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Coastal Zone COASTAL ZONE information ~~~~~~~~~I6X 0 HC 1 07 Al A3 1 197 3 r Property of CSC Library U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CENTER 2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413 COASTAL PLAINS REGIONAL COMMISSION 0 s This is the story of a region-the Coastal system and the institution of slavery which Plains of North Carolina, South Carolina and accompanied it held propertyless most of Georgia-and its use of a new means- those who worked on the soil. Then came the regionalism-to solve age-old problems of debilitating and impoverishing effects of a economic lag. long civil war, which itself was succeeded by TheCoatalPlansthrughut ts 50 eara period of economic colonialism which saw Thisoy Coasthad Painsethratehout dsintsi30vea the. profits of industry flowing to other charatery, geographicsecarate andditniv regions rich in capital. Finally, the great cultralcOedtermiin featuraphic, becnoi an depression of the 30's left the Region culturall Line, wherichn seatrves has thewesen prostrate and without the means of recovery breofthe Fallgione, whchsroea the hilstbeyond available to other parts of the country. When theriversra ove that geogicn Frmshehlls beynd, industry did begin to burgeon in the national the rvr reaftoer fwi tlyat theoAlantic. Thshlan economy during and after World War II, the theraftr fow qiiely o te Atantc. his Coastal Plains was ill-prepared to participate was important in the early history of the The-re was growth, but largely growth in Region, since it marked the western limit of taItinl ho-ae idsre eadn easy river transportation and therefore of the trdtoalow-wagero sindus.ethrthfaities deandin great plantations. It was the plantationlooreofsis.Nthrheaciisan economy and the plantation culture which services nor the investment capital and largly hapd te edurng harcte ofthemanagerial experience were there to enable Coastaly Plaped Londrng cafater ofthe plnainthe Region to share fully in the new national INTRODUCTION ~~~~its influence continued to be felt. It's passing Such was the situation in the Coastal Plains left a void which other forms of productive when the Congress, in 1965, passed the Puiblic enterprise have not yet been able to fill Works and Economic Development Act. completely. Concern had grown throughout the country This has not been because of any lack of over the loss to the national well-being aspiration or of industry on the part of the resulting from the economic un- Region's people. From the time when the first derdevelopment of certain areas Not only settlers cleared the wilderness to establish a did such areas not make their full potential living base on the new continent, down to contribution to the national economy, but the latest surge in industrial activity, the also they added to the problems of our ur- Coasal lain peplehavegivn thmseves banizing society by sending unskilled, low Coatal Planseople have gntaivent themtselves income migrants into the cities in search of buithdinegy angod sointaiety Bto they taskeo job opportunities which often did not exist. btuggledin a goodnstormidbetyu obthacles In Title V of the new Act, Congress focused strugled aainstformdableobstales.on lagging regions Suich as the Coastal Plains, For most of its history the Coastal Plains authorizing a new form of Federal-State economy depended mainly on an agriculture partnership to Stimuilate planned economic based on soil depleting crops. The plantation development To carry out this program, the law provided for regional commissions the Commission began to prepare a com- In the pages to follow, we hope to bring consisting of the Governors of the par- prehensive Regional Economic Development about a clearer understanding of the Region's ticipating States and a Federal member, who Plan. problems, its potentials and more im- would be Cochairman, along with one of the The Plan was d f portantly, of the Commission's role in making State members. The Coastal Plains Regional 7andcompete in te spring o use of the underutilized human and natural 1971 and adopted by the Commission on Commission was established in July 1967.It was later resources abounding in this vast area all with August 30 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was later n eta hm-civmn o e one central theme--achievement of the The first task of the Coastal Plains Com- approved by the Secretary of Commerce, as ultimate goal of closing the income gap. mission in the fall of that year was to study required by law, and submitted to the Office ultimate goal of closing the income gap. the Region's economic problems and for- of the President for review. mulate an action program to alleviate them. The Economic Development Plan is a The Economic Development Plan is a The Commission collected and analyzed data document based on extensive research into document based on extensive research into relating to the Region's characteristics and regional problems and potentialities and on resources, interviewed government officials e pr em o oea s o n EXTENT OF THE INCOME GAP the experience of four years of in- and civic, educational and business leaders ateand lciv ledation gandine ers tergovernmental cooperation for regional between the Coastal Plains Region at the State and local levels to gain further insights concerning the Region's needs, economic development. and the United States