[excerpt from Columbia Business Monthly, October 3, 2024]
As Columbia Business Monthly marks its 35th anniversary, the Columbia metropolitan area is looking ahead to 2036 – the year the city celebrates its 250th birthday. With a goal of capturing the new American dream, Columbia has developed a plan called Envision 2036.
Focusing on its role as a center of commerce, technology and education, Columbia — and by extension the Richland-Lexington County metropolitan area — looks ahead to creating its future. Emphasis will be on attracting and retaining talent, connecting communities, empowering residents, fostering economic prosperity for all and enhancing neighborhoods and municipal services. Also getting special attention is the area’s riverfront, with plans for new parks, roadways and trails to interconnect the communities that line the Congaree, Broad, and Saluda rivers.
With those plans in mind, we asked local government and business leaders a set of questions regarding the area’s future...
Comments provided by Jeff Ruble, Director of Economic Development, Richland County
1. What is the most critical task to help Richland and Lexington counties grow and develop over the next 10 years?
If recent years are any indication, Richland County is poised for continued significant economic development and growth in the coming decade. Recent investments from companies like Scout Motors and The Ritedose Corporation are solidifying our position in two key growing industries: EV manufacturing and life sciences. As these sectors expand, we expect an increased demand for skilled talent and are preparing for an influx of suppliers and related operations.
To ensure success for both businesses and residents, we are adopting a multi-faceted approach. We are engaging with companies to understand their workforce, infrastructure and operational needs, while also identifying employment barriers and leveraging the strengths of our local talent pool. Additionally, we’re strengthening our partnerships with educational institutions, strategic nonprofits, and government agencies to create opportunities and pathways for our citizens.
2. What needs to be done to attract and retain talent?
Attracting and retaining talent that supports our community’s dynamic economic development requires a strategic, collaborative approach among companies, educational institutions and government bodies.
Our office is actively engaging with existing industries in Richland County to understand their immediate workforce needs, talent pool trends, and challenges they’re encountering. These discussions are helping us improve the services we provide to companies and allowing us to connect them with partners offering supportive services. Additionally, the insights gained from these conversations inform our work with community-improvement groups.
In addition to meeting the needs of current businesses, we’re strategically working with companies considering Richland County for their next facility. Through a thoughtful and selective matchmaking process, we seek projects that align with both the current and the future market landscape. Our goal is to ensure that residents have access to rewarding careers and continue to find value in making Richland County, SC, their home while fostering a vibrant environment for both existing and future industries.
3. How can we focus economic development efforts to foster equity and accessibility to prosperity for a diverse population?
Our long-term vision for Richland County is to ensure that economic growth benefits everyone, creating a strong foundation for widespread success. With our recent achievements, we face an exciting new challenge: shifting our focus from simply attracting industries to selectively recruiting the right ones. Our mission is to attract companies that are committed to forming meaningful, long-term partnerships within our communities.
A key part of this mission is understanding the issues and barriers that affect underserved areas and populations. Over the past few months, we’ve initiated meaningful conversations with community organizations that support these groups and are actively exploring strategies to improve workforce housing, transportation and affordable childcare. These efforts help foster a more inclusive economy, where sustainable and well-paying jobs are accessible to all residents.
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