Area leaders lobby for York County in Columbia

Local business leaders and officials from across York County met in Columbia this week to discuss economic development in the area.  State Representative Ralph Norman says there are several factors his constituents expect him to deliver.

Norman says the legislature needs to remove the red tape in order for the small businesses to have a fair and equal chance.

State Representative Tommy Pope echoed Norman’s plea for fewer restrictions on small businesses, and says the government needs to stop talking about initiatives and take action.

Norman and Pope both say South Carolina lawmakers need to be more proactive if economic development is to prosper in the next few years.

Tega Kay city councilman Ron Kirby says infrastructure following a major project like the one in Charleston benefits other counties on several different levels.

Keystone Substance Abuse Services director Janet Martini says unemployment is still very high in York County and that legislators should take advantage of York County Day to actively address the issue in front of their constituents.

The political forum structured around unemployment emphasized growing commerce as part of the economic development plan.

The politicians unanimously agreed that it would take spending more of the state budget on expanding infrastructure and development in order to create more jobs.