insights concerning the Region's needs, aspirations, and potentials. After examining The Coastal Plains Regional Commission Per Capita Income various possible goals, it was determined that makes no claim for having discovered a ./ u.s. per capita income was the best indicator of panacea for all the ills affecting the Coastal US the Region's economic well-being. At that Plains Region. But through diligent effort and 1,042 $4000 time, the difference in annual per capita rational analysis, the Commission has income between the residents of the Coastal ferreted out the root causes of the economic 913 $3500 913 $3500 Plains and their counterparts across the deprivation suffered by this once bustling Nation was nearly $1,000. region. With this knowledge, the CPRC has 851 devised a practical and workable means for8 - $3000 The Commission's goal therefore, was set effecting the dynamic changes which can 87/, as narrowing and eventually closing the per eeing e dnmic , wih lead to enduring progress toward economic capita income gap s e parating the Region andwith the Nation. $2500 parity with the Nation. the Nation. 851"8 $2000 The Commission adopted an Initial Action Planning Document on January 19, 1968, which explained its goal of closing this gap, $1500 described the strategy for achieving this goal and established target areas for intensified - $1000 efforts to produce accelerated growth. It Absolute Gap 41~ o u e ' $5. then began to assist Federal, State and local 419 307 agencies to expand the scope of their 50 planning and made funds available for urgently needed projects. At the same time, 1929 1940 1950 1959 1962 1965 196719681970 Year 2 - ,-S---- - - - -- W~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--- 'NM ---4 1 2u A second reason for this lag is because wage rates paid by these already low-paying industries to workers in the Region are below 'H[ lh e e y 7--e 7the Re*-, i71 the national average paid to workers in other .......... .. ; ............,M ..I.. regions for the same jobs. This obviously ........,, 1.'..N.: , :; , ....... compounds an already serious problem. Another contributing factor is the lower- u�~�- �:,� N... ,,,<:N g........-,, ,,,:, ~ than-average civilian participation rate--that l. 11....@ q lr ; Wlr< . c, .;,,is the ratio of persons employed in the labor SKI' LV.... ';,s: force to the total population. The par- s":>~G: RE�l �;,; I�:,,,S,;.::,',,~,~4 , / .... ticipation rate in the Coastal Plains is lower REGIOV i ;N%,',~ ,CA;PI,:7,TL, pG EMPLOYMENT DISTRIBUTION -",,,.AP ITAL NWV ESTMEN, ;,;, Historically, the Coastal Plains Region has PATC ATI ATER PK been bound together by its social, cultural ___'*a __ and historic heritage. The most common Research done by the Commission has AGRICULTURE DURABLE NON- bond, however, has been it's economic given added credibility to what had been & FORESTRY MANUFACTURING DURABLES evolution. recognized before. That is, the income gap in The Region has been trapped in a cycle of the Region is a result of several basic self generating low income levels. Incomes problems. depend heavily on a low wage industrial First, the Region's industrial mix is structure which pays wages below those paid generally characterized by low-wage, labor- by the same industries elsewhere in the intensive industry. For example, the four -_ Nation. These income conditions placed in a manufacturing sectors paying the lowest TRADE SERVICE F.i.R.E. heavily rural environment bring about a average wage per worker nationally-textiles, shortage of public facilities necessary for the apparel, lumber, and food processing- betterment of society. Lack of population account for more than 60 percent of concentrations along with low incomes (and manufacturing employment in the Region. out migration which erodes even further the The five manufacturing sectors with the L tax base in some areas) make delivery of highest average wage per worker adequate public services difficult if not nationally-chemicals, electrical machinery, CIVLIAN MILITARY OTHER impossible. This, in turn, perpetuates the transportation equipment, petroleum, and GOVERNMENT conditions and qualities of life, education, fabricated metals-account for only 14 and health which once again generate percent of the Region's manufacturing REGION ENATION substandard incomes. employment. 4 INDUSTRIAL MIX-1 967 Region, which according to the Census if no substantial additional economic 69 Bureau definition is anyone who has com- development effort takes place- 63 62 pleted fewer than five years of schooling, and / ' 43 gfully one-fifth of the adults in the Region fit The Region's per capita income in 1980 / /W/ into this category. will still be approximately $1,000 below This low level of educational attainment the Nation's; Ad22.3 16 has taken its toll in skill levels and potential Most new jobs will be in low wage 5.1 / tow 92 I' / for advancement into higher paying jobs- industries; A 92 thus the Region is suffering from an over- The quantity of manpower will be more TEXTILES7 APPAREL64 whelming amount of underemployment as than ample to fill the new jobs; 47 n I S opposed to unemployment which per- however petuates the income gap At least 100,000 workers will leave the If current trends are allowed to continue- Region. 