[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]
0 ACE-BasIn Econonomic Forun Healthy Economy, Healthy Environment An Action Agendafor Compatible Economic Development HC 107 S6 C65 1996 July 1996 d Published by the ACE Basin Economic Forum P.O. Box 165 Walterboro, S.C. 29488 July 1996 I I EXECUTWE SUMMARY ver the past year, more than 100 Colleton County 0 Economic development and environmental conserva- residents and other interested individuals have worked tion are not mutually exclusive -instead, they can be hundreds of hours helping to prepare the county and mutually reinforcing. the ACE Basin for the years ahead. The forum includes 0 Conservation of natural resources and protection of individuals with a wide range of interests and back- the environment can lead to economic opportunity grounds who participated in numerous meetings, a day- for local residents. long retreat, task groups, and a final review session. The - Economic development need not lead to environmen- process was overseen by an 8-person Steering Commit- tal damage and loss of natural and cultural heritage. tee and sponsored by the-Colleton County Resource and Development Board, the Walterboro-Colleton -County This view is not wishful thinking. We found here, in Chamber of Commerce, the Colleton County Council, the Colleton County and the ACE Basin, just like elsewhere Lowcountry Council of Governments and The Nature Con- in the nation, that those concerned about jobs and those servancy. The Pew Charitable Trusts, Mary Flagler Cary dedicated to resource conservation can discover ways Charitable Trust, Hillsdale Fund, S.C. Forestry Commission to find common ground across their respective agendas and U.S. Forest Service funded the work. The Corpora- and develop solutions for mutual benefit. tion for Enterprise Development, a nonprofit economic development consulting firm, provided advice and pro- Furthermore, achieving this vision of compatible devel- f6ssional assistance. opment must be guided by a clear sense of the values that we seek to support and enhance in our community. After working together for twelve months, the group has They include: created an action agenda for compatible development which it believes will foster job creation and business - Expanding opportunity development, while still protecting the area's -unique 0 Increasing self-sufficlency natural resources and rural way of life. 0 Preserving our heritage 0 Conserving the environment Indeed, our work has been underpinned by three guid- ing principles: 'A 2, Li@@ 1-B, Z A -16 OF 4 10 - M Aig o ASIA pt alzpj M K, t 1111, 1111, The action agenda presents a planfor economic idtallby while 4 R conservin the area's 7_ 9 cultural and natural assets. The McLeod house (ca. 1835), is among thefine homes found in Wolterboro's historic district a major (1vei tourism attraction in _1 Colleton County. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz. 4 4 � Support the Scenic Parkway Concept Plan and des- ignation effort � Develop a consistent ACE Basin graphic identity that would apply to all brochures, maps and other visl-' tor-related materials � Support a rails-to-trails project � Develop primary and secondary environmental and heritage education programs � Develop college courses on coastal resources plan- ning and economic development � Create educational and awareness programs and materials designed to educate and orient people liv- ing in the region about its natural and cultural assets and their value to the region when developed in a sustainable fashion Strategy three: Promote environmentally compatible business development 0 Create a business development planning process and initial business feasibility plans for natural resource- based products - Create and implement branding and trademarking of area products The Edisto Nature Trail, located in Jacksonboro, welcomes visitors to the ACE0Provide assistance to local businesses in creating gasin, a region rich in biological and historic resources. Photo by Michael business plans and identifying necessary resources Prevost. to implement those plans 0 Develop a full-scale marketing plan for natural and Based on our task group planning process and the re- cultural resource-based tourism in the region search conducted by our consultants, we recommend 0 Build on existing rural tourism efforts and assets that our area's leadership tackle three strategic priori- 0 Create management standards for visitor safety and ties: resource impacts for tourism in the ACE Basin - Mobilize business development resources to benefit � Strategy one: Create aframeworkfor responsible growth Colleton County � Strategy two: Enhance the awareness, understanding, and - Establish educational programs for businesses oper- appreciation of the ACE Basin ating in the region on how to operate in an environ- � Strategy three: Promote environmentally-compatible busi- mentally conscious manner with respect to waste ness development management, wildlife impact and other resource considerations The Action Agenda Progress on this ambitious agenda will not happen over- Working in task groups, community residents have night. To succeed, we need to get going today on those forged an action agenda for building a vibrant economy, initiatives that need to be implemented first, as well as while preserving our natural and cultural heritage. show early results on some of our longer-range goals. Strategy one: Create aframeworkfor responsible growth If we are to accomplish our objectives of winning in the marketplace and also preserving our area's quality of � Develop a comprehensive land use plan and a sup- I ife, we need to work together. This plan is not the agenda portive ordinance of one segment of the community - it is and must be our � Develop an integrated development tourism, and game plan. resource management plan We need your help. Our agenda for promoting compat- Strategy two: Enhance the awareness, understanding and ap- ible economic development requires building a new part- preciation of the ACE Basin nership for economic opportunity and for quality of life. Develop a visitor/interpretive center in the ACE Ba- Join us. sin near US Highway 17 2 ;M-1 HEALTHY ECONOMY, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT EMBRACING THE CHALLENGE merica is not only a country comprised of of natural communities and 1,500 species of plants and states and of towns and cities. It is also a nation of re- animals. Still in a nearly natural condition, the ACE Ba- gions: the Mississippi Delta, the Deep South, the Chesa- sin is virtually unpolluted. It has an isolated and unde- peake, the Eastern Shore, the Upper Peninsula, the Four veloped character that adds to its ecological significance Comers, the ACE Basin. and uniqueness. In many respects, this is the real America. State and lo- Indeed, it is a priority region for habitat protection under cal economies are jurisdictional fictions. Cultural identi- the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. It is ties cross county boundaries. Working ecosystems are one of 35 world-class conservation sites in The Nature larger than the national and state conservation lands, Conservancy's Last Great Places Program. It is a National preserves and land trusts that seek to protect their indi- Estuarine Research Reserve. vidual environmental integrity. Thomas Lovejoy, an internationally famous biologist, an The ACE Basin is no different. Located 45 miles south- assistant secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and west of Charleston, South Carolina, this multi-county re- founder of Nature, the most popular long-term series on gion is rich in history and tradition. It is where the public television, describes it as -a place where the glo- Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto rivers flow into a com- ries of the South Carolina Lowcountry are at their peak. mon embayment, an interlocking web of upland and It is a place for sandpipers and for sand between your wetland ecological systems - supporting over 30 types toes. It is a place for snakebirds, porpoises, magnificent J1, W - -1 Loki Im The Pon Pon Chapel of Ease t (ca. 1706), located near Jacksonborp, represents one of Colleton County's manycultural resources. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz. nature. The area also faces economic difficulties. Poorer cypress trees and waterfowl in. abundance. It is a show- than the rest of the state and nation, but doing some- case for nature and a wonderful classroom of the glo- what better than many similar rural areas, its public and ries and importance of wetlands for all.who can be in- private leadership needs to overcome the obstacles hold- duced to come. ing back its economic fortunes. These forces, include: wide income disparities, an economy which is still mostly But the ACE Basin is more than a natural laboratory. It low-end and low-wage, weak labor force skills and the is also our home - a, place where people descended need for more governmental and business investment. from a variety of different ethnic backgrounds have built Yet, there are also factors pushing the region forward: its their livelihood on its biological riches. Our efforts to strong entrepreneurship, its strength in particular indus- create a way of life and a better home for our children trial sectors, its economic relationship to Charleston, its have shaped the Basin's history, culture, and sense of better than average health and housing resources, its identity. Our food, music, settlement patterns, architec- healthy natural resource base and its high quality of life. ture and occupations all subtly reflect the past and our connection with the land. How can the citizenry of the ACE Basin area best ad-- dress these twin challenges? How can we expand our Our people have taken good care of the Basin's lands. economic opportunities without undermining our natu- Careful stewardship has left our resources and the eco- ral and cultural assets? How can the job of conservation system in excellent condition. Thousands still are em- become an economic development task as well? ployed in and profit from industries that still depend on productive timber, farmlands and waters. This is the mission that the people of the ACE Basin and especially the residents of Colleton County have tackled. But today the human and non-human inhabitants of the We are choosing to create new working models for pro- ACE Basin face new challenges. Its natural systems may moting more environmentally compatible economic de- be threatened in the future by growing numbers of velopment. The rest of this report describes the back- people, misuses of land, water and natural resources and ground for this decision and maps out the area's new the resulting pollution caused by growth and modern path to prosperity. technologies. The report starts by providing some further information The challenges we face are not only environmental in on how it was created. Next, it describes the guiding 7n @Mg 4, V, 1 & The Basin's 1A, 4la AN abundant timber resources are kw_ M, important to the economic base Of the region. Photo courtesy of SC @Z@3 Department of Natural Resources 406 4 The Historical Library (ca. 1820), currently located on Wichman Stred was used at its original site to set Walterboro's town boundaries. