Our May GMNA guest speaker, Will Williams, President and CEO of Economic Development Partnership, explained the important role that economic development plays in the advancement of our community. Economic development refers to an industry-based process that can improve the quality of life of a community by creating a better sustainable region. In the last year, our region has seen three major expansions from AmbioPharm, Zeus Industrial Products, and a new solar farm in Edgefield that created at least 250 jobs. AmbioPharm’s most recent expansion produced 100 new jobs and is projected to bring 18 million dollars in new investments. Williams shared that “60 percent of all new investment is done by existing industries” in our region and reiterated that the community should work to keep these industries to continue to strengthen the area.

For new industries, Williams discussed the top key factors that businesses consider when moving to a region, like highway accessibility, labor costs, availability of skilled labor, and tax exemptions. For North Augusta, being close to a major interstate is an advantage for prospective manufacturers and distribution centers, although the desired proximity between both facilities can be an issue. According to Williams, an additional factor that attracts a new industry to a region is the overall willingness of a community to move forward and grow. "As a community, we need to be focused on every day making this area great, but we all need to approach it from an outsider's perspective," said Williams.

Although new industries have a significant impact on a community, change has to come from within as well. He continued to say, “Each one of you has the ability to make this community successful. Not everybody is going to be happy with everything going on in a community, but being able to conduct yourself in a professional matter to disagree without being disagreeable is huge because these companies look and they see what’s going on prime wise.” Williams’ final words of encouragement for the crowd were, “Be positive, you can make this community better, and I need all of you to make it better.”