Changes coming for Lowcountry Economic Alliance | News

By Jaime Dailey - bio | email

HARDEEVILLE, SC (WTOC) - Currently, the Lowcountry Economic Alliance is without a board chair, another member is looking to step down, and the head of the alliance, Kim Statler, has decided to terminate her firm's contract with the alliance at the end of May, stating the organization is "unsettled and strained."

This all comes at a time when the six member board from both Beaufort County and Jasper County is looking to expand, hoping to add new members from the private sector and get the municipalities on board. They're also getting ready to unveil their new logo and strategic plans for the future in May.

The Economic Alliance has been around since 2006, working to promote economic development in the region, recruit businesses, and bring more jobs to the area. Despite the uncertainty going on, board members say they're going to continue the mission.

"The key thing here is we do not want to have a disruption in what we're doing when you're dealing with businesses, trying to attract businesses to the area, working with commerce and the state and trying to get leads, contracts," said Jerry Stewart, Lowcountry Economic Alliance board member and Beaufort County Councilman. "We want to keep the focus as possible, continue as best we can moving forward but never the less, there will be some transition that has to take place."

Stewart says it is important that both Beaufort and Jasper Counties continue to work together because when a business moves to this area, it benefits us all.

They bring new jobs, their employees buy homes and spend money at local businesses and restaurants. 

In response to her departure from Lowcountry Economic Alliance, Statler stated, "Over the past four years, we have worked with the communities in this region to lay the groundwork that will be the foundation for economic development for the Lowcountry," said Statler.  "As our successor takes the helm, he or she will be well equipped with a strategic and thoughtful plan that will make this region as successful as it should be. This part of our great state is on a path to establish itself as a go to destination for industry employers and tourists and we are proud to have been part of it." Copyright 2012 WTOC. All rights reserved.