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz. principles about the relation- ship between smart develop- ment and wise resource man- agement and outlines the shared vision and values that underpin its proposals. Fol- lowing this, it grounds its hopes for the future in the real facts about the economic and environmental strengths and weaknesses of the area. It does this by presenting the results of a detailed study of these topics by an external consulting firm. The report closes by outlining the strategic priorities that follow from In many ways the origins of our planning efforts rest on this analysis and the community's values and dreams an earlier study, A Study of the Economicimpact of theACE for a better future and by summarizing more than a dozen Basin Project on Colleton County, South Carolina, authored detailed recommendations for promoting environmen- by professors at the Department of Economics and Ge- tally compatible development in the region and in ography at the University of North Florida. The report Colleton County. proposed that 'What is now needed is a strategic plan that is focused on economic growth. A strategic plan facilitates the identification of proper goals and objec- tives for the county, identifies the best strategies for their The ACE Basin Economic Forum in Action accomplishment, and encourages frequent revision of both goals and strategies. It is one of the most useful Over the past 12 months, more than 100 Colleton County tools a local planner or decision-maker can have at his residents and other interested individuals have worked disposal. It is recommended that a cooperative effort of hundreds of hours helping to prepare the county and the Colleton County Council, the Colleton County Re- the ACE Basin for the years ahead. We have attended a source and Development Board, and the City and County one-day retreat, numerous task group meetings, and fi- Joint Planning Commission be undertaken to generate nal review sessions as part of an action planning pro- such a plan, and to establish a mechanism for updating cess sponsored by the Colleton County Resource and both the plan and its objectives over time." Development Board, the Walterboro-Colleton County Chamber of Commerce, the Colleton County Council, the Thus, the focus for this strategizing effort was to de- Lowcountry Council of Governments and The Nature velop a community-based plan for compatible and sus- Conservancy and funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, tainable economic development in the ACE Basin and Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, Hillsdale Fund, S.C. the surrounding area. Our goals were: Forestry Commission and U.S. Forest Service. A project steering committee comprised of eight persons together 1. To develop a practical planforpriority action -mapping with four task group chairs supervised the process. We responsibilities, clear and measurable goals, timelines and sought advice and project assistance from the Washing- an exciting, but realistic vision for the area. ton, D.C.-based Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED), a nonprofit economic development consulting firm, and logistical assistance from the staff of the Colleton Joseph Perry, Louis Woods, and Jeffrey Steagall, A Study of the Economic im- PaCt of the ACE Basin Paect on Colleton Counly. S.Q Pages 4-5. Department of County Resource and Development Board. Economics and Ceography, University of North Florida-Jacksonville, 1993. 5 2. To identify priority business opportunities for compatible development. 3. To enable local citizens and public officials to gain a better understanding of the area's economic, social and environmental conditions, and of the potential options for compatible development. Guiding Principles This entire project has been driven by a view that the Basin's economic development and conservation agen- das can be better meshed together. This perspective is A supported by three guiding principles. ik 11, ,1 Economic development and environmental conser- vation are not mutually exclusive -instead, they can The South Carolina Artisans center, located in Walterboro, offers indigenousfine crafts andfolk artfrom more than 3 00jurored artists, attracting visitorsfrom be mutually reinforcing. around the world. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz. � Conservation of natural resources and protection of markets for "green' products, healthier foods, and:crafts the environment can lead to economic opportunity constitute new niches for more profitable use of existing for local residents. natural resources. Protecting the environment and tap- ping its resources in a more sustainable fashion can be � Economic development need not lead to environmen- good business, as well as good conservation. tal damage and loss of natural and cultural heritage. A Shared Vision Th is view is not wishful thinking. Increasingly, economic development professionals and conservationists are find- If we are to move beyond the false choices, such as the Jng common ground across their respective agendas. environment versus jobs, or opportunity versus competi- New environmentally-based industries are gaining mar- tiveness, we need to think outside the old boxes and ket share and constitute strong contenders for tapping adopt a different vision for development, one that seeks overseas markets in developed nations, developing coun- to better mesh conservation and job creation goals. We tries and emerging market economies. Some of the fast- see this new mission for development as achieving a est growing rural economies are those whose amenities widely shared and sustainable quality of qe.2 attract tourists and new residents. Waste reduction, en- ergy efficiency, and pollution prevention cut costs for What does this mean? How do we know if we are get- companies and raise profits and productivity. Emerging ting there? The ACE Basin National Wildi#e Refuge and otherpublic natural resource areas attract visitorsfrom across the country. Photo courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service. X What is described in the "Shared vision" section is quite similar to the earlier vision statement authored by the local . . . . . . . . . . 7- LEAP planning effort: "Colleton County will enter the 21 st Century as a clean, progressive community. The education facilities will be modern, well-equipped, and provide local Industries with a labor force equipped to compete world wide. ,f- O@A5@ The availability of county wide services such as water, sewer, emergency services, and trash disposal complemented by a wide range of recreational opportunities will result in a high quality of living for residents throughout the county." This is our vision for the future: They include: Development our economy is growing. Our stan- Expanding Opportunity We must ensure that our de- dard of living is rising. We are creating more and bet- velopment agenda benefits all - creating a range of ter jobs. New firms are forming. Existing enterprises job opportunities, aimed at the most and the least- are expanding, modernizing and targeting more prof- skilled, both within and outside the ACE Basin. itable market niches. New businesses are being at- tracted. Increasing Self-Sufficiency We must ensure that our community develops in such a way that we encour- Shared Development We are expanding the oppor- age enterprise, responsibility, and ownership - thus tunity to produce. There are greater opportunities for reinforcing the independence that characterizes rural local residents to participate in the ownership and America. We must create more family-wage jobs so management of the area's economy. More of the that the numbers of our poor decrease and all have young people are continuing to live and work pro- the opportunity to live as the middle-class. ductively in the area. The economic gap between the races has been narrowed. Preserving Our Heritage We must ensure that we maintain our traditions, our values and the quality of Sustainable Development We are achieving these our cultural environment as we pursue ways to com- goals in a manner that invests for the long haul, that pete better in our changing global economy. is not detrimental to our limited clean air, water and countryside, that preserves the region's high quality Conserving The Environment We must ensure that of life and that meets "the needs of the present with- the development projects that we propose and imple- out compromising the ability of future generations to ment do not, at a minimum, undermine the quality of meet their own needs.' the local environment. Moreover, we wish that some of our initiatives go beyond this basic standard and Indeed, this is what today's residents of the ACE Basin actually reduce environmental threats and demon- wish to do. We want to thank God, nature, and our an-- strate more sustainable use of natural resources. cestors for the riches that they have bequeathed us by handing over this sacred trust to future generations. Our development plans cannot solely rest on our hopes Guiding Values and dreams. They also must be grounded in our reali- ties. The next section helps to do just this by answering To succeed in achieving this vision, we must choose ac- questions like: How does this community stack up against tions that are guided by a clear sense of the values that its competitors? From where has its economy come? we seek to support and enhance in our community. What is happening to it? What are its critical challenges? Nature-based tounsm offers signtficant opportunities to broaden the region's economy. Photo by Cherie Pittillo. V, 741 11 6 it Wwl- J MIR a 5_4 0 HOW DOES THIS COMMUNITY RATE? n order to ensure that this development plan- were principally used in the original retreat, which se- ning effort did not set off in a wrong direction, the com- lected the task group areas upon which to focus. munity asked its consultants, CFED, to provide an inde- pendent view on the area by putting together a data Second, the community's view May be colored by myths profile and by talking to local residents about the region's which should be dispelled by more accurate informa- development past, present and prospects. tion. The analysis can help here as well. More specifically, this analysis was designed to be used The third way was as a source of data that can help the in three ways. The first is to help the people of Colleton steering committee and task group leaders to define and County and the ACE Basin to develop a shared idea of work on specific project planning ideas. where the community is today. All too often, communi- ties stumble early on in the planning process, because The rest of this section looks at what the quantitative residents have very different ideas about what the data said about the community's economic and envi- community's problems are. By providing its planning ronmental health and what its own citizenry had to say effort with some basic economic, social and environ- about its development strengths, weaknesses and po- mental data, the consultants hoped to paint a broad pic- tential destiny. (For more detail and factual support for ture of where the area's economy is today - a picture the interpretations presented below, readers may want that would be used by the county's residents as a re- to consult the complete economic and environmental source in building a shared idea of the key issues and assessments.) problems facing the community. This was how the data Extensive salt marshes support an important regional seafood industry. Photo by Jeff Lepore. ............... . .... . . .... . .. Colleton"s Economic Health In order to fully assess how well Colleton stacked up it is not as good as the U.S. and South Carolina, but against its peers, CFED conducted comparisons of better than many peer counties in the number of doc- Colleton County to South Carolina and United States av- tors per capita, the number of hospital beds per capita, erages, 14 similar U.S. counties, regional competitors, and the rate of high school graduation and the low amount neighboring counties in its regional econoMy.3 It looked of substandard housing.10 at: But, the crime rate is higher than most of the other 14 counties, and it is well above South Carolina average Economic Status - How well is the community's in teen pregnancy, the low percentage of mothers re- economy performing? In other words, how well is ceiving prenatal care and the percent of teens who the economy doing its job of offering people the op- were "idle' (not in school or working)." portunity for a better life? What about population growth? Here we find that: Business Vitality and "ftends - How vital are the community's businesses? What are the businesses that * Meanwhile, contrary to national rural trends, people compose the area's economy? How dynamic and are moving into Colleton .12 adaptive and strong are they? . But, this may be little more than a "bedroom commu- nity- effect relating to Charleston. (Of the 15 peers, � Development Capacity - How strong is the Colleton had the highest percent of people working community's ability to provide the resources needed outside in another county.) 