COLUMBIA, S.C. — A group tasked with figuring out ways to get South Carolina up and running again safely held its first meeting Thursday.
The group, called accelerateSC, gathered in downtown Coulumbia.
The group, according to Gov. Henry McMaster, is asked to come up with "a coordinated economic revitalization plan." It's made up of small and large business leaders, healthcare professionals, local government officials, and education professionals.
"The people of our state are depending on us," McMaster told the group in his opening remarks. "And I think we can provide an example example for the rest of the country."
McMaster said he did worry about having a "relapse" of the virus if they acted too quickly, but believed there was a way to open the economy safely.
"I'm confident with the insight and guidance that this group can give that we can work our way out of this with great success."
The economic revitalization plan consists of five components of analysis and effort: Response, Protection, Governance, Resources, and Information.
These components will employ maximum communication, collaboration and cooperation among themselves and those assisting to effectively identify issues, solutions, and assets necessary for a phased revitalization path for South Carolina’s economy, guided by healthcare and medical data. The governor will designate a state agency to coordinate each of the revitalization components; other identified state agencies will assist.
The accelerateSC participants will make immediate, intermediate and long-term recommendations to the governor for revitalizing and expanding South Carolina’s economy while protecting the health of South Carolina citizens.
Among the 30 members of the group are Nephron Pharmaceuticals CEO Lou Kennedy, former USC President Harris Pastides, current Benedict President Roslyn Clark Artis, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott, and Lizard's Thicket CEO Bobby Williams Jr.