Columbia....good to GREAT
By John Temple Ligon Temple@TheColumbiaStar.com

Ike McLeese, CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce speaks to Columbia Rotary.

Riding waves of accomplishment into the Seawell's lunchroom on Monday, August 6, Ike McLeese, president of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, told the crowd he appreciated being invited as Sen. John McCain's warm- up man. Presidential contender McCain is scheduled for the following Monday.

McLeese began by comparing Columbia with Greenville and Charleston, observing Columbia is like neither and doesn't really want to be.

Columbia began on a cotton plantation as a government town. Greenville began based on its business leadership and continues to be led by a strong business class. Charleston's tourism advantages put it at the forefront of the baby boomer relocation and retirement wave.

As McLeese put it, "If you don't have to stay in Toledo, you probably won't stay in Toledo."

Columbia, through the mid- 1980s, was a little too comfortable as the home of Ft. Jackson, USC, state government, and the state's bank headquarters. With its fixed economic condition, Columbia had little need to grow and change.

Columbia can be called "good" in just about all descriptive categories, but it cannot be called great. Not yet.

McLeese itemized the eight issues identified by the Chamber as targets for the next five years to move Columbia from good to great.

(1) Redefining economic development: Quit chasing smokestacks at the expense of existing business expansion. Build a knowledge- based economy. Connect the many projects recently announced or already under development.

(2) Moving people and product in and out of the region: Attend to transportation infrastructure, including public transit. Transportation systems must stay in front of growth.

(3) Homelessness: Develop a comprehensive approach.

(4) Riverfront development: Continue development in cooperation with the River Alliance. Cayce and West Columbia are ahead of Columbia on riverfront development.

(5) Environment and quality of life: Focus on complying with the Federal Clean Air Act. We are borderline non- compliant with the Clean Air Act. Protecting the environment and enhancing the quality of life attracts arrivals in the creative class. Imagine more plug and play.

(6) Hydrogen fuel cell research and development as an economic engine: USC's designation as the national fuel cell research center sets up anticipation for technology transfers into the local commercial sector.

(7) Intergovernmental cooperation: Resolve jurisdictional issues and enter into cooperative partnerships.

(8) Workforce development: In 1950, Columbia's jobs were 20% white collar, 15% post- highschool education and training, and 65% unskilled. By 2000, 20% were still white collar, but 65% were post- high school education and training, and only 15% were unskilled. In other words, with a 50% high school dropout rate, how can we meet the demands?

McLeese fielded a few questions from his audience. Area watersheds came under question, and McLeese cited Fred Hanna, the Chambers task force leader in such matters.

Concerns over the tax status of USC's Innovista were expressed. McLeese said if all the tax- free properties were taken out of Columbia, something the size of Rock Hill would be left.

When just about all of S.C. wanted to see port expansion on Daniel Island, McLeese noted, Charleston said that was a local issue. When Charleston needed a new bridge over the Cooper River, Charleston said that was a state issue.