Attracting retirees to S.C. can bring economic recovery

At 11.4 percent, one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation, most South Carolinians are focused on economic development as our top concern, and with good cause.  We watched our state government grow nearly 50% in the past five years, yet our state’s job situation continues to get worse. 

Clearly, bigger government is not the answer. If it were, we would already have seen the improvement.  Anyone who understands the history of economics realizes that the economy improves with freer markets and less government involvement. 

As a candidate for lieutenant governor, one of my major concerns is finding ways to help bring jobs to South Carolina, while encouraging and fostering the free market.  Since the lieutenant governor oversees the “Office on Aging,“ I am spending time trying to find ways to connect this office to economic development.  With the help and input of people like Retired Marine General (and Medal of Honor recipient) James Livingston, I have a solution.  In taking care of our seniors and making our state a prime destination for retirees, we can help fix the unemployment problem without turning to “big government.“

The average retiree on a fixed income source who migrates to South Carolina generates 3.5 jobs in our state.  In focusing on marketing South Carolina as a retiree destination, and reaching out to bring new retirees to our state, we can go a long way toward fixing our unemployment problem.  In addition, retirees bring valuable skills and experiences. 

The wonderful part of this plan is that our state has a head start on appealing to retirees.  It is full of historic locations.  Our golf courses are the envy of other states. Our climate is excellent, and our beaches attract thousands of folks every year. We hold to traditional social values that many retirees are seeking in America.  South Carolina has the highest numbers of military veterans, per capita, of any other state. The magazine “Where to Retire” recently ranked our tax policy as the most “senior-friendly” in the nation. I believe many more will follow if we work to get the word out and ensure that our state policies are senior-friendly.
Cities and towns can become “certified” nationally as desirable retiree locations and start the buzz among those who are retiring. This is already happening in neighboring states like Mississippi – so we need to get working on this to make sure we don’t miss the boat.

The key will be creating awareness and marketing.  If I am elected, I will put together a committee focused on finding ways to bring retirees to our state and ensure that their needs are being met.  That committee will also be focused on finding ways to get locations “retiree certified” and market to the proper venues. 

Imagine our state becoming a national senior destination, and what that will mean for jobs in our state.  Imagine what this will mean for our existing seniors and their services. Imagine what this could mean for our military veterans.

The way to the future is in finding solutions to move our state forward, relying on the power of entrepreneurship rather than big government programs.  Working together we can help our seniors while also developing our economy and creating new jobs.

Bill Connor is an Army Lt. Colonel (reserves) recently back from Afghanistan where he was the senior U.S. adviser to Helmand Province.  He is a Columbia attorney and lives in Orangeburg with his family, where he serves as Board Chairman to Orangeburg Christian Academy. Bill has announced his candidacy for South Carolina Lt. Governor.