13 by businesses in today's global economy? Are the resources in place to fuel and sustain economic growth By far the most disturbing finding is that there are signifi- over the long term? cant economic disparities between blacks and whites which have only worsened in recent years, not improved. � Competitive Positioning - How equipped is the over- all economy to meet todays development challenges? While poverty for Colleton's whites is 9.5 percent, it is 40 percent for the county's blacks (much higher than EconornkStafus the rates for all blacks in South Carolina and the U.S.) - and the gap has widened since 1980. Meanwhile, In comparison to South Carolina and the U.S., Colleton's economy is not performing well: 3[the 15 peer counties] The peer counties were chosen according to 7 criteria: * Colleton has a higher percentage of people living in population size (between 18,000-48,000), racial composition (40%-70% White poverty, and average income is only two-thirds of the and 30%-60% Black), population density (5-35 persons per Sq. KM), number of U.S. average .4 farms (240-720), percent income from farms (1-75%), manufacturing (15-40%) and services (10-25%). . Employment growth has been slow and unemploy- 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Social, Economic and Housing ment high since the early 1990s.1 aaracterist(cs, South Carolina, Bureau of the Census, US Department of Commerce, * The gap between rich and poor may be widening as Washington, DC. income from dividends, interest and rent has increased I The Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US De- while income from wages and salaries has decreased .6 partment of Commerce, Washington, DC, may 1995. Vd. This may be a product of still being a rural county - The City and County Data Book Bureau of the Census, Economic and Statistics when compared to 14 other similar counties, Colleton Division, US Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, 1994. actually does fairly well: ibid. . Colleton has fewer poor (only four of the other 14 rank The Regional Economkinformation System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US De- 7 partment of Commerce, Washington, DC, May 1995. better in poverty). . Income is average for a rural area.8 10 The City and County Data Book Bureau of the Census, Economic and Statistics . The employment and earning outlook is moderately Division, U.S Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, 1994. good (notably, ranking fourth best in unemployment).9 11 ibid. Colleton's mixed quality of life and population growth 12 ibid. may be cause for cautious optimism. Let's look at qual- 13 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Social, Economic and Housing ity of life: Characteristics, South Carolina, Bureau of the Census, US Department of Commerce, Washington, DC. 0 almost half (44.9 percent) of all African-American chil- But in the past five years or so, growth in the number dren in Colleton live in poverty. 14 of proprietors and their earnings has slowed to levels The gap persists beyond poverty. Whites make more near or below S.C. and the U.S. average. Also propri- than twice as much as blacks in Colleton - in all of etor growth is not outpacing wage and salary work- South Carolina White income is 80 percent more than ers anymore .20 black." Blacks have a much harder time finding jobs than The sectoral breakdown of Colleton's economy shows whites in Colleton. The unemployment rate for whites tendencies to favor low-end, low-tech and low-value- is barely 2 percent - below"full employment'- while added sectors, with the exception of strength in some the unemployment rate for blacks is above 10 per- manufacturing sectors. cent .16 � Services and retail account for over 40 percent of Colleton's employment, but they have some of the Business Vitality and Trends lowest earnings; only farm earnings are lower �The two smallest sectors are wholesale trade and Entrepreneurship, a key com- ponent of a vital and dynamic business sector has been strong in Colleton for the past decade, though it may be weakening .. ... ..... .... . People who own a business are doing better in Colletion than those working for others. They are earning more and seeing their earning increase at .faster rate in the last 10 years.17 Colleton's black- and women-owned businesses employ people at a higher rate than in the rest of the U.S.18 There was a large increase A in the number of new com- panies in Colleton, even as the number of new compa- nies decreased in both South Carolina and the U.S. as a whole in the early St. Helena Sound's nearshore waters are productive grounds for commercial shrimping. Photo courtesy of SC 1990s.19 Department of Natural Resources. The 1980 and the 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Social, Eco- 18 1987 Economic Census: Survey OF Minority-Owned Business Enterprises and 1987 nomic and Housing Characteristics, South Carolina, Bureau of the Census, US De- Economi Census: Women-Owned Businesses, Bureau of the Census, US Department partment of Commerce, Washington, DC; and South Carolina State Budget and of Commerce, Washington, DC. Control Board and the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Ser- vices, Kids Count South Carolina (revised edition: August 1995). South Carolina Employment Security Commission, South Carolina Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census, US Department of commerce, Washington, DC. 20 The Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US South Carolina Employment Security Commission, South Carolina Department Department of Commerce, Washington, DC. May 1995. of Commerce. 21 The Regional Economic Iformation System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US 17 The Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, May 1995. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, May 1995. 10 transportation/communications/public utilities, the two sectors with the highest earnings in Colleton .22 The most pronounced growth in the past ten years was in sectors that do not require many specialized skills: retail and wholesale trade, and to a lesser ex- tent, serviceS.23 However manufacturing, the third largest sector, fol- lows a different pattern. Although it has consolidated and lost some jobs, compared to the U.S. and S.C., it has seen significant increases in pay and in the num- ber of large establishmentS.24 Development Resources Colleton's businesses and industries need access to strong resources to be competitive and innovative: � A skilled workforce � Access to high technology � Adequate financial resources � Strong modem infrastructure Combined with a good quality of life, and a dynamic and entrepreneurial business sector, resources can pave the way to increased economic well-being - for all Colleton's citizens. But, like its economic performance and quality of life, Colleton's resources are mixed. Let's look first at its resource weaknesses. AW 4, Colleton's human resources are poorer than other coun- ties, making it extremely difficult to encourage growth in high-end industries. A valuable blue crobfishery isfound in the salt and brackish waterportion of the Basin's rivers. Photo courtesy of SC Department of Natural . SAT scores are low, and are falling faster than S.C. Resources. and the U.S.25 . Few students graduate high school, and very few go 22 ibid. on to college .26 23. . A smaller percentage of adults have graduated from Ibid. high school or college than in S.C. or the U.S.27 24. ibid. Colleton county's public coffers are low, taking in little 2' Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey; telephone conversation revenue, and restricting its ability to invest in itself. Most May, 1995. pointedly Colleton is: 16 1990 Census of Population and Housing, Summary Social, Economic and Housing Charaderistics, South Carolina, Bureau of the Census, US Department of Commerce, . Last out of 15 peer counties in local government gen- Washington, DC. eral revenue per $1,000 of local citizen's income .28 27 ibid. . 10th of 15 in federal funds received per capita (with 21 Ithe 15 peer counties] The peer counties were chosen according to 7 criteria, little improvement).29 population size (between 18,000-48,000), racial composition (400/o-70% White . Low in per capita spending, with little growth (14th and 30% Black), population density (5-35 persons per Sq. KM), number of farms (240-720), percent income from farms (1-75%), manufacturing (15-40%) and out of 15) in comparison with the peer counties, but services (10-25%). relatively high compared with other rural counties in Local Government revenue from 777e Oly and CountyData Book, Bureau of the South Carolina .30 Census, Economic and Statistics Division, US Department of Commerce, Wash- ington, DC, 1994. Financial resources are limited, meaning less money to 29 Ibid. fund new business start-ups and expand existing ones. 30 Ibid. 0 Colleton has few banks per capita (11 th out of 15 peer counties) and fewer deposits (13th Out Of 15).31 Now, let us examine the area's resource strong points. Colleton's housing stock is good for a rural county: The value of much of Colleton's housing stock is high and getting better compared to peer counties (though low versus the U.S.): out of 15 counties it ranks 4th in median home value and 3rd in the increase in me- 32 than home value But, the picture is not completely rosy, as the county ranks only about average in measures of overcrowd- ing (8th), the percent of units that are substandard (8th), and the percent of homes that are vacant (13th) .33 Colleton's health care resources, though not as strong as those of many urban areas, are very strong for a ru- ral community. A The county ranks in the middle (8th) in doctors per 100,000 and moderately high (5th) in hospital beds per 100,000 versus peers .34 Hope Plantation and many other privately owned former lice plantations have been perpetually protected through conservation easements. Conservation easements allow compatible uses, including forest management, agriculture and hunting, to continue. Photo by Jeff Lepore. High quality maritime forests border salt marshes. Photo by Carol Weeks. COMPetitve P0sitiong Two sets of regional forces are pulling Colleton in differ- ent directions. Historical economic and geographic ties to the Lowcountry are strong. Traditionally, Colleton has been grouped with its southern rural neighbors, but it appears to be moving from its agricultural roots. Not many are still farming and those who do are making less and le ss money.31 _ 31 ibid. Is Ibid. 33 Ibid. 34 Ibid. 35 The Regional Economic information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, May 1995. 