the affects of this long-standing, unofficial economic development policy every day. Years of neglect have caused these counties to find themselves with severe quality of life gaps.  Over the next few months my Commentaries will focus on these gaps. 

As I travel throughout the District, residents seeking my help to improve their quality of life greet me at every stop.  Their needs are so basic: a decent job, clean drinking water, quality health care, affordable housing and a first-rate education system.  These issues are things many South Carolinians take for granted.  But for many of my constituents, these basic human rights all Americans have come to expect are far beyond their reach.

             Economic development is an umbrella overarching all the other pieces of this puzzle.  To get a feel for the severity of the problem let’s look at a 67-mile stretch of I-95 and I-85 where they intersect with I-26 about 140 miles apart.  Ten years ago the I-85/I-26 stretch in the Greenville/Spartanburg/Anderson area was home to 736 industries producing 67,390 jobs.  The I-95/I-26 stretch from Walterboro to Manning claimed only 95 industries providing just 8,924 jobs. 

According to the most recent census, the average per capita income for Calhoun, Clarendon, Colleton, Dorchester, Orangeburg, and Sumter counties is $15,541, over $3500 less than the state’s average of $19,037.  Unemployment in the above six counties run about two percentage points higher in any given month than the state’s average.  And in the nearby counties of Marion and Williamsburg the monthly unemployment rate is usually two and three times the state’s average. 

The tax base generated in this region is only half the statewide average.  For these six counties, the value of a mill (the standard upon which taxes are collected) averages just above $100,000 compared to $195,000 statewide.  These are the funds used to support the quality of life issues I am challenged to correct every day -- things like school improvement, and access to clean water and reliable sewer. 

Closing these gaps will take time and focus.  From the day I took office - ten years ago - I committed myself to improving the quality of life for my constituents.  I am proud of what has been accomplished but it will take longer than a decade to witness significant progress. 

In subsequent issues of this series, I will focus on the projects underway to close these quality of life gaps.  Please join me as we continue to take a look at these important issues and discuss some viable solutions.

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