PROBLEM STATEMENT

The needs of rural South Carolina can be better addressed

There are various rural efforts across South Carolina, but they are often short-term and disconnected from one another. This lack of coordination creates numerous missed opportunities for funding and resources to be directed to rural South Carolina in a long-term cohesive manner. Rural communities have historically faced health, economic, social and opportunity challenges.

Rural leaders lack information on opportunities, easy on-ramps to access those rural resources, and greater capacity to use their skills and networks to address the issues in their communities.

Additionally, South Carolina policymakers do not always have the opportunity to:

• Hear directly from their rural constituents;

• Identify the needs particular to rural South Carolina; and,

• Access the latest data and resources that might advance an equitable rural South Carolina