    [From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

            Coastal Zone
             Information
                 Center

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                             IX

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                       1974

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                                                                                               Coastal Plains Regional Commission
                                                                                               Members 1974

                                                                                               R. Jack Hawke   ......................     Federal Cochairman

                                                                                               James E. Holshouser, Jr.                     State Cochairman
                                                                                               Governor of North Carolina

                                                                                               John C. West
                                                                                               Governor of South Carolina

                                                                                               Jimmy Carter
                                                                                               Governor of Georgia
                                                                             VANN W-

                                                                                               W. Joe Lanham
                                                                                               Executive Director

                                                                                         'ety - O:E CSC Ubgggil          I
                                                                                 Prope,

                                                                              0 - S   DEPARTMENT,OF COMMERCE NOAA                   it has been a sincere pleasure to
                                                                              COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
                                                                              2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE                           serve as State Cochairman of the
                      To The Congress of The                               UfiTf&&5faf*S29405-2413                               Coastal Plains Regional Commission for
                                                                                                                                 the past year.
                                                                                                                                    During this period many significant
                        This report for Fiscal Year 1974 not                mission staff has been completely re-                changes have taken place which have
                      only marks an ending period but also                  organized and with fewer people but                  strengthened this program and given it
                      signals a beginning period for the                    with redoubled dedication the Com-                   new impetus toward achieving its
                      Coastal Plains Regional Commission.                   mission will achieve its goal.                       worthwhile goals and objectives.
                        I am now completing my first six                      Our Commission has recently laid a                    The types of innovative projects un-
                      months as Federal Cochairman, only                    firm foundation for development of                   dertaken by the Commission in Fiscal
                      one and one-half months of which fel I in             cleepwater oil terminals within our                  Year 1974 and described in this report,
                      the period covered by this report.                    Region. This step has projected the                  are outstanding examples of regional
                      However, I have been able to obligate                 Coastal Plains Region to an important                action planning and development. The
                      the allocation of nearly 43 percent of                national role. We have reorganized                   Commission's activities on a multi-state
                      the Commission's total FY 1974                        our Center for Marine Development                    basis are ample proof that this kind of
                      budget.                                               Services and established it as a vital               cooperative effort between levels of
                        At no time during the history of this               communications link and information                  government can and will result in
                      Commission has accelerated economic                   center serving all three States.                     greater progress in bringing about a
                      development been more critical. We                      While we look back with pride at our               better way of life for all our Region's
                      are cognizant of the fact that what we                accomplishments, we are most anxious                 citizens.
                      can do for the economy of our Region                  to look forward to new goals.                           With this in mind, I look forward to
                      will also have great impact upon a                      Pursuant to Section 510 of the Public              the achievement of even greater suc-
                      critical national situation. The following            Works and Economic Development Act                   cesses in the future. On behalf of myself
                      pages reflect a record of our actions                 of 1965; 1 am submitting to you the An-              and my fellow Commission Members, I
                      during the past year, but cannot ade-                 nual Report of the Coastal Plains                    am pleased to join in presenting to you
                      quately reflect the encouraging                       Regional Commission for Fiscal Year                  this seventh Annual Report of the
                      prospects for the future.                             1974.                                                Coastal Plains Regional Commission.
                        This year, our Commission was given
                      a new beginning. With the two-year re-                        Respectfully submitted,                              Respectfully submitted,
                      newal given to Title V Commissions by
                      Congress, we are committed to doing
                      our very best to make this a profitable                             ck aHawke                                _@_@ames"E. Holshouser, Jr.
                                                                                            I Co
                      two years for our Region. The Com-                            @Pederal Cochairman                                  State Cochairman, 1974
                                                                                                                                           (WASUK ME

                                                                          government into an effective partnership            tional basis. This Federal-State partnership
                                                                          with State and local governments in helping         provides a framework for attacking pro-
                                                                          an economically logging region move into            blems from the local and State levels while at
                                                                          line with the remainder of the Nation.              the same time relating these to national
                                                                             In passing this legislation, Congress gave       goals and priorities.
                                                                          recognition to the need for comprehensive             The Commission's principal goal since its
                                                                          economic development planning beyond the            founding has been to stimulate and
                                                                          local level, by authorizing the Secretary of        coordinate a planned program of economic
                                                                          Commerce, with the concurrence of            the    development activities so that the income
                                                                          States involved, to establish economic de-          and quality of life of the Region's 5.4 million
                                                                          velopment regions. The designation of        the    citizens will be improved. This is ac-
                                                                          Coastal Plains Region took place on                 complished through the use of rather limited
                  2    Introduction                                       December 20, 1966. At the request of         the    CPRC financial resources in coordination
                                                                          Governors of North Carolina, South                  and cooperation with other local-State-
                                                                          Carolina and Georgia, the Secretary of              Federal and private industry interests and re-
                                                                          Commerce designated 159 counties east of            sources.
                                                                          the Fall Line in these three States as the            Through its major Program Areas, the
                                                                          Coastal Plains Economic Development                 CPRC strives to initiate changes in the
                                                                          Region.                                             Region's economic structure by more effec-
                                                                             The Act also called for the creation of re-      tively utilizing its vast human, natural and
                                                                          gional planning commissions which would             other institutional resources.
                                                                          analyze the problems of their respective re-          This Annual Report describes the Com-
                                                                          gions' economies and develop overall                mission's activities during the period July I ,
                                                                          strategies for stimulating economic growth.         1973, to June 30, 1974 (FY'74). It is also a
                          This Annual Report marks the completion         Thus, on July 19, 1967, the Coastal Plains          report to the Congress and to the people of
                       of seven years of regional action planning         Regional Commission was officially                  the progress made toward achieving the
                       and economic development activities by the         chartered to identify these problems of             goals and objectives for this Region.
                       Coastal Plains Regional Commission (CPRC)          economic lag and to formulate an action               As the following pages of this report will
                       in the 159 counties of North Carolina, South       program to alleviate them. The Commission           demonstrate, the Commission, the States
                       Carolina and Georgia which make up the             is composed of a Federal Cochairman cip-            and Federal government have worked dili-
                       Coastal Plains Region. Established by              pointed by the President, and the Governors         gently in a concerted effort to develop and
                       Congress under the Public Works and                of the Member States. One of the Governors          enhance the Region's potential for economic
                       Economic Development Act of 1965, the              is designated as State Cochairman and               growth in order to bring about economic
                       Commission is designed to bring the Federal        serves in this capacity on a one year rota-         parity with the rest of the Nation.

