Background and Agency Relevance: The USC Salkehatchie Leadership Institute was developed to stimulate economic development in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, and Hampton Counties of South Carolina. The Center opened in 1998 as a result of public private initiative including the cooperative efforts of the University of South Carolina, the Allendale County Chamber of Commerce, BellSouth, South Carolina State University, Clemson University, USDA Rural Development, SC Commission on Minority Affairs, SC Department of Commerce, SC Downtown Development Association, and Leadership South Carolina. The Institute has continued to build partnerships and coalitions locally, regionally, and on a statewide basis to facilitate leadership development, community development, and economic development. Since its inception, the Institute has served over 1700 youth and adults through leadership training and workshops and has been instrumental in generating over $12 million in grant funding for county, community, and economic development programs. The Center was awarded the "Innovator's Award" from the Southern Growth Policies Board in 2003 recognition for the cutting edge critical role that it is playing in the region's development. In 2006, the Institute Director was named Regional Economic Development Ambassador. The Center also serves as an ambassador for rural counties, with representatives serving on numerous regional and statewide boards as a voice for the needs of rural communities. The Institute provides the area with a link to a variety of state organizations including the S. C. World Trade Center, the S. C. Department of Commerce, and the Rural Development Council. In 2003, the Center was given Institute status by the University of South Carolina with three centers operating under the umbrella of the Institute. In 2007, grant funding was obtained to add personnel in Colleton County who is working with leadership, community, and economic development initiatives.

Program Description: The Institute operates through three Centers to carry out its mission.

1. Center for Leadership Development

Goal - Strengthen Leadership and Building Human Capacity
Dynamic Leadership is essential for the creation and sustainability of economic development. The Center now provides 12 leadership programs that serve more than 150 people annually. These programs serve both youth and adults ranging from basic leadership training for emerging leaders to advanced training for existing leaders. Basic to these programs is the emphasis on community involvement and connectivity. These programs have resulted in dynamic groups of citizens that take ownership of their communities with individuals serving as elected officials and on boards and commissions. Class projects have resulted in positive solutions to community problems. Partners in the programs include Clemson University, Local Chambers of Commerce and Civic Clubs, schools, towns, counties, and numerous state agencies. Specifically, the Center provides:

• Junior Leadership training to 80 high school students each year in Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Hampton Counties. Provides assistance with Colleton County youth leadership program
• Classes annually for over 75 adult leaders and emerging leaders in county and regional programs.

2. Center for Community Development

Goal - Serve as a resource center for community development
Coalitions and collaborations are essential for the best use of scarce resources. The Center has served as the facilitator in assisting governments, communities, organizations, and agencies in working together to access needed resources and find solutions to problems. Some results from this effort include the following:

• Instrumental in obtaining a $2.5 million dollar USDA Enterprise Community grant for community and economic development in Allendale County and the creation of Allendale County ALIVE.
  
• Instrumental in Allendale and Colleton Counties being chosen to receive the Duke Foundation "Rural Initiative" designation that resulted in over 100 unemployed citizens becoming certified CNA's and becoming employed in a crucial area..
  
• Instrumental in Allendale County's $197,000 T21 Beautification Grant.
  
• Instrumental in the creation of the Allendale County Adult Learning Center which has been used as a model for adult programs in the State.
  
• Assisted in creation of the Boys and Girls Club of Allendale Count that is presently serving over 200 youth.
  
• Obtained funding and coordinated creation of comprehensive plan for Allendale county
  
• Obtained grant to do a tourism study for the Salkehatchie Region
  
• Instrumental in the creation of the Greater Savannah Community Foundation and provides administration for Foundation
  
• Obtained grant funding for the renovation of the Carolina Theatre
  
• Assisted in effort for the one cent sales tax referendum for capital projects in Allendale County

3. Center for Business Development

Goal - Serve as a catalyst for economic development for the region.
Successful small businesses are the basis for a stable and vigorous economy. The Center provides small business training and technical assistance to current and prospective business owners. In 2002, the Institute received funding to establish the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), now the Center for Business Development that would provide intensive assistance for business development. Some accomplishments include:

• Partnered with the Walterboro/Colleton Chamber of Commerce to host a Business Expo for the last eight years in which over 2,000 people attended and over 400 people participated in workshops.
  
• Obtained a $70,000 federal grant to fund transportation study for Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Hampton Counties that is providing the basis for a coordinated transportation system in Allendale County and a coordinated system for the Lower Savannah Council of Government Region.
  
• Obtained $2.4 million in grant funding from USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grants to support the Leadership Institute and to establish the USC Salkehatchie Entrepreneurial Development Center (now Center for Business Development).
  
• Created and present a basic Management Training Program that has graduated over 100 participants.
  
• Assisted in numerous business startups and expansions
  
• Provided one-on-one counseling and technical assistance to existing businesses in the areas of business expansion, financing, and priority setting.
  
• Worked with area businesses to obtain $869,000 in financing for business startups or expansions.
  
• Maintains a "hands on" relationship with existing and prospective business owners.
  
• Created "Salkehatchie Outdoors" a website promoting tourism in the five county regions.
  
• Created Salkehatchie Arts, a five county partnership that promotes the arts as an economic development tool for the region and provides a retail outlet for 90 artists.
  
• Working to create Salkehatchie Lures, a regional tourism development and marking plan.

The Institute provides a permanent institutional framework to support the development of community leaders, nurture civic development, and to serve as a catalyst for community and economic development. The Institute could serve as a prototype for rural economic development, especially in poverty areas where resources of this kind are scarce. The successes of the Institute in the first nine years of operation has generated a need for more personnel to adequately provide the services needed for these growing programs and for expansions to increase service.

The Leadership Institute has been funded since 1998 through state funds and community grants. In 2001 through 2008, grants were received from USDA to continue the operation and expand offerings of the Leadership Institute and to establish and operate the Center for Business Development. The Institute has received $100,000 each year in recurring funding from the State Legislature beginning in fiscal year 2002-2003. Additional grant funding is sought each year to support Institute programs.