12 Then, there is the growing relationship to Charleston to the north and that citys growing service-based economy. This evolution is increasingly Colleton's future. The area has strong commuting patterns back and forth between Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties - but not with Beaufort and Jasper counties .36 The Charleston re- F-@;r gion is doing well in terms of jobs and wages in com- parison to its competitor regions in spite of the Navy Yard closure .37 AS However, Colleton has had difficulty in participating in its region's overall economic success. Its employment qU growth and per capita income are far below the region's. Only strong recent growth in per capita income signals that Colleton may be beginning to reap the benefits of its links .38 Thus, poorer than the rest of South Carolina and the U.S. 1119 but better off than many similar counties, Colleton needs to overcome a number of obstacles that characterize tra large racial in- V ditional rural economies in the South come and employment disparities, an economy too de pendent on low-skill and low-wage jobs, low educational Productivefarmland is a valuable asset levels, and limited public and private capital resources. contributing to the local economy. Yet, other factors - its entrepreneurial initiative, its Photo by Michael Prevost. strength in particu- lar manufacturing sectors, its eco- nomic ties to the growing Charles- ton economy and its better-than-av- erage health care and housing re- sources - are forces for progress. 77 A AS seen by the fact that Colleton is linked with Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley but not with Beaufort and Jasper In calculations for Commuting Zones from the 1990 Census. Available from the Economic Research Service of the US Thousands of acres offormer tidewater rice Department of Agriculture. See the Regional Performance Benchmark System fields, datingfrom the mid-eighteenth (The Corporation for Enterprise Development, 1993) for fuller discussion. century, are now maintained as important habitatfor wetland wildift. Photo 37 Analyzed using data measures of the Regional Performance Benchmark Sys- courtesy of US Fish and Wildlife Service. tem, which were calculated from employment and earnings data provided by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce. 13 Colletion's 0 Its pristine beauty and its variety of plants and wildlife make it a place with great potential for further out- Environmental Health door recreation, birding, and nature-based tourism development. The earlier part of this section provided a fairly detailed . Its unique ecological character creates significant op- snapshot of where the community is today, economi- portunities for environmental research and education. cally. This part will examine the area's environmental 0 The quality and distinctiveness of the Basin's ecosys- health. Its purpose is not solely to be concerned about tem is also recognized and acclaimed nationally. public health or habitat protection. Next, how healthy are its environmental assets? Instead, there are strong and compelling economic de- Colleton County and other ACE Basin counties are placed velopment rationales for conducting such an evaluation. in the top national and state ranks in: Because it is increasingly clear that the health of an area's economy - the level of its water and air pollution, the 0 WateirQuality - good supplies of fresh water and low uniqueness of its local amenities and overall quality of levels of water pollution life, and the productivity and vitality of its natural re- 0 Forest Resources - a significant supply of timber and source assets such as its timber, its soils and agriculture, high profitability its wildlife and its fishing grounds - has significant mar- 0 Fishing Resources - abundant aquatic life and pro- ketplace implications in generating jobs and income. ductive fishing waters, continuing potential forjob and How do you take the measure of an area's environmen- income generation tal quality and assets? On the surface the answers are 0 Farm Resources - healthy soils and proper farmland simple. Less toxic pollution is better. Less soil erosion is stewardship to minimize erosion better. Less impaired rivers and streams are better. Fewer In conclusion, the ACE Basin is recognized, internation- nitrates in wells are better. Less polluted shellfish waters ally and nationally, as a "world-class' ecosystem. Major are better. progress has been made on conserving the area based Although the data sources for reaching these conclu- on unique partnerships between landowners, conserva- tion organizations, and government agencies. But, to sions are more meager than the vast information banks date, Colleton County has yet to make the use of the of social and economic facts, we can still construct a comparative economic advantage offered by the ACE reasonably accurate and useful picture of environmen- Basin. However, there is still even a larger challenge: tal health of both Colleton County and the ACE Basin. can it do so, without eroding its original advantage - its Now, let's answer a few key questions. wonderful natural amenities - as new economic activity To begin with, why is the ACE Basin important? is fostered and population size and density increases? This ecological system performs important natural func- Local Voices tions and provides direct economic uses: These data findings were confirmed through other, more � Wetlands are natural filters that fight pollution and qualitative research. During the earliest phase of the maintain water quality. � Wetlands provide natural flood control. � Wetlands are essential spawning and nursery grounds for recreational and commercial fisheries. � The ACE Basin provides the timber for commercially 38 ibid. important forest products. More than 67 percent of 39 Percentage of Timberland: USDA Forest service, Forest Statistics for South Caro- Colleton County's land is timberland, of which 29.2 lina, 1993; Volume of Growing Stock and Sawtimber on Timberland: USDA For- est Service, Forest Statistics for South Carolina, 1993; and Cash Receipts from percent is owned by the forest industry. In 1992, Forest Products: Clemson University Forestry Department, Value of Forest Prod- Collet6n County had $24,317,000 in cash receipts, ucts Sold from all of South Carolina Woodlands, 1992. nearly double the receipts of the average South Caro- 40 Project Plan: The ACE Basin. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources lina county.39 Department. August 1989. 22 pp. � it is a habitat for game (historically up to 14 percent 11 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 1991. Ashepoo-Combahee- of the dabbling ducks in the Atlantic Flyway overwin- Edisto (ACE) Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve in South Carolina. Final ter in the Basin)40 and for endangered and threatened Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Management Plan. U.S. Department species (the Basin has the highest concentration of of Commerce. Washington, D.C. 115 pp. nesting Southern bald eagles in the state)41 and sup- 41 ACE Basin Biological Inventory Report 19913-92. 1993. The Nature Conser- ports over 30 types of natural plant communities.42 vancy 36 pp. 14 Ricefield trunks, originally used to manipulate water levels for rice culture, are now used to manage rice fields as waterfowl habitat Photo by 0- - Michael Prevost. gp V F R. MAX is -A -A -40 project, our consultants, CFED, did not restrict their work to only number crunching - they also interviewed more than 50 people, seek- ing their views on the ACE Basin, Colleton County and the future of the area. Tlhey spoke to: x,,A Ia � Company owners and plant managers � Foresters and lumber companies � Farmers � Fishermen � Realtors � State and federal agencies � Local politicians and officials � Conservation organizations � Tourism and industrial development organizations � Education leaders But measures taken so far to protect the ACE Basin are � Business groups also perceived by some as liabilities, because they may � Landowners involve: � Community activists . Tlhe removal of land from the tax rolls The goals of these conversations were to gather local . The reduction of land for development wisdom about the area from a broad cross-section of . An infringement of individual property rights the community, to shape the structure of the planning * its symbolism of government interference process, to identify initial development priorities and con- . The exclusion of local interests cerns and to help the consultants to better interpret the 0 The possibility for increased environmental regulation quantitative data about the area that they were collect- ing and analyzing. In summarizing their interviews, CFED reached the following conclusions. What Do We Have Going For Us? ACE Basin: Asset or Liability? The ACE Basin also is a direct source of development First, the ACE Basin is viewed by the populace as an as- strength and opportunity. The interviews pointed out set for the following reasons: that it is: * An important and emerging regional tourism center � It is a nationally recognized area of unspoiled envi- - nature-based tourism, historic attractions and an edu- ronment. cational center - a creator of local employment and � The Basin is regionally important resource for hunt- revenues ing and fishing. * A marketing concept -"produced in the ACE Basin' � It is a growing regional tourist attraction. 0 A symbol of quality of life for industrial attraction to � The area possesses significant sustainable forestry and Colleton County marine fishery reserves. . A preserver of traditional uses of land and natural re- � Successful conservation partnerships between land- sources owners, conservation organizations and government a A comprehensive teaching laboratory for local schools agencies exist in the ACE Basin. 