                  Coastal Plains Region Overview

                     The 159 contiguous counties which lie                  ernment for the implementation of the            between the Region's per capita income
                  between the Piedmont and the Atlantic                     Commission's recommendations.                    average and that of the Nation. This goal
                  Ocean in the States of Georgia, North                   The first action taken by the Commission           was subsequently reaffirmed in the Interim
                  Carolina and South Carolina comprise the             after its chartering was to analyze the pro-          Regional Plan of December 1968 and the
                  Coastal Plains Region. The counties in this          blems of the Region and to develop an over-           Regional Development Plan of August,
                  Region share a number of similarities. They          all strategy for accelerating the Region's            1971.
                  are all closely related in culture, history,         economic growth. The Commission's initial               The Commission placed several constraints
                  climate and in geographical description.             studies were devoted to examining the condi-          on its goal of closing the income gap, each
                  When these counties are considered as a              tions of the Region and identifying the exist-        of which has a direct effect on the strategy
                  whole and compared to the remainder of the           ing economic situation. The Region's charac-          employed by the Commission in achieving
                  Nation, another characteristic is revealed.          teristics, needs, basic resources, aspirations        that goal. Paramount among these are: a
                  The Region lags the rest of the Nation in            and potentials were studied. Interviews with          minimum amount of transfer payments and
                  overall economic development.                        government and quasi-public          agency of-       out-migration. These constraints have result-
                     In enacting the Public Works and                  ficials as well as civic, educational and busi-       ed in strategies designed to raise the skill
                  Economic Development Act, the Congress               ness leaders at the State and local levels            levels of the people residing in the Region,
                  directed the Coastal Plains Regional Com-            were conducted by the Commission to gain              increase the returns to capital invested in the
                  mission to:                                          further insight into the needs, opportunities,        Region, and raise the productivity and
                     -Identify the reasons the Region's                plans and hopes for economic development              wages of the people employed in the Region.
                      economy is lagging behind the Nation;            of the Region.                                        Further, the Commission's strategy must con-
                     - Identify the human and physical re-                The result was the Commission's adoption,          sider human values and aspirations. It must
                      sources available within the Region;             on January 19, 1968, of its Initial Action            also consider the quality of the Region's en-
                     - Determine the overall development goals         Planning Program, which established a goal            vironment.
                      for the Region based upon the Region's           for the Region, defined a strategy for                  The initial areas adopted by the Com-
                      potentialities,:                                 achievement of that goal, and designated              mission in developing its program strategy
                     -Develop alternative programs for                 priority target areas for program develop-            were: Industrial Development, Marine
                      reaching those goals and identify what is        ment.                                                 Resources, Education and Manpower Train-
                      needed to be done by government and                 The goal adopted was to bridge the in-             ing, Tourism, and Agriculture.
                      private enterprise;                              come gap - to narrow and eventually                     At later times Transportation and Housing
                     - Work with Federal, State and local gov-         close, or even surpass, the lag which existed         were added as target areas and Health as

