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South Carolina S&T Plan Unveiled

Friday, February 4, 2000

The South Carolina Technology Alliance has released South Carolina Technology Initiative 2000, a science and technology strategic plan outlining six specific recommendations for strengthening the state’s position in a knowledge-based economy. The plan, requested by Governor Jim Hodges in a July 1999 executive order, addresses four short-term and three long-term goals outlined by Governor Hodges to increase South Carolina’s competitive position with its neighboring states, as well as improve its global posture as a technology leader.

The recommendations focus on developing the state’s infrastructure to support technology businesses and enhance the quality of the education system. The Alliance also emphasized that, while additional public financial resources would be required to implement the plan, the most important requirements are high profile leadership by the state, and coordination and cooperation among the various state agencies, research institutions and private businesses.

The six recommendations are:

  • Create the position of South Carolina Secretary of Technology, reporting directly to the Governor, with the responsibility to assist the Governor and the legislature to study, develop, enact, and assess public policy, legislation, and regulatory issues;
  • Enhance the technology infrastructure, curriculum, and training resources within South Carolina public schools;
  • Develop research and development initiatives, which will help to attract new and retain existing high tech industries;
  • Create a technology infrastructure to support high tech industries throughout the state, guide public policy, assist the development of technology industry in rural communities, assist the state government in technology initiatives, and otherwise assist in the transition to a knowledge-based economy;
  • Invest in South Carolina’s intellectual capital by creating a privately managed state technology venture capital fund; and,
  • Enhance of the workforce development infrastructure.

Several action items are identified for each recommendation.

Governor Hodges has included $8.5 million in his FY 2001 budget request to begin to implement the plan's recommendations:

  • $500,000 to staff and support the Office of the Secretary of Technology
  • $500,000 to establish a technology-focused small business venture capital fund, and,
  • $7.5 million to support research grants at the state universities and colleges.

For more information on the South Carolina Technology Initiative 2000 contact Thomas Persons, Sr., President of the South Carolina Technology Alliance, at: tep@att.net or (803)748-1323. The Alliance’s web address is

http://www.sctech.org

Geography
South Carolina