McCormick County, South Carolina
Economic Development Strategic Plan
The Challenge
McCormick County, South Carolina is rich in both natural resources and history. Immense tracks of forested public land, over 1,000 miles of lake front property, and numerous historical sites create significant economic opportunity for McCormick County. These resources, coupled with its close proximity to the rapidly growing Augusta metropolitan area, position McCormick County for eminent growth. However, a shrinking employment base and out-migration of families create grave challenges, which are lessened somewhat by a rapid in-migration of retirees. Confronted with these opportunities and challenges, McCormick County and the State of South Carolina’s Department of Commerce engaged TIP Strategies, Inc., to develop an economic development strategic plan for the county.
The Approach
TIP took an asset-based approach to this work, focusing on strategies designed to maximize McCormick’s existing advantages and potential. We began by conducting an economic assessment of the community. In addition to this quantitative analysis, our work was informed by interviews with local businesses and community leaders, as well as with developers. The findings from this phase were refined based on input from a stakeholder meeting held in January 2007. From the assessment we prepared a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats), which provided the foundation for the development of specific strategies, including target industries.
The Outcome
The resulting plan provides county officials with a five-year blueprint for growth in McCormick County. The primary goals identified in the plan are attracting new talent, diversifying the economy, and enhancing the county’s quality of place. Strategies to accomplish these goals include strengthening ties to the Augusta market; actively promoting recreation and tourism; spearheading development in the county with a blue-ribbon, mix-use land development project; and supporting revitalization and redevelopment efforts in the county. The plan also made organizational recommendations for the county to establish the necessary capacity to guide economic development. With adequate economic development resources and a plan to guide their application, the county will be well-positioned to stimulate new private investment and attract new residents.
The strategic plan was publicly presented to the citizens of McCormick County on March 27, 2007.
George Woodsby Director, Economic Development McCormick County 362 Airport Rd McCormick, SC 29835 864.852.2231 gwoodsby@mccormickcountysc.gov