                        an area warranting special attention.               priorities designed to attack problem areas        make optimal use of its limited financial re-
                           With this beginning, the Commission              be properly identified.                            sources. At the same time, it has focused
                        launched a malor effort to seek long range,           To maximize the effic;ency of program            program activity on those sectors of the
                        permanent economic gains in the Region              funds and staff effort, the Commission made        Region's economy from which the greatest
                        through implementing these priority program         malor realignments this year in program            development benefits can be realized.
                        areas. The action tools available to each           orientation and staff as well CIS a renewal of     Moreover, the new program structure al-
                  4     program area are Regional Economic                  its overall regional economic development          lowed the implementation of a staff re-
                        Development Planning, Technical Assistance          emphasis.                                          organization with fewer staff members but
                        Grants, and Supplemental and Demonstra-               These changes are viewed as continuing           providing an efficient and effective staff ar-
                        tion Grants.                                        efforts by the Commission to more efficiently      rangement.
                           These tools have been used to generate           serve the citizens of the Coastal Plains             These two significant alterations in the
                        numerous ongoing proiects in each program           Region by assisting the Region in realizing its    Comm   ssion structure have concentrated
                        area. Since 1968 the Commission has invest-         full economic potential.                           staff and available dollar resources into a
                        ed nearly $40 million in project monies in the      Planning and                                       major thrust aimed at those critical areas
                        three States, all for the purpose of stimulat-      Management Highlights                              where relatively high returns in salaries and
                        ing overall economic growth within the                                                                 employment can be accomplished on both a
                        Region.                                               Among the most important activities to           short and long term basis.
                           During 1974, the Commission has made             take place during FY 1974 was a major re-             In making these adjustments, activities in
                        major strides toward strenghtening its efforts      orientation of Commission program areas            the areas of human resource development,
                        to initiate and encourage increased efficien-       and a restructuring of the staff head-             tourism, housing and transportation are em-
                        cy of staff use and of investment potential in      quartered in Washington, D.C. Careful              phasized and remain integral components of
                        the Region.                                         study of program emphasis revealed a need          the Commission's plan for the full develop-
                           More than ever, the Commission has               to consolidate the previously existing seven       ment of the Region. These activities are fully
                        stressed that planning activities be a con-         programs into the present four major areas         supportive of the Commission's goals and
                        tinuous process rather than a one-time ef-          for more intensified attention.. Industrial        objectives, and projects in these areas will
                        fort. Experience dictates close attention be        Development, Marine Resources, Agriculture         continue to merit attention as they arise.
                        paid to the Region's changing economic en-          and Forestry, and Environmental Affairs.              Another highly significant development
                        vironment in order that strategies, goals and         This realignment has enabled the CPRC to         during the year was the two-year extension

                  of the Title V Commission program granted            Commission and it will be used as the basic         a formal channel for developing and manag-
                  by the Congress, through June 30, 1976,              analytical tool to revise the plan.                 ing proposed projects among these
                  Although the funding level for all Com-                 The Committee's work is underway with            cooperating bodies. It also prescribes a
                  missions was reduced, the Congress con-              the updated Plan expected to be completed           timetable for each action required in order
                  tinued, as it has in the past, to show strong        during March, 1975. The major revision of           to bring a project from proposal stage to ac-
                  support for regional economic development            the Plan will begin early In 1975 and should        tual implementation.
                  @programs. This legislative reaffirmation of         be completed in early 1976.                            This procedure can and will improve the
                  the Title V program gives ample recognition             The Commission's project development             quality of projects submitted for considera-
                  to the important contribution that the CPRC          and management process was subjected to             tion while at the same time expedite what
                  and its sister Commissions are making                careful review and analysis in FY 1974 in an        has been heretofore a cumbersome and
                  toward alleviating many of the economic ills         effort to refine these procedures in such a         time-consuming review and evaluation pro-
                  affecting our Nation.                                way as to improve handling efficiency and to        cess.
                     Further, the Commission is in the process         spread the process throughout the entire               An obvious benefit to be derived from this
                  of evaluating the overall strategies it uses In      year. A critical need existed to reduce or          procedure is the increased emphasis given to
                  moving toward the goal of closing the gap in         eliminate processing-handling problems oc-          project evaluation and follow-through, a
                  per-capita income between the Region and             curring during the final months of the plan-        vital element of this activity. Every grant and
                  the rest of the Nation. This effort is being         ning year.                                          contract authorization will require a final re-
                  conducted by a joint Economic Plan Commit-              In addition to the major improvements in         port from which much valuable data can be
                  tee composed of representatives of the               the project development and management              obtained on the future probability of success
                  States' planning officials, the Federal              process, this new procedure reflects the in-        or failure of similar projects under con-
                  Cochairman's Ciffice, and the Commission             creasingly important role of the Com-               sideration and provide more complete
                  staff. The charge of the Committee is first to       mission's Advisory Committees throughout            documentation on all actions taken with
                  update the Regional Economic Development             the entire cycle of project development.            respect to the project.
                  Plan, the Commission's primary planning              Their activities can now be coordinated more           Careful adherence to this new method of
                  document. Secondly, after evaluation of              effectively with the activities of the Com-         project management can and will result in
                  alternative technical methods designed for           mission and State staffs and the Ciffice of the     more efficient utilization of the Commission's
                  use in policy and strategy planning, one             Federal Cochairman.                                 limited number of dollars and speed up get-
                  method will be selected as best suited to the           Essentially, this new procedure establishes      ting these funds into productive uses.

                                                                       Improvement of the Region's
                                                                       transportation facilities is an Important stimulus
                                                                       to industrial development efforts.

                                                            At.-

                                                                 4-Am

             Petrochemical plants such as the Mobay Chemical Corporation,
                                Baytown, Texas Plant are typical of the kinds
                        of high technology industry desirable for the Region.