10.6 10.9 X_ ,X9 3 3 / , �R.gs A/ It's �-*I 3t _- 3.3 LUMBER FOOD 109 % of Manufacturing Employment 1 REGION E NATION _ _ % of Average Manufacturing Wage OTHER REGION � NATION than the Nation's by some 5 percent. This is accounted for in part by the relative scarcity of jobs paying wages high enough to attract _ potential workers into the labor force _ Finally, a high proportion of workers in the -T' Z , Region and of those who will soon enter the labor force have less education and training than their counterparts in the more in- _ dustrialized regions of the Nation. Latest statistics show that the average adult in the United States has completed 10.6 years of - - formal schooling while the average adult In the Region has completed only 8.9 years. Further complicating this problem is the high - number of "functional illiterates" In the. - .- - This sub par performance cannot bes rc allowed to continue. Fortunately, one of the Reso es e eole of the Reio most important resources of the Region is the five million people who live there. Efforts to of th eio These natural advantages would mean improve the quality of these people is one o little without people willing and able to use way to break the cycle of low incomes and them wisely. The Coastal Plains Region has low skills and low incomes. Productivity and The Coastal Plains Region extends for such people. earnings can be raised by raising the levels of TeCatlPan einetnsfr sc epe erigcabrasdyriigtleeson ea rly 600 miles in a southwesterly direction They are part of a Nation-but distinct education and skills of workers and managers from Virginia's southern border to Florida's in their heritage and tradition. They are in the Region, and by improving the func- northern border. It begins at the fall line in people descended from rural folk imbued tioning of labor markets bythr improved.I eisa tefl ie tioning of labor markets by improved the Carolinas and Georgia and slopes gently with pride in their culture and history. They communication concerning job op- to the Atlantic Ocean nearly 150 miles to the live in small communities and large cities; portunities. southeast. they work on farms and in stores, plants and Many of the changes which have occurred offices. Together they comprise an asset in the Region in recent years are slowly Nine major rivers meander across the more highly prized than any other the Region improving the structure of the economy The Region before mingling with the waters of possesses. Region's economy is in a period of transition, the Atlantic in its sounds, marshes, and But many of those born and reared there and it is taking on more of the characteristics estuaries. In addition to these rivers, the have left to find better opportunities of the broader, urbanized, national economy Region possesses any saller surface elsewhere. This out-migration has intensified of which it is an integral part. streams, lakes and ponds, salt water estuaries, the social problems in the cities to which protected waterways, harbors, and ample However, major changes in the Region's ple ro nd a e they have gone and has further impoverished economic structure must be achieved in the supplies of ground water. the towns they left. economic structure must be achieved in the The Region has 600 miles of coastline, decade of the '70's if the goals for the Region he ion aes of stie, One thing is clear, however, the citizens of nearly three million acres of estuaries, and are to be achieved. thre miles of etie a the Coastal Plains Region are dedicated to thousands of square miles of continental The potential for bringing about these shelf including the Blake Plateau. The vasthe desire to accelerate sound economic shelf including the Blake Plateau. The vast changes is there-it exists within the vast economicdevelopment and thus reverse the trends of economic potentials represented by these human and natural resources with which the marine resources have scarcely been tapped . marine resources have scarcely been tapped. Coastal Plains is blessed. Hardwoods suitable for furniture Now through the medium of the Coastal Hardwoods suitable for furniture manufacturing and softwoods suitable for Plains Regional Commission, the catalyst is at manuacturing and home building and manufacturing paint, hand for blending these resources together home building and manufacturing paint, paper, chemicals, and synthetic fibers grow with comprehensive and imaginative in the Region's dense forests which are also planning to put these forces to work on the in te ion forthi becoming increasingly important for their task of full development of the R egcreational uses. economic potential. Let us turn now to an examination of some The Region's level terrain also favors in- Lutrof these rexmnosources. dustrialization. It permits roads and in- dustrial plants to be constructed in the Region relatively inexpensively. /[ 6 framework for program planning, the The Economic Development Plan contains Commission has designated certain program a statement of specific goals within each of areas for intensive study. these program areas In general they are as COALS ~~~These include: -follows: industrial Development-To alter the Industrial DevelopmentRegion's industrial structure to include more high/wage, high/growth industries while FOR IHI ~~~~Human Resources increasing productivity within the existing Marine Resources industries. Agricultre and orestryHuman Resources-To fully develop the human resources base within the Region with Tourism than presently exists. Housing Marine Resources-To