15 0 The local voices also highlighted the Colleton County's The Artisans Center is a successful new initiative that other strengths and opportunities: serves both tourism, arts, and educational goals. .The County Museum is an under-valued resource. Nationally successful companies have located in the area. What's Holding Us Back? It possesses a good labor force - adaptable to mod- em production methods, with low turnover and ab- The interviews did not pull any punches and described a senteeism (but limited by education levels). number of troubling weaknesses, such as: Environmental regulation is effective and efficient - companies did not complain about compliance diffi- .Little or no preparation for the expected surge of culties. growth along coastal region in the next two decades The Walterboro Airport and the Industrial Park pro- - there are no plans to ensure sustainable, long-term vide a focus for industrial attraction. benefits. Local resource-based industries have great untapped .Unregulated growth is leading to sub-divisions whose potential for developing secondary products and costs exceed tax revenues and to unsightly strip malls. markets. Slow educational attainment is limiting industrial de- Good accessibility is provided by Interstate 95. velopment and expansion and individual opportunity. The University of South Carolina-Salkehatchie is an .Community divisions - county versus city, along with unrecognized educational and economic resource. racial and income cleavages - might hold the area The county school administration is seeking new po- back. tential for upgrading area schools. .Often the community's expectations are too low - they The earlier LEAP planning process provided a strong accept being "second best.' and clear community vision within which to work. *Earlier difficulties in progressing on the Highway 17 Leadership Colleton is cultivating new leaders who expansion show the kinds of divisions that can plague are looking for new opportunities to make creative the region. things happen. -The area's limited local financial resources constrain Walterboro is an attractive small southern town and adequate investments in the future. sub-regional center. Wood ducks and other waterfowl in the Atlantic Flyway find critical habitat in the basin's wetlands. Photo courtesy of Sc Department of Natural resources. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? e wish to constructively and creatively shape the future rather than leave it to chance. Furthermore, White-tailed deer are an important game animal on both while recognizing that the world is rapidly changing and public and private lands. Photo that we live in turbulent times, we wish to better position courtesy of SC Department of our community in the global market- Natural Resources. place, without harming our natural W and cultural heritage or breaking with the values and ideals that we cherish. Earlier in this report, we have wrestled with questions such as: What are we? From where have we come? What is happening to us? What do we want to be? Where can we go? Now, we wish to shift gears and fo- cus on the key questions: Where should we go? What is our game plan? Strategic Priorities Based on the analysis of the local niNl@ -A@ 4% xr economy and the changes in the glo- N k, 414 bal and regional economy affecting the ACE Basin and Colleton County, R sk, is necessary that the area's leadership tackle three strategic priorities. Strategy One: Create a framework Strategy Two: Enhance the awareness, understanding for responsible growth A desired future does not just and appreciation of the ACE Basin Compared to many happen: it must be made. Undertaking a comprehen- other places of great beauty, the ACE Basin is rela- sive land use planning process and enacting appro- tively unknown. But by raising its profile as a tourism priate ordinances are the best ways to help a commu- destination, a quality living environment, and an area nity to be what it wants to be and to mesh more effec- with rich cultural traditions, its tourism potential could tively its conservation and development goals. By be increased. However, when it comes to the ACE doing so, it can act on its values and heritage, pre- Basin, strictly speaking, and not just the larger region, serve what it cares most about and manage its growth these tourism development efforts must also be done in a more orderly and proactive manner. Likewise, it in a fashion which does not harm its beauty and its can help to ensure that its most important economic environmental systems. The first steps in puttin the assets are not sacrificed thoughtlessly through allow- -9 ing imprudent land uses. Furthermore, by not making Basin on the map are: increasing its visibility through these mistakes and setting land use priorities more developing environmental and cultural education pro- deliberately and democratically, an area's leadership grams that are offered to residents and outsiders, cre- avoids having its future made "behind its back" by a ating a logo that is on all visitor-oriented materials, plethora of small, but significant, decisions. Wise plan- making critical investments in destination sites like a ning can lead to the sort of smarter growth, that gen- visitor/ interpretive center on Highway 17 and under- erates greater benefits over the long term. taking a concerted marketing@ effort to acquaint tour- ists with the charm of the region, its accessibility and 17 The Old Jail, constructed in 1855-1856, now houses the Colleton County Museum, a valuable community asset. Photo by Ron Anton Rocz. "Y X . <mv . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 'A 01 AV its closeness to other attractions. Quality environ- Action Agenda mental education in the schools, at the university and at public facilities is needed to ensure that the environmental integrity of the area is maintained. The Local Task Groups Strategy Three: Promote environmentally compatible The strategies listed above are very broad and can en- business development Without attracting new firms, compass a wide variety of activities. Creating a frame- fostering new enterprise development and expand- work for responsible growth, enhancing the awareness, ing existing businesses, the area cannot generate the understanding and appreciation of the ACE Basin and jobs and prosperity that its residents need. But the promoting environmentally compatible businesses - citizens of Colleton County and the ACE Basin want each are significant tasks, entailing the mounting of ini- to go beyond the typical development agenda of most tiatives in a variety of areas. communities. We intend for our initiatives to pass two hurdles - the tests of the marketplace and the To identify specific, practical steps the community could need to protect the Basin's environmental assets. This take in pursuing each strategy, the community formed requires exploring new strategies to make its tradi- four task groups. The task groups covered the following tional natural resource-based industries in agriculture, topics: timber, seafood-and local crafts develop higher value- added products and operate in a more sustainable Colleton County Land Use Planning Task Group fashion. it means that those who serve today's na- (Chair: Donald Lyons, Vice-Chair: I.N. Rizer) The Task ture tourists practice what they preach and adhere to Group believes that land use planning can help resi- the highest standards of environmental stewardship dents achieve their economic development, quality of and quality assurance. It entails that all businesses in life and conservation goals for Colleton County into the region avail themselves of the latest ways that the next century. The Task Group has asked the they can cut costs and raise profits by becoming more Colleton Area Joint Planning Advisory Commission to energy efficient, preventing pollution and cutting appoint it as a subcommittee and to request that the waste. Indeed, if properly packaged as a develop- County Council endorse the proposed process to de- ment strategy and not just as a conservation initia- velop a land use plan for the County. tive, the environmental and the ACE Basin angles can enhance other traditional development activities, such Value Added Products Task Group (Chair: Mike Dav- as marketing sites and the area, attracting infrastruc- enport, Vice-Chair: Sandy Watkins) This Task Group ture monies and creating new small business devel- sought to create a process that leads to strategies and opment services. 18 Off er Island is a vital 5" component of the -IlN @A 41, National Estuarine I r&P _4 Research Reserve. Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy. -VA, W, W Airs, !"Y "@gs dr k A WAM7, programs which will assist residents to create new, or Task Group was motivated by an effort to answer the strengthen existing businesses, by adding value to following question: "How can we identify, develop, and products they market through association with the ACE promote sustainable economic opportunities in the Basin. Initially, the effort will focus on marine fishing, ACE Basin region, while conserving its natural and agriculture and forestry. Later, crafts and other prod- cultural values?' Its solution lies with creating a high ucts might be considered. The Task Group believed quality, strategic approach to promoting nature and that the area will derive much more benefit from its heritage-based tourism in the area. For instance, a natural resource assets if more value was added proactive effort will target business development ef- through developing new products, identifying new forts differently in various parts of the region. For markets and exploring trademarking strategies for ACE example, in the Basin's sensitive natural resource ar- Basin products that meet a particular quality standard. eas, there would be limited infrastructure development, Although the Task Group looked at a number of prom- stringent design standards and maximum public use ising product ideas, it recommends that more techni- control. But, adjacent to the Basin, there may be mod- cal feasibility studies be undertaken that would con- erate development with sensitivity to the Basin's pres- duct an inventory of resources, both in terms of raw ence and values. In the larger area of influence, there materials and current sectors of involvement of local could be more and larger developments and the tie businesses; and provide a market analysis of each to the Basin would be optional; but development sector to assess environmental compatibility, market would be still guided by the land use plan and zoning size, market growth trends, larger forces that will af- ordinances. Such a strategic approach to developing fect the market (e.g., technology, leg 'islation, regula- new tourism products and making necessary infra- tion, etc.), and competition. Next, it called for the cre- structure investments is the best method of ensuring ation of a technical assistance system for helping en- that conservation and development work hand-in- trepreneurs successfully launch these new product hand. ideas. Lastly, it proposed additional research on trade- marking and other techniques for developing more Educational Attainment Task Group (Chair: Joseph regional visibility for area products and services. Hamilton, Vice-Chair: Diane Jones) The Task Group looked at educational issues from a variety of angles Nature- and Heritage-Based Tourism Task Group and proposed that it work with local education and (Chair: Charlie Sweat, Vice-Chair: Denise Simmons) This citizen leaders to form an ongoing task group which 19 The National Estuarine Research Reserve offers valuable learning experiencesforyoung people. Photo courtesy of SC Department of S?A@ Natural Resources. D - ge rg@ MV, -O-Z would collaborate with local schools to develop cur- Each task group generated a number of useful ideas (in ricula and programs which educate local students on fact, many more than could be undertaken over the next the history, culture and natural environment of several years). Working from the best or most promis- Colleton County and the ACE Basin, and partner with ing