                                                                        tal impacts of specific port and refinery sites      technical and administrative know-how that
                                                                        and the economic impact of the construction          would be transferable to other areas of the
                                                                        and operation of offshore port and refinery          Region.
                  Industrial Development                                complexes in the Region, The results of the             In transportation, the Commission has
                                                                        study are scheduled for release in January,          continued to work closely with commuter air
                                                                        1975.                                                carriers in the Region to provide scheduled
                                                                           A program initiated in 1973 began pay-            air service to smaller growth areas as an aid
                     The Industrial Development Program                 ing dividends in 1974. The Commission has            to business and industry. Additionally, the
                  represents the cornerstone of the Com-                encouraged private developers to construct           Commission has made a grant to assist in the
                  mission's overall strategy for development of         shell industrial buildings on prime sites by us-     preparation of a comprehensive develop-
                  the Region's economic resources. By identify-         ing an interest reimbursement incentive. One         ment plan for U.S. Highway 17 in Coastal
                  ing and inducing the kinds of changes in the          such building in North Carolina has attract-         Georgia to outline ways to stimulate tourism
                  CPR's industrial structure and related                ed a California electronics firm employing           traffic for communities and businesses that            7
                  employment distribution, this program can             250 workers and an investment of                     have been economically by-passed by In-
                  attract private investment in the kinds of job-       $1,400,000 in equipment and improve-                 terstate Highway 95. Funds were provided,
                  producing activities that can contribute im-          ments. In addition, several other com-               as in the past, to assist smaller communities
                  measurably toward improving the incomes               munities in the Region have been selected for        in airport planning and to help upgrade
                  and quality of life for the Region's citizens.        sites by expanding companies solely because          airport facilities.
                     During Fiscal Year 1974, the Industrial            of their eligibility for shell building construc-       Human resource projects continued to
                  Development Program served as the focal               tion under the CPRC program.                         lead the way in the use of supplemental
                  point for one of the most significant research           Housing, human resource development               grant fund authority. Funds were provided
                  projects ever undertaken by the CPRC. In              and transportation are important elements            for a variety of vocational, technical and
                  January of this year, the Commission joined           of the Industrial Development program area.          comprehensive high school construction
                  in a unique cooperative effort with the               The housing program is well exemplified by           projects in each of the three States. These
                  Member States and seven major oil and                 the $300,000 Incentive-Oriented Housing              prolects are directed toward the Commission
                  petrochemical companies in        a Deepwater         Program grant to the State of Georgia dur-           goal of providing a higher skill level for the
                  Terminal Study to perform an evaluation of            ing Fiscal Year 1974. This grant provides            Region's labor force as new and more highly
                  the feasibility of constructing refineries and        funding to devise means of stimulating profit        technical industries move into the CPR. (See
                  cleepwater terminals in the Region. This              oriented housing ventures, existing or new,          pages 17 and 18 for a complete list of pro-
                  study includes the analysis of the economic           and to provide adequate housing for low              jects)
                  and environmental aspects of unloading re-            and moderate income families. This project              Supplemental grant funds were also pro-
                  quirements for one or more offshore                   should not only lead to the development of           vided to aid in planning for or to construct
                  facilities, crude pipeline routes, distribution       an improved housing market in the counties           ancillary facilities for industrial parks in a
                  of refined petroleum products, environmen-            involved, but should also provide a basis for        number of locations in the Region.

                                                                                            Development of the Reg'on's seafood 'ndustry
                                                                                                 'tal concern
                                                                                            s a v
                                                                                           Of the Marine Resources program.

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                                                                        ;swat"
                                 A high pressure water pump system
                                            e method being studied
                                        is on
                          for reseeding once productive oyster beds
                                       in the Coastal Plains Region.

                                                                       tee identified five major problem areas in          overall program is the encouragement of the
                                                                       their field of interest: inadequate harbor,         development of year-round leisure industries
                                                                       docking and handling facilities scarcity of         compatible with the needs of the residents
                                                                       capital, lack of regional markets, complexity       and the Region's natural beauty.
                  Marine Resources                                     of federal regulations, and a need for more           Beginning early in 1975, the Commission
                                                                       education and training for fishermen. This          will place greater emphasis on this program
                                                                       group had not completed their work by the           by appointing a special Ad-Hoc group with
                    The Marine Resources program seeks to              end of the fiscal year but were studying the        leisure industry expertise to discuss and
                  encourage the management of the Region's             application of industrial park concepts to the      make recommendations on those areas re-
                  natural marine resources for the benefit of its      development of seafood facilities. By con-          quiring the greatest attention.
                  residents.                                           structing such facilities and providing related       In the past year, the Commission con-
                    The focus in 1974 began by narrowing our           utilities and service, efficiencies can be in-      tinued to support development of the 1850
                  Marine Resources efforts to achieve greater          troduced which will stimulate growth. Cen-          Historic Village of Westville, Georgia. As
                  results. The Marine Resources Advisory Com-          tralized disposal facilities con spread the         part of this program, authentic 1850 era            9
                  mittee, appointed by the Commission, re-             cost over a large number of users and               buildings have been moved to Westville and
                  cognized the need to begin building up the           economies of land use can be a major benefit        completely restored, An entire community
                  Region's seafood industry and developing its         of a centralized industry. Early in 1975, the       has been recreated with shops, mills, homes
                  mineral resource potential, both a vital na-         advisory group will make its full recommen-         and skilled craftsmen. In another tourism re-
                  tional and regional concern.                         dations to the Commission.                          lated area, the Commission also provided
                     In order to make progress in seafood and            Outstanding projects funded during the            funds to support Bicentennial efforts in
                  mineral development, special advisory sub-           year include aquaculture studies in South           Savannah, Georgia.
                  committees with appropriate expertise were           Carolina, a Georgia effort to restore her on-         Artificial fishing reefs continue to be an
                  formed. They recommended that mineral re-            ce fertile oyster beds and North Carolina's         important part of the Marine Resources pro-
                  source development be approached in two              study of the capture and handling of eels for       gram. Old auto tires are bound together in
                  phases. First, the states should be assisted in      export.                                             units and sunk at well marked locations. The
                  completing an assessment of their resources.           Several projects during the year indicate         underwater reef provides a stable surface on
                  Secondly, the states should be aided in de-          larger development activities; a North              which organic material attaches itself and
                  veloping good management programs. As a              Carolina project designed to support ex-            this attracts small fish which in turn attract
                  consequence, the Commission joined with the          panded phosphate mining; a South Carolina           larger fish.
                  U.S. Geological Survey to conduct                    coastal monitoring project to provide de-             The reliability of such reefs attracts both
                  aeromagnetic and aeroradloactivity surveys           tailed data for an evaluation of the ex-            individual fishermen and charter boat
                  in the Coastal Plains. These aero surveys are        pansion of the Charleston harbor, and in            operators. By solving a tire disposal pro-
                  providing basic data about basement rock             Georgia, a study of the use of artificial reefs     blem, providing recreation and attracting
                  formations not previously available.                 by commercial fishermen.                            measurable economic benefits, the articial
                      The seafood industry advisory subcommit-           A supporting element of the Commission's          reef program fills several needs.

