SCBIZ Daily Staff

ORANGEBURG –- South Carolina State University and Francis Marion University have joined together to launch the I-95 Corridor Initiative, an effort the two universities hope will address long-running development challenges along this region.

Sixteen counties along Interstate 95 make up the corridor and represent a racially diverse region of farms and small towns between the rapidly developing coast and the growing state capital in Columbia.

Studies will be conducted in each county throughout 2008 and recommendations will be presented for development strategies and specific projects for federal, state and private investment. The universities have contracted with RTI International, a leading nonprofit research organization headquartered in North Carolina, to conduct the study.

“It is important that two institutions of higher learning have taken the lead to come together for economic development along I-95. I know that the study will offer tremendous results for those of us who live along the corridor,” said Sen. John W. Matthews, D–Orangeburg.

Public participation in the study will be a key to its success, said RTI’s Toby Moore, who is directing the research project.

“Our research project is based on the idea that the people who know the region the best are the ones who live and work there,” Moore said. “When we combine that local knowledge with RTI’s expertise in education, public health and regional development, we can provide a really valuable blueprint for the future.”

To ensure public participation, researchers will hold public meetings and briefings, solicit input through a Web portal, and work with the universities and community organizations.

The 16 counties included in the study are Dillon, Darlington, Marion, Florence, Lee, Williamsburg, Sumter, Clarendon, Calhoun, Orangeburg, Colleton, Bamberg, Hampton, Beaufort, Jasper and Marlboro.

“A major part of SC State University’s mission is to collaborate with other entities to provide economic and social growth for our citizens. Economic Development for our state is an important enterprise that determines and shapes our future. We are excited about the tremendous impact the I-95 corridor study will have on South Carolina,” said Leonard A. McIntyre, president of South Carolina State University.