ideas, the task groups generated more specific work the University of South Carolina at Salkehatchie to plans, in some cases with assistance from CFED. The develop accredited courses in coastal resources and project steering committee and task group chairs have economic development planning. selected the items that they deemed the highest priori- ties and that should be implemented in the short term. Indeed, the Group sees educational action as critical Within each strategic area, the items are listed in order for the fortunes of Colleton and the region for two of their priority, with the first options having the greatest big reasons. First, education reform and workforce importance. development policies have vaulted to the forefront of America's economic agenda as we come to recog@ Based on the work of the task groups, these specific ac- nize that the ability of our nation to compete success- tion ideas have been incorporated into an overall work fully in world markets will depend heavily on the skills plan, or action agenda, for environmentally compatible and availability of our workers. Given the high level economic development. They are summarized in the fol- of experimentation underway in every community in lowing table. the U.S., Colleton County will be left behind if it does not act. However, the Task Group also thought that this was a very large agenda, beyond its ability to affect. Furthermore, with recent ongoing efforts by Leadership Colleton and its alumni to get in- volved in school issues, that there was no need for an additional ini- tia6e at this time. Second, protect- ing and marketing the ACE Basin, en- couraging citizen support of environ- mentally compatible development and promoting new 'green' business and career development all depend on leaming the facts about the work- ings and specialness of coastal eco- systems like the ACE Basin. Enhanc- ing such awareness will contribute mightily to achieving these goals. High quality recreationalfishing opportunities arefound throughout the Basin. Photo courtesy of SC Department of Natural Resources. 20 0 LIST OF STRATEGIES Strategy one; create a framework for responsible growth � Develop a comprehensive land use plan and a supportive ordinance � Develop an integrated development, tourism, and resource management plan STRATEGY TWO; ENHANCE THE AWARENESS UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECTIATION OF THE ACE BASIN � Develop a visitor/interprefive center in the ACE Basin near US Highway 17. � Support the Scenic Parkway Concept Plan and designation effort � Develop a consistent ACE Basin graphic identity that would apply to all brochures, maps and other visitor-related materials � Support a-rails-to-trails project � Develop primary and secondary environmental and heritage education programs . Develop college courses on coastal resources planning and economic development � Create educational and awareness programs and materials designed to educate and orient people living in the region -about its natural and cultural assets and their value to the region when developed In a sustainable fashion Strategy three; Promote enviromentally comparible business development . Create a business development planning process and Initial business feasibility plans for natural resource-based products . Create and implement branding and trademarking of area products Provide assistance to local businesses In creating business plans and identifying necessary re- sources to implement those plans Develop a full-scale marketing plan for natural and cultural resource-based tourism in the region Build on existing rural tourism efforts and assets Create management standards for visitor safety and resource impacts for tourism in the ACE Basin Mobilize business development resources to benefit Colleton County Establish educational programs for businesses operating in the region on how to operate In an''' environmentally conscious manner with respect to waste management, wildlife impact and other resource considerations 21 Strategy One: Create a Framework for Responsible Growth Develop a comprehensive land use plan and a sup- portive ordinance for Colleton County The Task Group explored the desirability of creating a land use plan for the area and concluded that one was needed for the following reasons. Just like any business, com- munities need to plan for their future so that they can make intelligent decisions about the use of scarce re- sources and improve their chances of achieving eco- nomic prosperity. For instance, land use planning pre- pares for proper growth. It provides a way for the community to express its aspirations for the future. It promotes sound stewardship of community assets. It identifies priorities for public investment. It manages the fiscal impact of development. It safeguards owner investment against the impact of "bad neighbor' de- 5 7_1 velopment. It avoids the attraction of unwanted ac tivitles rejected by other counties with tighter plan- ning controls. It builds consensus on critical issues, while providing a formal means of resolving disputes between the community and the individual and be tween development and conservation priorities. The For area students, the Basin is Task Group also chose to undertake a participatory an important community resource. Photo courtesy of process for developing such a plan, including com- SC Department of Natural munity forums, visioning and goal setting sessions and Resources. public comment hearings. Facilitation and coordina- tion of the process will be accomplished by CFED and the Lowcountry Council of Governments. They will adhere to all required state and local laws, working closely with both the Joint Planning Commission and the Colleton County Council. The plan and zoning ordinance will be finalized by June 1997 ProposedAction Agenda Lead - Colleton Land Use Planning Task Group Support - Colleton-Walterboro Joint Planning Commission Based on the initial recommendations of the four task - Colleton County Council groups and further deliberations within the Steering Com- - Colleton County Resource and mittee and with the broader community, we have devel- Development Board oped the following action agenda. Many of the task groups also suggested actions that the other groups pro- Develop an integrated development tourism and re- posed. For instance, the nature- and heritage-based source management plan Such a plan might focus group called for appropriate land use planning and busi- on making a complete inventory of all infrastructure, ness development in natural resource-based sectors. natural and cultural resources and attractions related to sustainable tourism in the region, using GIS and indeed, there are powerful synergies between the work other technologies where appropriate. It should con- of each of these task groups and success on one project vene a group of key stakeholders (representatives from is likely to have positive benefits on other initiatives. They local communities, businesses, resource management are organized under their most relevant strategic prior- entities and landowners) to participate in the planning ity. (Greater detail on many of these options is available process. It should focus especially on Highway 17 and in other documents researched and written within this developing a starting point for exploring the ACE Ba.- planning process.) 22 sin. This recommendation directly links with the land site. The center also would serve as a focal point for use planning efforts, whose interim research products casual visitation, as well as a source of educational actually answer these questions and will be taking ad- and informational materials and programs. It could vantage of advanced planning, mapping, and research serve as the control point for organizing visitation to technologies. So, as its research and data products other, more remote and sensitive parts of the Basin. are completed, a tourism planning and marketing The center also might offer a reservation and trans- group could use these resources to craft additional portation service, provide administrative offices for development actions. ACE-related education and conservation activities, of- fer a range of experiences to different types of tour- Lead - Colleton Interpretive Center Committee ists, have "green' lodging (e.g., low-impact, low den- Support - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and sity eco-cabins), etc. Satellite visitor facilities might be Tourism organized to offer other low-impact experiences at the - ACE Basin Task Force National Wildlife Refuge headquarters on Grove Plan- - Westvaco Corporation tation, Donnelley and Bear Island Wildlife Manage- - Colleton Land Use Planning Group ment Areas, National Estuarine Research Reserve field - Nature and Heritage-Based Tourism Task station at Bennett's Point, Edisto Beach State Park, and Group Hunting Island State Park. Design and interpretation would be all coordinated between these sites. Tack- ling such a large concept would entail working with Strategy Two: Enhance the all major stakeholders, securing land for the central site, addressing the design issues of all the facilities, Awareness, Understanding and attracting funding, tapping private investors, conduct- ing further market research, developing exhibits and Appreciation of the ACE Basin tie-in education programs, looking closely at the car- rying capacity of the sites (how much tourism impact Develop a visitor/interpretive center in the ACE Ba- can they take) and using management tools like user sin near Highway 17 A plan for siting this center and fees, visitor permits, timing restrictions, signage, and defining its services needs to be crafted, which would limiting conveniences and services in some areas to look in detail at a variety of issues, such as accessibil- efficiently manage the visitation impacts. ity, an ability to withstand high impact, its location Lead - Colleton Interpretive Center Committee near a representative natural resource (e.g. a marsh), Support - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and it serving as a distribution site for advertising area at- Tourism tractions and the visual appeal of the building and ACE Basin Task Force tv X @J % 14 Z The Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail is a valuable asset in building rural tourism efforts. Photo courtesy of Lowcountry and Resort Islands Tourism Commission. 