bring about full and enhance the quality of the marine en- It is recognized that no program for the vironment. economic development of the Coastal Plains Agriculture and Forestry-To increase the The goal of the Coastal Plains Regional Region has a chance of being implemented productivity and incomes of agricultural Commission, as has been stated, is to close unless it takes into account national goals. In workers through the development of more the income gap that exists between the other words, the program designed for the efficient production and marketing Region and the rest of the Nation. This goal Coastal Plains Region must not only achievetehiusadhenrocinofame was first stated in the initial action planning regional goals but must also contribute to the prftehiusandlte commoductioyo mix. program of the Commission and has achievement of the nation's goals. National prftbecmoiyix remained the overall goal throughout the goals taken into consideration in designing a Tourism-To create a coherent system of planning process program include the following: tourist attractions that will make the Region This is an ambitious goal since the income attractive to tourists from all parts of the gap has grown steadily wider over the years.______ country. Since 1950 the gap has increased from $608 Tans portation- -o construct a develop- to $1,042 in 1970. The aggregate income gap mental highway system linking the Region's in 1970 was $5.5 billion. If the current trend is growth centers and improving the quality of allowed to continue, it will cost the Region _____ ~service by existing air, water and rail trans- $60 billion in personal income in the decade portation systems. of the 1970's. Housing -To fully develop the housing The Commission while recognizing that a tbf~~ ~~industry as an integral part of the industrial comprehensive program is essential to th e~ structure of the Region and to insure that the achievement of its goal also recognizes that _lack of adequate housing is not a deterrent to it cannot undertake its efforts without some the attraction of industry to the Region. central focus. In order to provide a 7 DISTRIBUTIONS (1,000's) AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY _Ia.' "........... ii: a;.,l 3214 I _ _' r _" =_'~ 160 l _ 130 MANUFACTURING 233 DURABLES ECONOMIC _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -_ s _ _ 397 DURABLES ,l -- _ ' - - 370 TRADE _~V~LOPM~II I; ) f.S 8 I b`. v.1 ': 4 ifS .11 303 362 SERVICE _254 I..: =:iCE'%-%h"--if stl 254 _- - It>r.i2>a;ll<. i.Sk=- &,!:-;--~s-ri� 321 -_:lll~l~lU' I bIb1St369 -... . 349 In the economic development process, as with any problem solving exercise, setting GOVERNMENT goals is only an intermediate step toward could not be closed through simple public '~` "`~`a`` 4`ir`?` /`s`~: `?~~�~~~~``'il 599 656 mounting the attack on the problem itself. investments designed to improve the _. 656 Perhaps the most critical phase during the productivity of labor and capital based on OTHER evolution of the process is devising a feasible the Region's existing economic mix. More of r-- , s11'80 strategy, if implemented effectively can lead the same kinds of growth within the present :' 245 3 to the sought after solutions. economic structure would result in income 366 The basic choice of a strategy for closing gains, but would fall far short of the goal of TOTAL the income gap in the Coastal Plains Region closing the income gap. Thus, the conclusion | z 1, 178 was outlined in the Public Works and was reached that a new mix of economic , 2,500 Economic Development Act of 1965. The Act activities would have to be created in the 2,600 suggested that the Commission's goals were Region, implying that many of the underlying 31960 Census to be achieved through the economic conditions that determine economic 731970 Estimated process, involving planning and stimulation structure also would have to be changed. 91980 Proed of the underlying forces and conditions In its simplest terms, the Commission's affecting the Region's economy. strategy calls for restructuring the Region's higher paying jobs requiring higher and more Several early studies by the Commission economic structure-creating a new in- sophisticated skills than presently possessed suggested that realistically the income gap dustrial mix which will include more and by much of the Region's labor force During the period of preparing the Research Triangle Institute to determine Economic Development Plan, the Com- whether it would be possible, using realistic PRIVATE FIXED INVESTMENT mission studied many different economic constraints and assumptions, to restructure REQUIREMENTS- 55 structures, a number of which would close the Coastal Plains economy in a way that 1970-1980 (BILLIONS) the income gap projected for 1980. It was would enable the income gap to be closed by acknowledged that any new structure would 1980. The basic technique used in for- depend heavily on attracting industry which mulating a more desirable economic produced durable goods because these types structure was linear programming, a of industries are of the high/growth, high/ mathematical technique which forces wage type needed to provide the better jobs rigorous treatment of all assumptions and is needed for the projected labor force. capable of handling the numerous complex Another point taken into consideration computations involved was that the new structure should allow for The results of the analysis produced 27 2.5 opportunity for advancement for all income attainable structures, nine of which would levels. In short, this requires an effort to close the income gap projected for 1980. increase all skill levels and an opportunity for After extensive analysis, one structure of increased income for all. the many alternatives available was deemed The Commission contracted with the as most desirable and set as the objective for 1971 1973 1975 1977 1979 COASTAL PLAINS REGION * Projection of E Desired Structure DESIRED ECONOMY 1980 Present Trends AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY ..