Columbia, S.C. - Six outstanding South Carolina individuals and organizations were honored on Monday at the Department of Commerce’s Rural Summit held in North Charleston this week. The awards were presented at the South Carolina Rural Summit, an annual event at which rural community leaders, economic developers, state officials, and specialists from across the world share ideas, experiences, and practical knowledge to improve rural South Carolina.
“I want to thank all the award winners for their efforts in growing the economies of rural South Carolina," said Gov. Mark Sanford. “Our administration is committed to complimenting those efforts by continuing to work to improve the state’s soil conditions for business and economic growth.”
While many educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders throughout the state work hard to build stronger, more prosperous communities, the award recipients have made particularly significant contributions to the economic development of South Carolina’s rural communities.
“These award winners are making a real difference in their communities. Their work is evidence that positive changes begin with local involvement. Whether it’s improving the local economy or furthering training opportunities for a local workforce, the efforts of one individual or organization can go a long way to strengthen rural South Carolina,” said Joe Taylor, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce.
Rural Leadership Award – The Honorable Elaine Harris, Mayor of the Town of Pacolet
The Rural Leadership Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated effective leadership skills and addressed issues of both short and long-term significance to community growth. Noted for being a “spark plug” in the Town of Pacolet, Harris was honored for her efforts in bringing the town council and citizens together to work for a revitalized community. Harris has spearheaded charrette and master planning processes, worked to consolidate the Towns of Pacolet and Pacolet Mills, and has improved the quality of life in Pacolet through her participation in programs like the S.C. Design Arts Partnership’s Mayor’s Institute and Clemson University’s Pilgrimage of Place pilot economic development program.
Rural Education Award – Denmark-Olar Teen Life Center
The Rural Education Award recognizes an individual or organization who has improved South Carolina’s rural education system either through volunteer efforts or through daily commitments. The Denmark-Olar Teen Life Center in Bamberg County is home to one of the nation’s most intensive and long-running programs to prevent teen pregnancy. It is also one of the most successful in the entire U.S. Michelle Nimmons, Director of the Center, and her staff provide hours of sex-education classes and other forms of outreach on a daily basis for the community. Between 1982 when the center opened and 2004, the county’s estimated pregnancy rate has fallen by nearly two-thirds among girls age 15-19.
Director’s Award for Distinguished Service – Dr. Kay Raffield, Central Carolina Technical College
The Director’s Award for Distinguished Service honors an individual who has shown extraordinary leadership or initiative in improving the quality of life in rural South Carolina. During her time at Central Carolina Technical College (CCTC), Raffield has overseen tremendous growth on the Sumter campus. Raffield worked to open a new CCTC campus for the City of Bishopville. The campus serves those citizens of Lee County that have difficulty commuting to Sumter. Raffield created a partnership between the technical college, the Department of Commerce, the City of Bishopville, the Lee County Economic Development Alliance, and Lee County Council to make the project work. An old building on Main Street in downtown Bishopville became the location for the college and new county library. Since opening in January of 2006, 217 students have completed classes at the new campus.
Palmetto Partnership Award – The Cities of Bennettsville, Bishopville, and Union
The Palmetto Partnership Award recognizes models for effective teamwork that allow rural communities to function more efficiently and economically. Nominees are judged on the impact their initiatives have on the community, the importance of their innovations, and the degree to which individuals set aside personal and organizational self-interests to make the project successful. Bennettsville, Bishopville and Union were all able to put together working partnerships with counties, Chambers of Commerce, local development boards, and colleges to do multiple, large-scale projects. Collectively, they matched $5.8 million in Department of Commerce Opportunity Grant funds with $4.2 million in local funds – an unheard of match ratio in most grant programs. Collectively, over 150 building façades were restored, storefront vacancies were reduced by 53%, and 30 new businesses were created, bringing in private investments of over $4.3 million.
Rural Entrepreneur Award – Jeffrey Black
The Rural Entrepreneur Award recognizes an individual or company with 25 or more employees that has had a significant impact on a rural area’s economy or community. This year’s recipient, Jeffrey Black, has had a marked impact on the community of Manning. Black renovated an entire city block in downtown Manning with his own personal funds, and started a significant revitalization of the downtown area by moving his company called Black Sheep Promotions into the area. Shortly thereafter he opened a hair salon, day spa, antiques and gifts shop, and a Seattle’s Best Coffee, all under one roof in a historic downtown building. He has also helped launch an upscale clothing boutique in one of the buildings he had already renovated, and has started several other projects in Downtown Manning.
Rural Project Leader of the Year – Ted Campbell
The Rural Project Leader of the Year recognizes a member of the Commerce team that has provided rural South Carolina with the most opportunity to recruit jobs and investment to their communities. During 2006, Ted Campbell was directly responsible for project announcements resulting in $41 million in capital investment and the creation of 375 jobs in rural South Carolina. Campbell has been with the South Carolina Department of Commerce for over 12 years, and currently works in the agency’s Global Business Development division.
Note: Pictures of award winners are available upon request.