23 - Westvaco Corporation Support a rails-to-tralls project The Lowcountry Coun- - S.C. Department of Transportation cil of Governments and the Colleton County Council - Colleton Land Use Planning Task Group have worked together on submitting a proposal for a federal grant. This proposed project would entail the Support the Scenic Parkway Concept Plan, devel- creation of a bicycle and footpath along an old rail- oped by Robert E. Marvin and Associates for US High- way line between Walterboro and Green Pond. If con- way 17 Task Group members believe that this plan structed, it would be a new tourism asset for the re- would greatly enhance eco-tourism efforts in this sen- gion to market, as well as connect tourism opportuni- sitive region by designating an appropriate portion ties in the town more closely with options in the ACE of highway the "ACE Basin Scenic Parkway.' This Basin. would help to maintain the area's natural beauty and its healthy environment while still creating a tourism Lead - Lowcountry Council of Governments asset that can be marketed to the larger traveling Support - Colleton County Council public. A detailed plan for developing this scenic high- - Colleton County Resource and Development way has been already written by Robert Marvin and Board Associates, the nationally-known landscape architec- - Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce ture firm, which is based in Walterboro. Without en- - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and dorsing every specific recommendation, we believe Tourism that the plan is an excellent starting point for larger community-wide discussions and should be studied Develop primary and secondary environmental and closely by the comprehensive land use planning ef- heritage education programs The ACE Basin and the fort that is currently underway. The final version of surrounding region are rich in both cultural and envi- the scenic highway plan must allow for efficient move- ronmental resources, which are presently unrecog- ment of traffic, good highway safety, environmental nized and underutilized by the education community. conservation, and aesthetic preservation and design. Significant opportunities exist to develop new public Subject to requirements by state and federal law, the education programs in area schools and universities Colleton County Council, the South Carolina Depart- which would better acquaint local students and teach- ment of Highways and Public Transportation and our ers with the area's important ecological, cultural and elected legislative representatives should be asked to historicassets. A working group involving the Colleton enact provisions to establish the ACE Basin Scenic County School District, the University of South Caro- Parkway. lina-Salkehatchie campus, the South Carolina Depart- ment of Natural Resources, the National Estuarine Lead - Colleton Interpretive Center Committee Research Reserve Program and The Nature Conser- Support - Colleton County Council vancy has been created to fundraise, to develop a - Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce series of program offerings and to test them during - Colleton County Resource and Development the next year. It is expected that, when successful, Board these educational and field trip offerings will help to - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and create a deeper understanding of the region's natural Tourism and cultural heritage and enhance educational options - ACE Basin Task Force for K-12 and college students. - Westvaco Corporation - S.C. Department of Transportation Lead - S.C. Department of Natural Resources - Colleton Land Use Planning Task Group Support - University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie - Colleton County School District Develop a consistent ACE Basin graphic identity that - The Nature Conservancy would apply to all brochures, maps and other visi- - Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce tor-oriented materials This would help to establish Education Committee a link between all tourism options and marketing ef- - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service forts, as well as establish a unique ACE signature. It should be an "early bird' action. Develop college courses on coastal resources plan- ning and economic development Increasingly, the Lead - Value Added Products Task Group development and conservation communities and pro- Support - ACE Basin Task Force fessions feel the need to learn each other's business - Lowcountry Resort Islands and Tourism and to discover new ways that "win-win' solutions to Commission development and environmental conflicts can be - Nature and Heritage-Based Tourism Task found. The university could offer new courses in each Group of these fields and develop a curriculum that synthe- 24 sizes a new framework for implementing environmen- tally compatible development planning and initiatives. Strategy Three: Promote Lead - University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie Environmentally-Compatible Support S.C. Department of Natural Resources Business Development Colleton County School District The Nature Conservancy Create a business development planning process and Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce initial business feasibility plans for natural resource- Education Committee based products This would be a multi-step process, Create educational and awareness programs and entailing an inventory of current involvement of area materials designed to educate and orient people liv- businesses in natural resource-based activities, an ex- ing in the region about its natural and cultural as- amination of the market potential and environmen- sets and their value to the region when developed tal effects of each major sector, and the evaluation of in a sustainable fashion Program delivery might oc- these results relative to local resource capability. The cur through community workshops, schools, field trips, local task group has already done some preliminary and eco-research internships and volunteer efforts. work in this area by looking at ideas like creating or (See environmental education options above for fur- attracting a processing plant to facilitate packaging ther details) and shipping of all products of the ocean and rivers, developing and marketing indigenous products (e.g., Lead - S.C. Department of Natural Resources joggling boards, rice field trunk models and sweet grass Support - University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie baskets), assisting existing farms that already own their - Colleton County School District own packaging operations to better market their prod- - The Nature Conservancy ucts, helping expand the supply and demand for blue - Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce- crabs and South Carolina oysters, developing aquac- Education Committee ulture and mariculture products, creating a research - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service kitchen and incubator for new food products and ex- panding the fuel market for wood chips. Next, it en- tails developing an analytical process that can be used to assist local firms in evaluating the options for get- ting involved in attractive business sectors and new product lines. The process would help them to look Nature trails are available on Donnelley Wildlft Management Area as well as otherpublic access areas. Photo courtesy of Sc Department of Natural Resources. 25 0 at and evaluate; the enviromental implications in specific business ventures (each must be, at attractiveness of the products in terms of con relationships of the product to the image of the ACE Basin; and the ability of local businesses to produce necessary quantities with acceptable quality. Lead - Colleton County Resource and Development Board Support- Value Added Products task group -The Nature Conservancy C reate and implement branding and trade- list should be the exploration of branding and trademarking of products. High on the priority list should be the exploration of branding and trademarking of products. Doing this well will be very difficult, but it could be a valuable tool in marketing products and identifying them, as well as the ACE Basin, as unique and of high quality. Lead-Colleton County resouce and Development Board Support -Value Added Products Task Group ,-The Nature Conservancy Provide assistance to local businesses in creat- ing business plans and identifying necessary re- sources to implement those plans There are a variety of resources within the region, the state and the nation which can be tapped for providing Wading birds, such as the great egret are commonly observed in high quality technical assistance to promising firms wetlands throughout the Basin. and venture ideas. This also should include creating Photo by Cherie Pittillo. management procedures for businesses to use to mea- sure performance against plan and provide for a con- Lead - Colleton County Resource and Development tinuing relationship between the business and advi- Board sor. By doing so, the program would build-in stron- Support -Value Added Products Task Group ger quality control and help these entrepreneurs deal - Nature- and Heritage-Based Tourism Task with the inevitable problems facing all startup, young Group and small firms. - The Nature Conservancy - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Lead - Colleton County Resource and Development Tourism Board Support -Value Added Products Task Group Build on existing rural tourisT efforts and assets -The Nature Conservancy Colleton County and the ACE Basin are already in the forefront of South Carolina's rural, heritage and na- ture tourism efforts. Its Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Develop a full-scale marketing plan for natural and Commission was recently honored for its outstanding cultural resource-based tourism in the region As the rural tourism program. They have created the state's first projects are implem ented, the area will have much first canoe and kayak trail, initiated an annual Edisto more to promote. A well-developed marketing plan Riverfest and offer nearly two dozen guided canoe to better position the area for competing for the tour- trips per year for the general public. The area holds a ist dollar will then be needed. yearly Rice Festival and the ACE Basin Triathion. An Artisans Center has been built and is putting the area 26 on the map regarding crafts. Furthermore, many of its leaders are actively working with the state's South Lead - Nature and Heritage-Based Tourism Task Group Carolina Heritage Corridor project. Support - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism There are a number of ways that the region and - Westvaco Corporation Colleton County could build on its current accomplish- - Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce ments and on-going programs. For instance, its tour- ism leadership should consider developing further the Create management standards of visitor safety and Edisto River and Kayak trail. With help with other resource impacts for tourism in the ACE Basin The state and regional partners, it could create a multifac- South Carolina Nature-Based Tourism Association has eted recreational river corridor by developing addi- already developed guidelines for operating tourism tional recreational opportunities along the river, while activities and businesses in a manner that will not still protecting the natural and scenic quality of the degrade an area's natural and cultural resources. This Edisto River. Earlier analysis by the state government work needs to be built on and applied more specifi- has demonstrated that the Edisto possesses high qual- cally to the ACE Basin region so that the tourism in- ity inland fisheries, natural features, flatwater boat- dustry adheres voluntarily to the highest standards of ing, wildlife habitat, water quality, backcountry boat- ethics, visitor safety, stewardship and quality assur- ing, and recreational fishing. Doing this right requires ance in educational and interpretation programs. convening an active community and regional plan- ning group that would develop ideas for creating ad- Lead - South Carolina Nature Based Tourism ditional campsites, developing a series of inns situ- Association- ated near some parts of the river, a canoe livery, fur- Support - S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and ther landings and so on. For this sort of large effort, Tourism the community would need to work closely with South - ACE Basin Task Force Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tour- - Nature and Heritage-Based Tourism Task ism (PRT) and other relevant agencies and additional Group monies would need to be raised to cover technical planning costs and the required infrastructure improve- Mobilize business development resources to benefit ments. Such an effort could put Colleton in a leader- Colleton County The Colleton County Resource and ship position in terms of developing new eco-tourism activities within the Heritage Corridor initiative. 