Orangeburg County graduates four from SCEDS

Patricia Salley, Melvin Smoak, Gregg Robinson, Dr. David Longshore and Rebecca Battle –Bryant

T&D Staff Report

Four Orangeburg County leaders graduated Nov. 9 from the South Carolina Economic Developers’ School.

They are Melvin Smoak, Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five superintendent, Dr. David Longshore, Orangeburg County Consolidated School District 3 superintendent, Rebecca Battle-Bryant, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College’s dean of continuing education and Orangeburg County Development Commission Community Development Manager Patricia Salley.

“In the ever-changing global economy, the only resource that is really rooted in a nation and the ultimate source of its wealth — is its people,” Orangeburg County Development Commission Chair Jeannine Kees said. “To compete and win, our work force must be well-educated, well-trained and highly skilled. We salute all our SCEDS graduates for their commitment to Orangeburg County.”

SCEDS consists of four two-day sessions each year which cover different aspects of economic development.

Graduates must attend all sessions and are tested after each session.

Those who complete and pass the examinations receive ce.jpgication.

Battle-Bryant said the experience was ‘a great experience’ and ‘very challenging’ but also rewarding.

She said the class learned the process of economic development from how to develop and industrial park, to what is involved in building a new speculative building to downtown revitalization efforts.

“It allowed you to get a framework of what economic development is and how to apply that Orangeburg and Calhoun County,” Battle-Bryant said.

She said the course even required tests and a final examination with a final project to initialize and complete a downtown revitalization project recommendation for Bamberg.

The proposal and the intent is to bring it before the Bamberg City Council in the near future.

The South Carolina Economic Development Association offers scholarships to SCEDS at the College of Charleston. Scholarships help offset registration, travel and meals.

SCEDS is a training program under the partnership of the South Carolina Department of Commerce, the SCEDA and the Tate Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Charleston.

The purpose of the SCEDS is to educate those who support economic development professionals in their communities.

Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce President David Coleman said the commitment it takes to complete the SCEDS program shows that those individuals locally who graduated are a valuable county asset.

“It is gratifying that we have so many individuals in Orangeburg County who are interested in the county’s economic development and are willing to make the effort that the program requires.”