                                                                                    Aft
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                                                                                                     New techniques in tobacco harvesting mechanization
                                                                                                     are one consideration
                                                                                                     of the Agriculture and Forestry program.

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                                                                                                                          WA,
                                                Attracting food process'ng
                      can help improve the Region's competitive position nationally
                                                   and increase profits for farmers.

                 Agriculture                                           and analysis data available, the Commission          market opportunities for producers of
                                                                       will assist farmers in the Region to introduce       agricultural commodities and thus to the im-
                 and Forestry                                          new and more profitable crops while point-           provement of the agricultural and the total
                                                                       ing out the more traditional ones which offer        economy of the Region.
                    During Fiscal Year 1974, the Agriculture           expansion potential.                                   The Region's forests are a highly valuable
                 and Forestry Program concentrated on proj-              Tobacco growers in the Region have been            natural resource. Through proper manage-
                 ects concerned with improving farm                    greatly affected as harvesting operations            ment and utilization, these forests can con-
                 management, expanding markets for the                 have become more mechanized. Many of the             tinue to provide raw materials for products
                 Region's commodities and increasing the               Region's farmers have tobacco allotments             that Americans find necessary for every day
                 processing capabilities of related industries.        too small to support the cost of owning and          living. However, improvement of manage-
                    A major concern in the Region's                    operating high cost harvesting equipment.            ment practices is difficult since vast amounts
                 agricultural economy is the large number of           The Commission has determined an existing            of these forests are privately owned. The
                 small farms. These small units are difficult to       need for a comparison of the cost of                 Commission has taken steps to improve these
                 manage efficiently and farmers often lack             alternative methods of tobacco harvesting.           forests and increase their profitability by
                 the necessary expertise for sound manage-             During FY 1974, a study was begun of both            sponsoring a series of seminars in the Region
                 ment. The Commission recognized this need             conventional and recently developed                  designed to look at the economics of forest
                 by initiating planning for the organization           mechanized harvesting methods. The data,             harvesting. These seminars are bringing
                 and implementation of an agricultural                 which will be available in FY 1975, will be          private landowners, State and Federal
                 management development team approach to               extremely valuable in making adjustments in          foresters, and representatives of forest in-
                 this problem. This concept will utilize               management practices associated with                 dustries together to focus on common
                 specialist teams in pilot multi-county districts      tobacco production, harvesting and han-              problems. The Commission is hopeful of in-
                 to identify alternatives for agricultural de-         dling.                                               creasing management efficiency and of find-
                 velopment within the districts; develop plans           Improving farm management and increas-             ing methods to fully utilize these resources.
                 for action projects to test the feasibility of        ing production may have little impact on in-           The Agriculture and Forestry Advisory
                 farm consolidation; and seek ways to im-              comes without the capacity to process and            Committee plays an active role in the for-
                 prove operational efficiency of the entire            market farm products. Expansion of the               mulation of policies and programs for rec-
                 farm market and production system.                    vegetable industry and of livestock produc-          ommendation to the Commission in this vital
                    Information for another type improvement           tion has been hindered by the lack of cide-          area. The Committee meets regularly to seek
                 of form management is soon to be available            quate processing facilities. In response to this     innovative ways to achieve the objectives of
                 in an updated commodity mix study. This               need, the Commission undertook a project to          the program. Many of the Commission's ac-
                 study will contain refined data indicating the        influence major processors to locate facilities      tions in Agriculture and Forestry have been a
                 comparative advantage for growing and                 in the Region. The establishment by major            result of this Committee's active participation
                 marketing of certain fruits and vegetables.           processors of such facilities in the Region          in the development and refinement of these
                 By making this specific economic information          would make a significant contribution to             activities.

                                                                Solid waste disposal is an Important aspect
                                                                of land use considerations.

