Economic development experts to discuss initiatives for S.C.

Published: November 16, 2010

CLEMSON — Economic development experts from Australia and South Carolina will discuss initiatives that could stimulate the state economy in a program at 6:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, in Self Auditorium at the Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University. The program is open to the public at no charge.

Peter Beattie, special adviser for economic policy and development for Clemson University and former premier of the state of Queensland, Australia, will open with a presentation on the success of the economic model built by the Queensland government during his tenure.

Beattie was premier of Queensland from 1998 to 2007 and restructured the state’s economy under the innovative “Smart State” technology program. The initiative produced unprecedented growth in the industrial and service sectors.

His presentation will explore the dynamics of the initiative and potential applications in South Carolina and how state government, public-private partnerships and research universities can shape economic recovery and development.

A panel discussion by South Carolina economic development leaders will focus on developing a comparable model for the state. Bob Becker, director of the Strom Thurmond Institute, will moderate the panel that includes:

• Dr. Ray Greenberg, president of the Medical University of South Carolina;
• Fred Monk, chairman of the World Affairs Council in Columbia; and
• John Warner, founder of the InnoVenture Southeast Conference.

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