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What is New Carolina?
New Carolina – also known as SC’s Council on Competitiveness – is a public-private partnership working to increase per capita income and enhance South Carolina’s economic competitiveness through a cluster development strategy.
 
What does New Carolina do?
It’s our number one goal to facilitate cluster growth and development. We provide the infrastructure, tools and resources needed to convene stakeholders from around the state in business, government and academia who develop shared strategies for improving competitiveness within their industry.
We also work collaboratively across sectors to enhance education and workforce development, increase support for innovation and entrepreneurship and tackle issues in distressed areas.
 
When was New Carolina Formed?
In 2004, government, business, economic development and academic leadership in the state got together under the recommendation of Harvard Professor Michael Porter, and formed the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness. With 50 board members in leadership positions across the state, the Council began building a volunteer base to help facilitate a cluster strategy and identify key areas of need within the state – such as education and distressed communities.
 
What did Michael Porter recommend in A Strategic Plan for South Carolina?
He recommended South Carolina form a public-private partnership of business, government and academia, to drive a strategy to:
  1. 1. Activate and upgrade clusters
  2. 2. Continue to enhance education and workforce training
  3. 3. Invest in research and the University system
  4. 4. Launch internal and external marketing campaigns
  5. 5. Create an explicit economic development program for distressed areas
  6. 6. Increase support for start-ups and local firms
  7. 7. Create new institutions for economic development
  8. 8. Measure progress in raising prosperity