                                                                                                         T4

                                                     Water resources management                                                             4
                                                                                                                                            7@-
                                                't'coi concern in the Coastal Plains.
                                          Is a ch I

                                                                                                                         Federal government. A "Compendium of En-
                                                                                                                         vironmental Law Affecting the Coastal
                                                                                                                         Plains" was therefore started in late 1974.
                                                                                                                         This work is expected to be completed by
                                                                                                                         late summer, 1975.
                                                                                                                           Second was the achievement of improved
                                                                                                                         interstate cooperation in the development
                                                                                                                         and management of all water resources in
                                                                                                                         the Region. The provision of useable water in
                                                                                                                         adequate amounts is of critical Importance
                 Environmental Affairs                                                                                   to the economic development of the Region.
                                                                                                                         Study designs to address these needs were
                                                                                                                         begun this year through the Environmental
                   In September, 1973, the Coastal Plains            vide a forum for discussing and resolving           Affairs Program.                                   13
                 Regional Commission became the first Title V        jurisdictional conflicts on environmental is-         Third was the support of the Coastal Zone
                 Commission to establish a formal environ-           sues involving two or more of the three             Management programs in each State. This
                 mental program. The major goal of the new           States. The exchange and development of in-         category includes land use planning which is
                 program was to provide a mechanism                  formation on environmental matters of in-           basic to the host of considerations which are
                 whereby representatives of the three States         terest to the Commission will therefore be the      vital to orderly economic growth. A tri-state
                 and the Federal government could develop a          paramount activity of the Environmental Af-         consortium was established in 1974 to ad-
                 meaningful exchange of ideas and activities         fairs Program.                                      dress these issues, share information and
                 designed to restore and preserve the best              As discussed above, the resolution of con-       make project recommendations.
                 features of the Region's environment. An ad-        flicts over environmental concerns, the pre-          The final area was overall communication
                 ditional objective of the program was to            vention of environmental degradation as well        and coordination in environmental matters.
                 minimize the degradation of the environment         as the wise development and management of           Providing useable environmental information
                 while at the same time encourage the orderly        sensitive coastal resources is critical to the      to decision makers requires improvement in
                 economic development of the Region.                 successful economic development of the              communications, clearinghouse operations,
                    The Environmental Affairs Advisory Com-          Region. With this in mind, the Environmental        seminars and related activities. The first step
                 mittee was appointed in the Spring of 1974          Affairs Program began in late 1974 to ad-           toward achieving these tasks on a regional
                 to make action oriented recommendations to          dress four major action areas.                      basis was the scheduling of a Tri-State
                 the Commission, legislative bodies and State           First was the establishment of Regional en-      Working Conference in October, 1974, to
                 agency heads on how these objectives should         vironmental goals. The initial step toward          be sponsored through the cooperative
                 be achieved. In addition to the sponsorship         this action was the development of a base of        projects program of the Coastal Plains Cen-
                 of studies, debates, and other activities, a        knowledge about legal requirements among            ter for Marine Development Services, locat-
                 major undertaking of the program is to pro-         and between the three States and the                ed in Wilmington, North Carolina.

                                                                                                                            A. Total Funds Available                                                                              (rhousands)

                                                                                                                                 Federal Appropriations                                                                               $ 7,320
                                                                                                                                 Share from States to Finance Commission Staff                                                                183
                                                                                                                                 Balance carried forward from FY 1973                                                                     1,004
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      $   8,507
                                Financial Plan and                                                                          B.   Administrative Expenses---Obligations
                                                                                                                                 To finance the Off ice of the Federal
                                Summary Of Obligations                                                                               Cochairman                                                                 $ 218
                                                                                                                                 To finance the Staff of the Commission                                              366
                        14 Fiscal Year 1974                                                                                      Total obligations-Administrative Expenses                                                           $        584

                                                                                                                            C.   Obligations by Programs
                                                                                                                                                                                                         Project Type
                                                                                                                                 Programs                                                     505                    509                     Total

                                                                                                                                 Industrial Development                               $ 1,075                $ 2,733                 $ 3,808
                                                                                                                                 Marine Resources                                             881                     -0-                     881
                                                                                                                                 Agriculture and Forestry                                      137                    -0-                     137
                                                                                                                                 Environmental Affairs*                                         -0-                   -0-                       -0-
                                                                                                                                 Regional Economic Analysis                                     22                    -0-                       22
                                                                                                                                 State Development Nanning                                    300                     -0-                     300
                                                                                                                                     Total                                                  2,415            $ 2,733                 $ 5,148

                                                                                                                                 Grand Total all Obligations                                                                         $ 5,732

                                                                                                                            D. Unobligated at the end of Fiscal Year 1974                                                                 2,775

                                                                                                                                 Total amount for total Program as stated above                                                      $    8,507

                                                                                                                            *Note: This is anew program adopted during FY 1974. 1 ts activities were primarily devoted to planning and organization,
                                                                                                                            hence no program monies were expended in this area in 1974.

                 Technical Assistance Program

                   Section 505 of the Public Works and                                              Technical Assistance Grants-4iscal Year 1974
                 Economic Development Act of 1965, as                                       Regionwide Projects:
                 amended, authorizes the Commission to ex-
                 pend Technical Assistance funds for plan-
                 ning, research, studies, demonstration pro-                                   Deepwater Terminal Study                   $150,000
                 jects and other related activities which will                                 Aeromagnetic Survey                          84,000
                 evaluate the needs of, and develop the                                        Survey and Analysis of                                                15
                 potentialities for economic growth in the                                       Smallwood Production                         9,300
                 Coastal Plains. In addition, the Commission                                        Total                                            $ 243,300
                 may make grants for demonstration projects
                 involving construction and equipping of
                 public facilities.                                                         North Carolina:

                                                                                               Air Service Demonstration                  $ 75,000
                                                                                               Health Preceptor Internship                  10,000
                                                                                               Edenton Ind. Park Study                      18,000
                                                                                               Elizabeth City Ind. Park Study               22,500
                                                                                               Clam Culture Study                           15,000
                                                                                               Blue Crab Handling Study                     17,000
                                                                                               Orthophoto Quadrangle Maps
                                                                                                 of Beaufort                                13,800
                                                                                               Marine Marketing News
                                                                                                 Program                                    20,000
                                                                                               Aquaculture of the American
                                                                                                 Eel Study                                  10,949
                                                                                               Swine Liver Study                              7,375
                                                                                                    Total                                           $ 209,624