- 1980. Employment from this structure would be 2.6 million for the Region in 1980, an DURABLE MANUFACTURING -he -rojected ---el. -<--- = Je significant poiemployment increase of only 100,000 over -Ed~-'-~~~ ~the projected level. But the significant point NON-DURABLES was that the major gains under the desired structure would occur in the durable goods TRADE Income categories. Income would then rise to $36.5 ~~~SERVICE (1000,000's) billion, sufficient to close the income gap. A point bearing on the interpretation of ~~~~~~~F. I~~~~~. R.E.~ ~the "desirable" structure should be ex- plained. The structure selected and discussed Employment is only one of several structures that are GOVERNMENT - - - , 000l . GOVERNMET) reasonable and possible to attain. Other structures would either approach or actually close the projected income gap. Thus, OTHER considerable variations are possible, and in $6000 $4000 0 400 600 actual practice are likely. Moreover, it can be argued that it is impractical to effect the initiated, then this situation can be averted. desirable structure in the short period of In addition, major social benefits would seven years remaining in the decade. If the result such as reduced migration from the appropriate policies and programs are not Region, a reduction in the welfare rolls and adopted in the ensuing years this will be true. an upgrading of general health conditions-- _- In this event, 15 or 20 years may be necessary all of which are contributory factors to an _ to close the income gap. But the basic increase in the productivity of the Region's __ contention of the Commission stands: labor force. _ _ economic restructuring is a necessary _ requirement for closing the income gap. PUBLIC EXPENDITURE The cost of generating a new economic REQUIREMENTS-- _ _- -I structure in the Region over a ten-year period NET $Q9.7E- N $ 9.i 1970-1980 is enormous. But the result in terms of in- creased human productivity, income, (BILLIONS) �ii standard of living and most important to political decision makers-new tax I_ ..... revenues-is also enormous. The Commission estimates that to provide the needed new and upgraded jobs called for by the desired structure, the private sector-- that is business and industry-must invest NET $14.1 $9.1 billion in the Region over the ten years for new plants, expansion of existing industry and for new equipment. Investment by the public sector-Federal, State and local government-over the same period must amount to an additional $14.1 billion for public facilities and services to support the new structure. Expenditures Revenues These figures sound awesome. They are. But the price of doing nothing is even more * PROJECTED DESIRED awesome. With each passing year, over $5 billion in personal income is lost to the The Commission recognizes that it cannot residents of the Coastal Plains. In ten years stand alone if it is to be successful in these same people will be deprived of some revitalizing the economy of the Coastal $50 to $60 billion in income if there is no Plains Region. The joint efforts of Federal, : :'--: action to prevent it. State and local decision-makers will be If the type of activity which the Coastal required, together with private industry and Plains Regional Commission proposes can be business, to close the income gap. 10 which the Commission believes public in- The Commission is also charged with vestments will yield the greatest gains in reviewing the programs of Federal, State, and terms of the sustained economic develop- local agencies and recommending im- ment of the Coastal Plains Region. provements to their legislation, ad- The functions and responsibilities assigned ministrative procedures, and funding levels. to the Coastal Plains Regional Commission It should also recommend new forms of by Title V of the Public Works and Economic interstate cooperation and should work with Development Act of 1965 are broad but State and local agencies in developing ap- clearly limited to planning and inducing propriate model legislation. regional economic development. The The planning and the inducing of regional Commission is not to duplicate services economic development must go hand-in- R[SPONSIBILIII[S c leatr, dem ithe tof oplaing fundcin g provided by existing agencies, but should be hand. The more closely the planning and an innovator, demonstrating the value of new operating functions are merged, the more programs and techniques, and a catalyst, likely it will be that the plans are both h elping private entrepreneurs and public relevant and implemented. The Commission, ANO a noaodmntaigtevleo e officials o n all levels of government to blend in its staff organization and program ac- their interests and expertise to accelerate the tivities, seeks to merge its dual