EASLEY — Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster visited Easley this week as the guest speaker for the Easley Rotary Club and spoke on the state’s readiness and excellence in economic development and the hurdles his office and the state faces.
“One of the biggest challenges of being lieutenant governor is getting everyone in the same room and beginning the process of collaboration,” McMaster said on Tuesday. “Accomplishing what needs to be accomplished is a huge task especially when there aren’t enough resources and no matter what there are never enough resources to accomplish all we would like.”
Speaking to the gathering of Rotarians, McMaster spoke on the budget and the cutting of resources “thinner and thinner” even during economic growth as a matter of necessity and offered the solution as continued growth in the economic arena to grow the necessary funds.
“South Carolina is in perfect shape to create even more momentum when it comes to economic development, and we have the assets other states don’t have to keep that momentum going,” he said. “With leadership collaborating and cooperation between agencies to assist we can grow a mature and stable economy here.”
McMaster cited several areas as assets the state has to offer including research universities, deep water port, an inland port located in the upstate, the best technical college system in the United States, great weather and coastline prompting tourism, enormous agricultural potential, and great people who are ready and willing to work.
When it comes to economic development in the Palmetto State, the lieutenant governor stated the present administration’s commitment to continued success where business is concerned.
“Our goal is to see South Carolina’s prosperity outpace everyone else because when we get ahead of the curve, we can stay ahead of the curve,” he said. “The key is we have what it takes to bring new jobs to this state and have been a leader across the country, and leading the region in development.”
