I have developed a plan to use the position and the clout that comes along with the congressional office to aggressively pursue job creation in the Upstate. The concept is simple, but it will require focus and consistency if it is to be successful.
The first element of my plan is to actively work with business development groups that will aid in identifying business prospects that are considering expansion or relocation of their operations. Diversification of business recruitment has become important over the years, and if we have such diversity in local industry the Upstate will be less subject to fluctuations in the economy.
Second, after identifying good business prospects, I will use the influence that comes along with the congressional office to “get in the door” with key business executives. I will request a meeting to present the advantages of expanding or relocating to the Upstate. We do have a lot to offer. Trade unions are very limited in South Carolina, our citizens have a strong work ethic and often, the State offers incentives for business to locate here. Also, our infrastructure is in good condition in contrast to the rest of the country which is crumbling. The Upstate is a great place to do business.
Finally, after meeting with a prospective business leader in their own home office comes the hard part: convincing them to actually visit the Upstate. Why is this such a difficult jump? Because committing to an in-person visit brings a degree of seriousness to their interest in the Upstate, after all they are spending their money and time here. That is where the personal relationship enters the picture. The relationship built in the visit to their office will be critical in drawing the prospect closer to taking a closer look at the Upstate of South Carolina.
I will be available to help coordinate such a visit by the business prospect and can work with various governmental agencies to coordinate feasibility studies by the prospect as they make a decision on a location.
However, all of this is simply “overtime.” In addition to my regular duties as a congressman, these visits to prospective employers would take place after the congressional session. Instead of flying directly back to GSP International Airport from Washington, I would instead go to meet with a prospect, make our presentation and then fly home to the Upstate. The idea is simply an overlay to what I would already be doing as your congressman. In two years, I would not be surprised to see six or seven significant businesses locate in the Upstate due to the activist approach I would take to business recruitment.
When they come, of course they bring their jobs for our citizens. This is what I mean when I say that I will be a “jobs congressman.”
GUEST COLUMN
State Sen. David Thomas is seeking the Republican nomination for the 4th Congressional District. For more information, go to www.Thomas2010.com.
