By Mike Fitts
mfitts@scbiznews.com
Published Dec. 23, 2009

The state’s Interstate 95 corridor has to create a regional identity of its own and assemble a new cadre of leaders if it is to move toward prosperity, according to a recent study of the region’s assets and needs.

The study tries to quantify the problems facing the 17-county swath of South Carolina — the schools in which were the subject of the film Corridor of Shame. It also recommends actions to improve the area.

Creating Greater Opportunity in South Carolina’s I-95 Corridor: A Needs Assessment was prepared by RTI International of Research Triangle Park, N.C. It was ordered at the behest of Francis Marion University in Florence and S.C. State University in Orangeburg.

The most important finding, according to the study, was a dearth of political leadership. The region doesn’t have enough empowered leaders to coalesce around any plan of improvement, according to RTI project leader Toby Moore.

“Even if you have a program that’s proven successful, you come down to the I-95 counties and you can’t find anyone to run it,” Moore said.

Rural counties in the corridor have lost their civic leadership, as members of the professional fields — who often provide it — have gone elsewhere. One symptom of the lack of leadership: Often, there’s more rivalry than cooperation between the counties and even within counties.

Addressing that leadership shortage is crucial in order to get any positive change going in the region, the report said.

The two universities could be part of the solution, according to the leaders involved. Both institutions will strive to step forward with these recommendations and help the region take action, according to Francis Marion President Fred Carter. Francis Marion is launching a committee to implement the recommendations, with former Progress Energy executive Emerson Gower as chairman.

Among the report’s recommendations to address the problems: increased use of university-based leadership development efforts and better use of public-private partnerships to get business leaders more involved.