functions of designated regions. development. Up to this point, we have discussed the- problems of the Coastal Plains Region and examined the Region's potentials in terms of resources. In addition, we have talked about the Commission's goals for the Region and briefly described the strategy to be employed to achieve these goals. But a number of questions remain to be answered. The Commission's prime responsibility is the economic development of the Coastal Plains Region. What are some of its other responsibilities in this context, what tools does the Commission have at its disposal to carry out these responsibilities; and finally and most importantly, what programs have been designed to meet the challenge of closing the income gap? Finally, there are seven action programs in An integral part of the Commission's ... - planning process is the sponsorship of State . .. Development Planning. The overriding :.' purpose of this activity is to provide the Governors with an increasingly powerful tool for policy formulation and program management and to help them set priorities for the expenditures of State funds and thereby influence the priorities adopted by both the local governments and the Federal Government. The Commission has sought planning that is comprehensive and unites the planning contributions of Federal, State, and local government agencies. The Commission's own plan provides a common focus for the diverse aims of these agencies: regional economic development. In addition to the planning function, the Commission has an action responsibility which involves inducing the desired restructuring of the economy and fostering resourcL discoveries and technological '" : . advances. It can accomplish this only by influencing decisions and programs in the private and public sectors. The methods L available to the Commission for exercising this influence are: Technical Assistance, '.. Supplemental Grants, and Demonstration Often the communities most in need of such assistance under any existing Federal Projects. facilities are the least able to afford their categorical grant-in-aid program. The Technical Assistance can be used to secure share of the cost of constructing them. In Commission has used this authority to assist the services of experts for special research such cases, the Commission can raise the the States in constructing marine research, and analysis and even to demonstrate the ratio of one Federal dollar for every local development, education and extension feasibility of new high-risk, high-return dollar to four Federal and Commission facilities. enterprises particularly suited to the Region dollars for every local dollar. There are seven action programs in which through a guarantee-against-loss agreement. The third action tool for influencing the Commission believes public investments Supplemental grants can remedy a decisions in the public and private sectors is will yield the greatest gains in terms of the significant deficiency in Federal grant-in-aid the demonstration grant authority. It can be sustained economic development of the programs for contracting needed facilities. used to construct facilities not eligible for Coastal Plains Region. 12 Industrial Development As has already been stated, closing the____ income gap is predicated on restructuring the-- economy with heavy reliance on industries -_ _ which manufacture durable goods. Industrial Development is the heart of the Commission's program to induce this :. restructuring. The six other action programs are designed to support this very important _ _ a activity . Within this program rests the responsibility for identifying the kinds of industries needed to improve the Region's industrial mix and for helping State and local officials to attract ? F ; them to suitable locations in the Region. ,; I. The Industrial Development Program seeks , - to make the conditions in the Region . favorable for the location, expansion and -- modernization of the desired industries to encourage the creation of more than 525,000 new jobs in these sectors during the 1970's. The continuation of past trends will account for 270,000 of these new jobs being created: therefore the quantitative objective of this program over the next ten years is the creation of 255,000 additional new jobs in higher wage occupations outlined the following types of activities for of capital, investment opportunities It must be pointed out that industrial this program: (new products and new markets,) solicitation Is the job of the States and the Improving the availability of in- technological advances (new processes agencies responsible for this function. The vestment capital, investment op- and new products,) and suitable in- Commission's role is a catalytic one, working portunities, industrial sites, and dustrial sites; and through and with these agencies to make assistance programs for entrepreneurs; Improving community leadership their efforts successful. Disseminating information concerning entrepreneurship, and environmental Keeping this in mind, the Commission has available assistance programs, sources quality. 