Bills would make TCL an enterprise campus

Twin bills pre-filed in the S.C. legislature would allow the Technical College of the Lowcountry to develop a public-private enterprise to foster entrepreneurship.

Creating an enterprise campus would encourage economic development by making it easier for private firms to cooperate with the college's academic operations, said TCL president Tom Leitzel. He said he thinks the area is ready for the opportunity.

"We have a very pro-business climate here," he said. "It truly does fit in with what (TCL) does and what we're about. That's supporting job growth and development."

Enterprise campuses are exempt from some government regulations, allowing them to respond faster to private sector needs. They are subject to government accountability requirements, such as public-meetings and open-records laws, but have fewer restrictions for project approval at the state level.

The bills, filed by Sen. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland, and Rep. Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort, would add TCL to a list of technical colleges already granted the authority. The General Assembly passed a bill in June allowing enterprise campuses at Aiken, Greenville, Orangeburg-Calhoun, Spartanburg and York. Enterprise campuses already are established at Trident and Midlands.

The state technical college system is composed of 16 schools.

No other entity in the area is better positioned to recruit and train skilled workers than TCL, Pinckney said.

"We have high unemployment here, some of highest in country," he said. "We need to make sure we do all we can to attract high-quality business partners and give the technical college the tools it needs."

Erickson said, "It's going to maximize dollars and provide a qualified workforce. ...When we use the public and the private resources, we get the best out of the deal."

Activities envisioned for a TCL enterprise campus include research initiatives in areas such as aerospace technology, hospitality education and alternative-energy exploration, according to a TCL legislation summary.

Approval by the S.C. Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education would be required before any property could become an enterprise campus and specific projects could begin.

ENTERPRISE CAMPUS BENEFITS:

• Gives students a chance to learn in a business setting while in college.

• Provides entrepreneurs affordable space for research and training.

• Trains a skilled workforce while new products and technology are being created.

• Gives companies access to the expertise of a college faculty.

Source: TCL legislative summary