Funding for the project stems from a cooperative effort among federal and local entities. Primary funding is being provided under the provisions of the U.S. Department of Commerce – Economic Development Agency’s investment program for “Suddenly and Severely Impacted Areas.” Other critical funding and support has been added through the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Aiken County, and the South Carolina Power Team (an economic development alliance that includes Santee Cooper, the Central Electric Power Cooperative, twenty non-profit, customer-owned electric distribution cooperatives, and the Palmetto Economic Development Corporation.).
The majority of the Savannah River Basin study area is located within the 3rd Congressional District of South Carolina represented by J. Gresham Barrett, who was especially instrumental in facilitating the federal funding for the initiative. “This announcement is further proof that the Savannah River Basin Textile Recovery project is moving forward," said Barrett. “As U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Sampson and I discussed in October of last year, by helping our local communities clearly identify the expertise and resources available throughout the 3rd District this study allows us to continue to support our textile industry, while also looking for ways to diversify our economy so we can put our citizens back to work.”
Specific elements of the overall recovery plan and regional evaluation project include:
- An evaluation of the status of all sectors of the textile/apparel industry in the 10-county project area.
- A comprehensive strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis in the project area, including analysis of best practices, growth and declining sectors, and workforce requirements for future industry trends.
- Identification of viable development/redevelopment alternatives for the region that will result in the retention, restoration, and/or expansion of private sector jobs.
- Determination of the estimated costs of improvements to public infrastructure or other public investments to support proposed alternatives.
- An implementation and marketing strategy for proposed development/redevelopment plans that includes prioritized objectives and goals.
The project will also address issues specific to the Graniteville community through a comprehensive inventory and evaluation of the physical assets of Town and the marketable assets of the now vacant Avondale Company facilities.
As the lead consultant firm for the project tasks, Genesis Consulting Group offers expertise in a variety of integrated economic development, engineering, and other planning specialties. The 18-member firm was founded in 2006 by four highly respected professionals with a mission to “to create, revitalize, and protect communities to improve and enhance people’s lives.” Also included on the project team are key subconsultant partners McCallum Sweeney Consulting; Miley Gallo & Associates, Inc.; ACDS, LLC; and Maxim Communications Group. These firms specialize in industry siting and recruitment, economic analyses, rural-area economic development, and implementation marketing, respectively.
“The EDP is confident that the project will provide effective development guidance and tools for the Graniteville community and the region as a whole. Genesis Consulting Group was selected because of the project team’s considerable experience in economic development and its specific knowledge of the textile and manufacturing industries,” said Fred Humes, director of the EDP. “Genesis Consulting Group will coordinate with the economic development agencies, councils of government, and other community stakeholders throughout the region to build on their successful efforts and to continue the momentum for revitalizing the region,” Humes added.
According to James R. Morris, Jr., president of Genesis Consulting Group: “Our team understands the historically significant role the textile industry has played in South Carolina and the current challenges facing the industry from global outsourcing and other factors such as the tragic 2005 train derailment in Graniteville. We are pleased to have this opportunity to help rebuild and strengthen the economies within these communities with long-term, pragmatic strategies.”
The recovery plan effort is expected to be completed by the end of 2007 and will include multiple public outreach and community involvement efforts.