13 systems to the national average will be $6.5 to have the programs in skill training HU~mN Re ~sou~r~es billion. The additional cost of raising the and upgrading conform to the specific quality of available health care to the needs of the service areas of the in- national norm by 1980 will be $2 billion. dividual facilities; In short the Human Resources Program Fostering closer communication Haccounts for $10 billion of the additional $14 between the schools offering skill High technology industries cannot be billion of public investment required to training programs (vocational expected to expand significantly in the facilitate the desired restructuring of the education) and the community (service Region unless measures are taken to provide regional economy. To date the Commission area) at large; an adequate supply of workers with the skills have invested over $8 million in thirty-eight with educators and needed for advanced industrial operations. Working with educators and training facilities in the Region costing over businessmen to find additional ways Current trends during the 1970's will result $33 million. for the Commission to help raise the in nearly 700,000 newly trained entrants into frteCmiso ohl as h in nearly 700,000 newly trained entrants into The major focus of the Human Resources skill of the Region's labor force; and the regional labor force. However, to man the Program for the foreseeable future includes: industrial structure that would close the Identifying problems hampering income gap, nearly 600,000 of the 2.1 million Assisting in the construction, equipping human development, supporting people now employed in the Region must be and maintaining of occupational promising efforts at solving them, and retrained. The cost of upgrading their skills training facilities throughout the documenting solutions of general will be $1.5 billion. The additional cost of Region; applicability to facilitate their adoption raising all levels of the Region's educational Improving curriculum content in order by other institutions. 14 contributed to assist in the con- Completion of a comprehensive en- tension facilities on Skidaway Island in coastal zone of the Region and Georgia, in Dare, Carteret and New establish a continuing system of en- Hanover Counties in North Carolina vironmental monitoring. and in Charleston, South Carolina. The Region's marine resources represent economic potentials which are as yet relatively untapped. Development of these resources can lead to (1) enabling the Region's residents to engage in marine enterprises more productively and profitably; (2) enhancing the attractiveness of the Region for high technology industry; (3) enabling the Region's residents to compete more suc- cessfully for marine research and development contracts and grants; and (4) improving the understanding of the marine environment. In pursuit of these purposes three types of efforts have been undertaken: Facilitation of communication among those engaged in marine R&D in the Region. The Center for Marine Development Services in Wilmington, North Carolina is the focal point of these efforts. Demonstrating the economic feas- ibility of new or expanded business activities by supporting innovative entrepreneurs under a guarantee- against-loss agreement. Systematic expansion and im- provement of the research, develop- ment, education and extension facilities and programs in the Region Approximately $5 million has been 15 Agriculture aOd Forestry The projections made in connection with the search for a 1980 economic structure that would close the Region's income gap in- dicated that the simple continuation of past trends would reduce employment in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector of the regional economy by 54,000 jobs during the 1970's. Achieving the Commission's desired i .4 structure would require a further reduction of nearly 30,000 jobs. This can only be achieved by accelerating the rate of technological and managerial improvements in this sector. Productivity per worker must be increased to release nearly 84,000 underemployed farm workers for more remunerative employment and to provide higher earnings for the more productive workers who remain engaged in agriculture and forestry. The goals of this program are: Achievement of levels of productivity and income per employee engaged in agriculture and forestry in the Region at least equal to the national levels; The introduction of more profitable IBM_ crops and varieties in the Region; _on ,G Continuous improvement in the ef- -_i__ _; --: ._... ficiency of organization, management, I -lo am. methods, and techniques in agriculture and forestry; and Continuous improvement in the quality of planning and level of effectiveness of Federal, State and local agencies concerned with these industries. ] 16 the developmental highway system, it major seaports so that they will have continues to have top priority in the Trans- the capacity to handle expeditiously portation Program. the imports required and exports This program envisions, in addition to the generated by the Region's expanding developmental highway program: industrial base. Meeting the transportation needs of potential industry and business is of major Scheduled air service between the Progressive improvement of the ef- importance to any program seeking to growth centers of the Region. The air ficiency in the intermodal aspects of revitalize the economy of a specific region. service demonstrations in Georgia and the Region's transportation system. Improved transportation facilities are South Carolina may well be the first essential if there is to be efficient movement step toward accomplishment of this of planninuous improve of the quality of planning and level of effectiveness of people and material. objective. of all agencies concerned with trans- of all agencies concerned with trans- Although funds are not yet available for Progressive expansion of the Region's portation facilities and services. 