                         South Carol i na:                                                                    In Fiscal Year 1974, the Commission used its Demonstration Grant
                                                                                                           authority to fund four projects. Total grants by the Coastal Plains
                            Shell Building Incentive                                                       Regional Commission amounted to $613,000.
                               Program                                    $ 37,500
                            Horticulture- Floriculture                                                     Demonstration Grants-Fiscal Year 1974
                               Job Training                                  35,000
                            Governor's Intern Program                        60,930                        Brunswick County, North Carolina
                            Berkeley Tourist Center                          55,342
                            Tidal Wetlands Study                             27,469                           Water Supply Test Wells
                            Environmental Baseline Study                     129,951                          CPRC Grant-in-aid                                         $ 250,000
                            Aeroradiological Survey                             6,000
                            Decapod Mariculture Study                        57,000                        Camden, South Carolina
                                 Total                                                $ 409,192
                   16                                                                                         Historic Camden Development
                                                                                                              CPRC Grant-in-aid                                         $     63,000
                         Georgia:                                                                          Lumpkin, Georgia
                            Incentive-Oriented Housing                     $300,000
                            U.S. 17 Development Study                        20,000                           1850 Village of Westville
                            Community Leadership Training                    18,000                              Restoration
                            Hand Molded Brick Plant Study                    15,998                              CPRC Grant-in-aid                           $150,000
                            U.S. 301 Corridor Plan                           37,500                           Westville Historic
                            Alumina from Kaolin Study                        25,000                             Handicrafts, Inc.                               37,500
                            Artificial Reef Construction                     40,000                                Total Project Cost                                        187,500
                            Oyster Restoration                               38,000
                            Bicentennial Celebration                                                       Brunswick, Georgia
                               Support                                          3,000
                            Forest Stand Improvements                        60,000                           Fishery Extension Stat  on
                            Blueberry Growth Potential                                                             CPRC Grant-in-aid                         $150,000
                               Demonstration                                 60,000                           State Funds                                       85,000
                                  Total                                                   617,498                  Total Project Cost                                        235,000
                            GRAND TOTAL                                               $1,479,614                   Total                                                $ 735,500

                       Supplemental Grant Program                                                                                                                                                                  Percentage of
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Amount        Eligible Cost

                          The Commission's supplemental grant program (Section 509) dur-                                          Alliance, North Carolina
                       ing Fiscal Year 1974 made possible the joint financing of a total of                                          Pamlico Technical Institute
                       16 regionally significant projects in the Coastal Plains. The amount                                       Basic grant-in-aid---EDA                                           $ 647,500            41.9%
                       of $2,733,400 provided by the Commission's participation complet-                                          Supplemental grant-CPRC                                               388,500           25.1%
                                                                                                                                  State and local funds                                                 509,000           33.0%
                       ed the financing of $16,428,700 of total project cost of the 16 pro-                                          Total eligible project cost                                     $1,545,000          100.0%
                       jects, four of which are located in North Carolina, five in South
                       Carolina and seven in Georgia.                                                                             Edenton, North Carolina
                          Continuing the priority established in previous years for allocation                                       Water System Improvements
                       of supplemental grant funds, a major share was invested in human                                           Basic grant-in-aid-FHA                                             $ 400,000            15.4%
                       resources development activities. Nine of the 16 approved projects                                         Supplemental grant--CPRC                                              250,000              9.6%      17
                       were for the initial construction and equipping of manpower training                                       State and local funds                                              1,950,000            75.0%
                       centers or the expansion of existing technical and vocational educa-                                          Total eligible project cost                                     $2,600,000          100.0%
                       tional facilities. Supplementary funds for these projects amounted to                                      Weldon, North Carolina
                       $2,077,000. The remaining Commission supplemental grant funds                                                 Halifax Technical Institute
                       were invested in the Industrial Development Program.                                                       Basic grant-in-aid----HEW                                          $ 500,000            21.2%
                          Federal grant agencies whose basic grants were supplemented                                             Supplemental grant-CPRC                                               300,000           12.7%
                       were the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Depart-                                          State and local funds                                              1,556,900            66.1%
                       ment of Commerce (Economic Development Administration), the                                                   Total eligible project cost                                     $2,356,900          100.0%
                       Federal Aviation Administration, the Farmer's Home Administration                                          Lugoff, South Carolina
                       and the Department of Interior.                                                                               Water System
                          The projects and financial participation of the localities, States                                      Basic grant-in-aid-f HA                                            $   -0-                    -0-
                       and Federal agencies are shown in the accompanying tabulation.                                             Supplemental grant-CPRC                                                 22,000          65.7%
                                                                                                                                  State and local funds                                                    11,500         34.3%
                                                                                                      Percentage of                  Total eligible project cost                                     $    33,500         100.0%
                                                                                         Amount        Eligible Cost
                       Ocracoke, North Carolina                                                                                   Sumter, South Carolina
                         Ocracoke Water System                                                                                       Sumter Area Technical
                                                                                                                                     Education Center
                       Basic grant-in-aid---EDA                                         $ 385,000              70.0%              Basic grant- in-aid--E DA                                          $ 500,000            38.2%
                       Supplemental grant-CPRC                                                55,000           10.0%              Supplemental grant--CPRC                                              500,000           38.2%
                       State and local funds                                                 110,000           20.0%              State and local funds                                                 310,000           23.6%
                         Total eligible project cost                                    $    550,000         100. 0;/-.              Total eligible project cost                                     $1,310,000          100.0%