6 Freshwater wetlands provide vital wildlife habitat and support t naturalplan communities. Photo courtesy of SC 0 1% Q- Department of 2, Natural Resources. 27 Development Board and a variety of other organiza- lyst for these types of reflections, for additional action tions are active on a number of development fronts, planning, and for new fund-raising activities by area covering topics such as downtown revitalization in development and civic improvement groups. In fact, Walterboro, business recruitment, quality of life im- other communities have found that an action plan provements, tourism and crafts development. Each like this makes an effective statement to funders that of these arenas provides scope for new ways of think- this area "means business' - that it is well organized, ing and marketing and new project development in possesses a good working consensus, thoughtfully the light of this planning process. Indeed, develop- takes action, and has a business plan that sets devel- ment professionals across the U.S. are focusing more opment priorities for the future. energies on areas of 'synergy" between previously separated development efforts, like tourism, business Lead - Colleton County Resource and retention and expansion, industrial attraction, tour- Development Board ism development, downtown development, and so support - Walterboro-Colleton County Chamber forth. Briefings of these groups about the report of Commerce should be held. The managers of ongoing develop- ment programs should think about how their activi- Establish educational programs for businesses oper- ties could benefit from the success of this plan, how ating In the region on how to operate in an environ- they could be supportive of its agenda, and what ad- mentally conscious manner with respect to waste ditional complementary efforts they could undertake. management, wildlife Impact, and other resource considerations For example, the state of North For instance, the area might consider cross-training Carolina's Office of Waste Reduction provides assis- business recruitment, tourism marketing, and hospi- tance along these lines. It often targets its services on tality-based businesses in marketing the area to pro- a countywide basis, offering training and technical spective business, residents, and tourists. Likewise, assistance in pollution prevention in local manufac- the business recruitment effort should consider how turing firms, waste reduction for city governments, it might target companies and market the area differ- locates markets for recyclable materials and helps ently in the light of this larger plan. Similarly, new companies find and utilize recycled materials. A simi- companies often need help in a variety of areas, rang- lar partnership could be structured with relevant South ing from putting together a sound business plan to Carolina agencies and experts at Clemson University marketing, from tax and permit issues to accessing and at the South Carolina Department of Health and appropriate financing. How might support systems for Environmental Control (DHEC). starting and growing new companies be expanded? How might additional attention be focused on self- Lead - Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce employment and minority enterprise development? Support - University of South Carolina - Salkehatchie What more is needed to keep and expand existing - Clemson University firms? What additional investments in business de- - S.C. Department of Natural Resources velopment infrastructure - such as industrial parks, - South Carolina Department of Health and small business incubators, a revolving loan fund, etc. Environmental Control - might be required to realize the full potential of - Colleton County Resource and Development this strategy document? The report could be a cata- Board 28 CONCLUSION rogress on this ambitious agenda will not viding an adequate and up-to-date infrastructure, pre- happen overnight. But to succeed, we need to get going serving an area's environmental assets, and improving today on those init a community's quality of life, economic development is iatives that need to be implemented no longer the sole domain of the local ICIhamber of Com- first, as well as show early results on some of our longer- range goals. merce or county government or an industrial recruiter. These organizations have neither the time nor the re- If we are to accomplish our objectives of winning in the sources to address the range of needs and opportunities marketplace and also preserving our area's quality of in a rural community. Rather, economic development is life, we need to work together. This plan is not the agenda everybody's business, from the local minister, banker, forester and school of one segment of the principal to the teacher, community - it is and county extension must be our game agent, farmer and small plan. businessperson. Each Compatible devel p- can play a role in cre- ating the foundations ment, furthermore, for a better economic happens when real future in the ACE Basin partnerships are cre- and in Colleton County. ated and a community mobilizes more of its & Is WF. problem-solving and We need your help. 1E F Ry - creative potential. In Our agenda for pro- moting compatible eco- an era when local A"Il nomic development re- prosperity requires ex- quires building a new panding the supply of 0 A partnership for eco- availability of capital / 11 @ for industry, develop- JAY nomic opportunity and T7, A for quality of life. ing a highly-skilled and a 0 flexible workforce, pro- Join us. M Lie A -%FAT 00 @Y,@ W, WE 27rff a -r-, ATY"Y TWO -I TV V 0 g Yro, i _7* The bald eagle is a common fall and winter resident. Photo courtesy of The Nature Conservancy. 29 PARTICIPANTS The following is a list of participants in the ACE Basin Economic Forum's Strategic Plan. COMMUNITY RETREAT - Diane Jones Diane Jones (Vice-Chair) JUNE 1995 Jim Killian Margaret Barnes Ted Kinard* Gordon Chipukites Katherine Doak Obafemi Akintunde Ann Kirkley Robert L. Hodges Bob Bacon Charles Lane Becky Lee-Grigg Billy (Tadpole) Baldwin, Jr. Jane Lareau Nancy R. Lockhart Billie Baldwin, Sr. Rebecca Lee-Grigg Whit McMillan Lee Baldwin Jon Liles Ray Summers Marion Barnes Nancy Lockhart Carol Weeks Barry Beasley Greg Low* Art Williams Chris Bickley* Donald Lyons Donny Browning Robert Marvin Gene Butler* David Maybank, III Land-use Planning Ann Carmichael John McDermott Ron Carter Mike McKenzie Donald Lyons (Chair) Gordon (Chip) Chipukites Tony Merck I.N. Rizer (Vice-Chair) Fred Covert Jeff Powers Marion Barnes Ronnie Crosby Michael Prevost* Chris Bickley Wait Dagley Budd Price Floyd Bucker Danny Danndridge Lee Pye Mary Ann Burtt Mike Davenport Susan Reid Samuel Givens Joan Davis Chris Rigby John Gooding Katherine Doak I.N. Rizer Charles Griffith Michele Ford Marion Sams Calvert Huffines Robert Fowlkes Ed Sharp Marvin Jones Lynnette Fryar Denise Simmons Jon Liles Bruce Funderburke Mendel Smith Robert Marvin Megan Gallagher Phillip Smith Ed Sharp Linda Gaskins Tay Smith John Stuart Alfred Givens Pete Stuckey Jacob Tingman Samuel Givens Charlie Sweat Buzz Glenn Paul Terni John Gooding Sally Tuten Nature-andHerltage-based Charles Griffith* Karey Waldrop Tourism Jeff Grigg Sandy Ward Joe Hamilton Sandy Watkins* Ch .arlie Sweat (Chair) Joseph Hamilton Carol Weeks Denise Simmons (Vice-Chair) Theron Hamilton Jim Wescott Obaferni Akintunde Karen Hewitt* Art Williams Bob Bacon Lila Anna Hiers Donny Browning Bert Hines *Steering Committee Member Gene Butler Kenneth Hodges Joan Davis Reverend Robert Hodges Ryan Easterling Shirley Holloman TASK GROUPS Michelle Ford Lawton Huggins Charles Griffith Lynn Huggins Education Jeff Grigg Doc Huributt Joe Hamilton Ray Jacobs Joseph Hamilton (Chair) Theron Hamilton Coy Johnston 30 Dean Harrigal Michael Crosby COMMUNITY RETREAT- Lila Anna Hiers; Brian Dabson April 1996 Tony Merck Boyd Dodd Budd Price Allen Driggers Phillip Smith J. Forest Eley Bob Bacon John Tibbetts Kardell Ferguson, Sr. Marion Barnes Sally Tuten Buddy Fields Chris Bickley Carol Weeks Barnwell Fishbume Phillipe Boucher Jim Wescott Lynette Fryar Mary Ann Burtt Bruce Funderburke Gene Butler Vladimir Gavrilovic Dean Carson Samuel Givens Ron Carter John Gooding Nellie Cloninger Value-added Products Terry Grayson Liz Crane Charles Griffith Katherine Doak Herman Guess Buddy Fields Mike Davenport (Chair) Joseph Hamilton Robert Folk Sandy Watkins (Vice-Chair) Buccie Harley Lynette Fryer Bill Anderson Charlotte Heaton Bruce Funderburk Sara Borbrow Gary Hermann Linda Gaskins Dean Carson Karen Hewitt Charles Griffith Ronnie Crosby Lisa Hofbauer Tim Hahn Parker Dempsey Marvin Jones Joe Hamilton Robert Folk Ted Kinard Joseph Hamilton Lawton Huggins Annie Mae Kinsey Dean Harrigal Ted Kinard Matthew Kizer Karen Hewitt Marion Laney Norris Laffitte Bert Hines Mike McKenzie Jon P. Liles Reverend Kenneth Hodges Jerry Norris Greg Low Lisa Hofbauer Michael Prevost Donald Lyons Boris Hurlbutt Susan Reed Donell Manigo Deryl Jevons Micky Scott Robert E. Marvin Coy Johnston Dave Smith Brian Matthews Marvin Jones Phillip Smith Dan Morgan Ted Kinard Al Stokes Ned Oswald Ann Kirkley Mike Upchurch Mike Padgett Marian Laney Sam Pinckney Donald Lyons Wendell Polk Robert Marvin Michael Prevost David Maybank, III COMMUNITY LAND-USE I.N. Rizer Mike McKenzie PLANNING MEETING - Marion Rizer Jim Outlaw JANUARY 1996 Ruth Saunders Michael Prevost Lawrence A. Savage Budd Price Ed Sharp Sharon Richardson P. W. Ackerman, SL Bob Smith Denise Simmons W.S. (Billie) Baldwin, SL Tay Smith Skip Starkey Marion Barnes A.L. Smoak, Jr. Charlie Sweat Howell Beach Mark Steedley Rick Tobin Belle Behling Deborah B. Stone Sandy Watkins Tommy Bennett Tracy Swagler Carol Weeks Chris Bickley Charlie Sweat Janis Blocker E.H. Billy Thomas Jerry Breland Andy Ulmer Eric Budds Sandy Ward Gene Butler Duncan Warren Jimmy Cook Leroy Womble, Jr. Dick Covington 31 ISLANDTON WALI'ERBORO P 4i -04 JACK ONBORO ki - -.5 le. SH P I YEMASS -E 4. 2. 3. LOBECO v-j 5. 4w River EDISTO BEACH S.P. DISTO 0 L E G E N D ST. HELENA BEACH SOUNL BEAUFOR CONSERVATION EASEMENT fe NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (N.W.R.) N.W.R. - PROPOSED NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH HUNTING RESERVE - (N.E.R.R.) N ISLAND S.P. N.E.R.R. - PROPOSED WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (W.M.A.) 0 5 20 WESTVACO COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Miles SOUTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS S @.wmm@ ACE BASIN BOUNDARY 1. EDISTO NATURE TRAIL T11 11E ACE BASIN COLU BIA 2. DONNELLEY W.M.A. PREPARED FOR THE ACE BASIN EcoNomic FORUM 3. BEAR ISLAND W.M.A. PREPARED BY PARADIGM DESIGN CHARLESTON 4. ACE BASIN N.W.R. HEADQUARTERS JULY 1996 SAVANNAH 5. N.E.R.R. FIELD STATION LOCATION MAP 3 6668 14108 7629 Printed on recyyad paper.