171- ..N/ .,,, , '- E - : *.� =., -_i:�~tr~:~i ., -:��� ,:; '�'":97 O 1 17 ~~Teo~unb ~tourist industries, such as the for- mulation of a regional theme and graphic image, the creation of guidebooks and directories, and the dissemination of information required The Tourism Program is directed primarily by officials and investors; at attracting private capital to the Region for To conserve the Region's recreational investment in potentially profitable op- resources through programs to restore portunities developed through Commission research. Tourism is becoming a major source of employment and income in the Region. It is a powerful generator of new revenue from tourist-serving facilities, such as motels, restaurants, service stations and shopping centers. Many of the jobs created by this development can be filled by relatively un- skilled people. -in addition, good tourism facilities serve a secondary purpose in that they increase the Region's attractiveness as a location for the kinds of industrial plants needed to improve the economic structure of the Region. To date, research has been devoted to developing specific investment opportunities with a probability of immediate im- plementation and financial success and economic impact; development techniques and procedures for State and local agencies areas which have become run-down to use in developing investment op- and to improve the environment by portunities; identifying sites and presenting methods such as artificial fishing reefs; them to prospects; economic impact of To improve access to recreation areas sportfishing in the Region; and marketing with respect to land, sea and air trans- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~vacation packages. ~portation as well as visitor facilities; The objectives of this program for the and immediate future are: To foster the development of a To increase the quantity and quality of coherent regional system of vacation information concerning all aspects of attractions and accommodations. 18 Housing Housing conditions have been generally t ; worse in the Coastal Plains Region than any other region of the United States. The ' . d .I:_ id Commission's awareness of this problem has -I - led to the designation of housing as a priority area for action. This designation is based on the income producing potential of the development of the housing industry in the A_ /el Region rather than the social aspects usually associated with government housing ____ I programs. The mission of the housing program is to translate the Region's obvious need for improved housing into specific economic opportunities for the Region's construction and modular home manufacturing industries. Research required for planning and developing the Commission's Housing Program is underway. The goals of this program are: A thoroughly documented delineation of the Region's needs and market demand for new housing, aggregated by income groups and localities; An evaluation of how current housing ._s~.. programs are meeting the Region's needs; and A determination of the investment and employment opportunities represented by this demand. The social consequences are extremely responsibility of the Department of Housing Commission's clear mandate is to plan and important but are considered to be the and Urban Development; whereas, the induce regional economic development. 19 These are the programs of the Commission COASTAL PLAINS and the techniques available for use in the REGIONAL COMMISSION-MEMBERS 1973 development process. Proper utilization of Hon. G. Fred Steele, Jr. these techniques can assist entrepreneurs to FdrlCcara create incomne-producing enterprises in the FdrlCcara Region. It can also enable members of the Gov. John C. West regional labor force to take advantage of the State Cochairman opportunities created by these enterprises. At South Carolina the same time, the Commission can assist Gov. Jimmy Carter State and local governments in providing Georgia required supporting services. Gov. James E. Holshouser, Jr. But beyond this, the success of the North Carolina Commission's efforts to bring about economic development in the Region will be J coadWa determined by the Coastal Plains Regional Staes Regionald Reresnativ Commission's ability to enlist the support ofStesRginlepsnaiv governmental officials at all levels as well as Charles W. Coss citizen leaders in business, industry and Executive Director institutions. COASTAL PLAINS Development of a meaningful, realistic REGIONAL COMMISSION plan for the Region, as we have done, is of200LSreN major importance, but the plan and its 2000hLnStone, D.C.203 strategy must gain acceptance from those WsigoDC 03 individuals and groups who comprise the Federal Cochairman Region's leadership. Even more, the Coin- Tel: 202-967-3753 mission must secure a commitment from this States' Representative leadership to the goals and objectives set Tel: 202-967-5725 forth in the plan and then bring about their full envolvement in the implementation of Executive Director the plans and programs to be undertaken. Tel: 202-967-3277 Agl~ ZONE ir D~aTE DUE GAYLORD No- 2333 PfRIfOr1OEUA 3 6668 1410799