                                                                                                      Percentage of                                                                                   Percentage of
                             Pamplico, South Carolina                                     Amount      Eligible Cost          Valdosta, Georgia                                            Amount      Eligible Cost
                               Hannah-Pamplico Career and                                                                      Azalea City Industrial
                               Manpower Training Center                                                                        Water System
                             Basic grant-in-aid--HEW                                      $ -0-                              Basic grant-in-aid--EDA                                      $ 332,000           50.0%
                             Suppiemenial grant-CPRC                                        100,WO           16.7%           Supplemental grant--CPRC                                        150,000          22.6%
                             State and local funds                                          500,000          83.3%           State and local funds                                           182,000          27.4%
                               Total eligible project cost                                $ 600,000          100.0%            Total eligible project cost                                $  664,000          100.0%
                             Manning, South Carolina                                                                         Macon, Georgia
                               Clarendon County Area                                                                           Macon Area Vocational
                               Vocational Education School                                                                     Technical School
                             Basic grant-in-aid--HEW                                      $ -0-                              Basic grant-in-aid--HEW                                      $  75,000           2.3%
                             Supplemental grant-CPRC                                           38,500        43.5%           Supplemental grant-CPRC                                         300,000          9.1%
                     18      State and local funds                                             50,000        56.5%           State and local funds                                        2,925,000           88.6%
                               Total eligible project cost                                $    88,500        100.0%            Total eligible project cost                                $3,300,000          100.0%
                                                                                                                             Brunswick, Georgia
                             Bishopville, South Carolina                                                                       Brunswick Comprehensive
                               Lee County Vocational                                                                           High School
                               Education Center                                                                              Basic grant-in-aid--HEW                                      $ 125,000           20.8%
                             Basic grant-in-aid-HEW                                            _0                            Supplemental grant--CPRC                                        175,000          29.2%
                             Supplemental grant-CPRC                                        100,000          11.1 %          State and local funds                                           300,000          50.0%
                             State and local funds                                          800,000          88.9%             Total eligible project cost                                $  600,000          100.0%
                               Total eligible project cost                                $ 900,000          100.0%
                                                                                                                             Adel, Georgia
                             Crisp County, Georgia                                                                             Adel Industrial Park
                               Lake Blackshear Timber Clearing                                                                 Water System
                             Basic grant-in-aid-BOR                                       $ 102,300          50.0%           Basic grant-in-aid-EDA                                       $ 370,200           60.0%
                             Supplemental grant-CPRC                                           53,000        25.9%           Supplemental grant-CPRC                                         123,400          20.0%
                             State and local funds                                             49,300        24.1%           State and local funds                                           123,400          20.0%
                               Total eligible project cost                                  204,600          100.0%            Total eligible project cost                                $  617,000          100.0%
                                                                                                                             Columbus, Georgia
                             Metter, Georgia                                                                                   Muscogee-Fort Benning
                               Metter-Candler County Airport                                                                   Chattahoochee High School
                             Basic grant-in-aid-FAA                                       $    44,400        75.0%           Basic grant-in-aid---HEW                                     $ 100,000           10.0%
                             Supplemental grant--CPRC                                          3,000           5.0%          Supplemental grant-CPRC                                         175,000          17.5%
                             State and local funds                                             11,800        20.0%           State and local funds                                           725,000          72.5%
                               Total eligible project cost                                $    59,200        100.0%            Total eligible project cost                                $1,000,000          100.0%

                                                                                 Conclusion

                                                           The Coastal Plains Regional Commisison has been in existence for
                                                        a relatively short period of time -yet great strides have been made
                                                        in accelerating the development of the Region and its resources. In a
                                                        cooperative effort between the States and Federal government, the
                                                        Commission has developed and implemented a plan of action for
                                                        bringing about a significant measure of economic progress for the
                                                        Region's citizens.                                                                                                 19
                                                           This action oriented plan represents a balanced approach to in-
                                                        creased productivity and higher incomes on the one hand, while
                                                        seeking to meet contemporary influences and standards for the en-
                                                        vironment on the other.
                                                           Regionalism has proved to be a sound means for achieving this
                                                        type of balanced development.
                                                           Equally important, the Regional Commission concept has pro-
                                                        vided a rationale and a vehicle for closer and more meaningful
                                                        Federal-State collaboration in matters of mutual interest and con-
                                                        cern. The CPRC, based on this premise of intergovernmental
                                                        partnership, has provided a forum for the exchange of viewpoints
                                                        of both levels and a platform from which to launch a concerted effort
                                                        toward working out realistic solutions.
                                                           In addition, this partnership has proven to be an excellent and ef-
                                                        fective means for involving citizen-leaders in this search for solutions
                                                        to problems affecting the Coastal Plains Region.
                                                           From very tenuous beginnings, the CPRC has emerged at the
                                                        forefront of development efforts in this vast Region of our Nation.
                                                        The task ahead is still enormous, but not insurmountable. The Com-
                                                        mission pledges itself and its resources to continue active and ag-
                                                        gressive regional action planning and economic development in mak-
                                                        ing the goals and objectives a reality.

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