Agency Overview
Community & Rural Planning and Development
South Carolina recognizes that time is money. That is why South Carolina is committed to getting businesses moving quickly. The state understands speed to occupancy and sites that are shovel-ready are critical elements when any business is looking to begin or expand operations.
The South Carolina Department of Commerce works with counties and rural communities throughout South Carolina to plan and develop industrial parks and sites that will suit the needs of businesses looking to locate or expand in the state. The agency also works with local communities to address water, wastewater, infrastructure and more.
Click here to learn more about Conferences & Events related to economic development.
Community Development Planners
With combined economic development experience of greater than 100 years, dedicated Community & Rural Planning and Development staff members are eager to work in their assigned regions of South Carolina. Community Development Planners assist local leaders in achieving success for their communities with primary emphasis on the development of industrial parks and sites, enhanced available industrial buildings, leadership development, downtown revitalization, technical assistance and strategic planning. The recent addition of two land planners will enhance the efforts of the Community Development Planners to better assist South Carolina communities in achieving a better quality of life through smart growth.
Please click on any of the counties below to contact the Planner who works with that county.
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Amy Blinson -(Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Greenville, Lancaster, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, Union, York)
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Ed West -(Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion, Marlboro, Williamsburg)
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States Clawson -(Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Dorchester, Kershaw, Lee, Sumter)
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Ed West - (Abbeville, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Richland, Saluda)
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Melissa Patterson-(Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Calhoun, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper, Orangeburg)
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Community Development Corporations
Community Development Corporations (CDCs) are community-based, non-profit organizations created for the purpose of developing and improving low-income communities and neighborhoods through economic and related development. They have a primary function of developing projects and designing activities to enhance economic opportunities of the people in the community served, including efforts to enable them to become owners and managers of small businesses and producers of affordable housing and jobs.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
These specialized financial institutions are created for the purpose of promoting community development by providing credit, capital or development services to small businesses or home mortgage assistance to individuals including, but not limited to, capital access programs, micro-lending, franchise financing and guaranty performance bonds. The community development financial institution was created with the goal of providing a majority of its services to low-income individuals, minorities, females or rural areas and maintains, through representation on its governing board, accountability to persons in need of the institution's services.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The South Carolina Department of Commerce is committed to the diffusion of community and economic development across the state. Through the South Carolina Community Economic Development (CED) Fund and the Community Development Tax Credits Program, the South Carolina Department of Commerce supports viable community development initiatives and provides investment incentives for private investors.
The South Carolina CED Fund is a valuable CDC funding tool that supports projects and activities of community-based, non-profit organizations focused on improving the quality of life and creating economic opportunity in low-income communities through partnerships. Eligibility includes certification through the S.C. Department of Commerce as a Community Development Corporation (CDC) or Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). CDCs and CDFIs are major catalysts for community and economic growth in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods and communities.
The South Carolina Community Development Tax Credits Program is a powerful economic incentive that encourages contributions from private sector investors. These contributions provide working capital and initiate partnerships that reconnect distressed neighborhoods to mainstream development. The South Carolina Tax Code authorizes a credit against state income tax, bank tax or premium tax liability for up to 33% of all amounts contributed to a certified CDC or CDFI.
The South Carolina Department of Revenue administers the credit and has created a S.C. Schedule-14, which should be completed when filing your state tax return.
CERTIFICATIONS
The Division of Community & Rural Planning and Development has established administrative guidelines and criteria for the certification process of CDCs and CDFIs to include Organizational Management & Capacity, Community Involvement & Partnerships, Fiscal Accountability and Resource Development.
The S.C. Department of Commerce has awarded more than $1 million to certified Community Development Corporations across the state.
- Download the CDC Application and CDC "Program of Work"
- Download the CDFI Application and CDFI "Program of Work"
For additional information regarding CDCs, contact the CDC Program Manager.
Click here for additional CDC Resources.
Rural Crossroads Institute
Accessing resources and implementing “best practices” are primary components of the mission of the Rural Crossroads Institute (RCI). RCI works with citizens in rural South Carolina communities to assist them in improving the standard of living for their citizens.
In the present policy context of globalization and international trade, most of the alternative efforts to fight unemployment and generate economic growth are focused at the community rather than the global level. “Think global and act local.”
The Rural Crossroads Institute strives to act at the community level and assist in fostering economic, social and cultural growth. The framework for success at the community level is centered around ensuring sustainable community and economic outcomes, while at the same time, strengthening community-based partnerships and ensuring a strategic vision for planning and enhancement.
GOALS
- To provide technical assistance to convene alliances, craft solutions and secure funding.
- To augment workforce competencies in order to support rural economic development.
- To collect and disseminate information that impacts decisions in order to create sustainable economic outcomes.
- To provide innovative practices that encourages novel thinking in order to attain tangible community and economic progress.
VISION
Enable Rural South Carolina to build and sustain viable communities, needed skills and rewarding jobs in the global economy.
MISSION
To empower rural communities in South Carolina to implement best practices and shared solutions that promotes economic development and growth.
Click here for more information about the Rural Crossroads Institute.