FAIR PLAY STRATEGIC PLAN: AN EXAMPLE OF A STUDENT AND FACULTY TEAM ASSISTING A

COMMUNITY IN THE PLANNING PROCESSClemson University Institute for

Economic and Community Development

Project Members

Team leaders: Devin Swindall, Research Associate, Clemson University

Institute for Economic and Community Development (CIECD)

Dr. David W. Hughes, Assistant Director (CIECD) and Professor-Course Instructor, Department of Applied Economics & Statistics (APEC)

Class members, APEC 352, Public Finance Economics: Nathan Bailey, Ashleigh Duncan, Rachel Elliot, Michelle

Gottfried, William Hopkins, Lin Li, Sarah Meyers, Gary Nihart, Lu Qiao, Rob Ratliff, and Austin Rizer

Project method developed by: Harry Crissy, Regional Economic and Community

Development agent for Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties, SC, CIECD.

Topics to Discuss

Project Background Process of conducting the strategic plan Major results

Social capital Social capital and growth Local agriculture

Conclusions and recommendations.

Project Background

Fair Play small (population approximately 2,500) unincorporated South Carolina community

On edge of Georgia Border (first SC exit on I-85 from Atlanta, GA to Greenville, SC).

Community starting to experience growth because of proximity to I-85 and Lake Hartwell

Lack of well defined community planning process

Local leaders approached CIECD for help (no funding support).

Decision made to use student driven model to generate a direction for Fair Play.

Process

Preliminary data analysis of Fair Play Key informant interviews Students developed and conducted surveys

(49 questions, many Likert Scale 1-5) Students conducted data analysis of the

surveys, SWOT type analysis Students presented findings and preliminary

recommendations to community leaders. Summary community meeting in January Student driven follow-up projects.

Survey Results Example: Satisfaction with Fair Play Services (5 strongly agree (like!)).

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4.003.65 3.58

3.43 3.41 3.393.17

2.80 2.702.44

STUDENT ANALYSIS OF FAIR PLAY SURVEY RESULTS

Social Capital in Fair Play

One of the major strengths of Fair Play is its strong sense of social capital

However, there is a clash of preferences between groups Long time residents New and/or seasonal residents (Lake house

owners).

Social Capital

Social capital refers to those stocks of social trust, norms, and networks that people can draw upon to solve common problems (Civic Renewal Movement)

Social capital refers to features of social organization, such as trust, norms and networks, that can improve the efficiency of society facilitating coordinating actions (Putnam).

Benefits of Social Capital

Greater cooperation among diverse groups of people

Increased efficiency Shapes regional development patterns Lower levels of crime Improves effectiveness government

institutions of government Direct relationship between poverty and

lack of social capital.

Clash of Preferences as a Threat

One of the major strengths of Fair Play is its strong sense of social capital

However, our study has shown that there are many different preferences among residents of the Fair play area

The strongest differences are found between longtime residents and newcomers/recreational residents

It impedes growth in social capital as well as economic development.

Clash of Preferences

The best way to overcome diverse preferences is through increased interaction between groups and individuals in Fair Play

It is very important that new and old residents interact so that differences can be reconciled

Social gatherings centered around a project that everyone can relate to could provide a solution.

Fire Department

Residents value Fair Play’s fire department Our surveys strongest trend was strong

approval of the fire department The fire department possesses a

leadership role in the community Christmas Parade Bluegrass festival in March Safety Day in May

There are other potentially strong community organizations that do not interact with each other.

Social Gatherings

It’s important that longtime residents and new residents are both involved

Summer is an Ideal time Many new residents are seasonal

The fire department and other community groups should collaborate and sponsor the programs together.

Social Gathering Possibilities

Community Cookouts 4th of July

Community clean ups Parades Beautification of the school building These will help to create bonds among

community groups and individuals.

Unmanaged Growth as a Threat

Fair play will be subjected to urban sprawl from Atlanta and Greenville

Fair play lies on an important transport corridor (I-85)

The industrial park will likely lead to growth

Although some residents don’t want any growth, no growth is not a realistic option.

Using Social Capital to Overcome Unmanaged Growth

Without strong social capital and collaboration among community groups, management falls on small group of people who may or may not reflect the majority’s preferences

Incorporation would give Fair Play more control over development through taxation and zoning

However, the residents are not interested in the thought of incorporation because of bad experiences and their perception of government (county).

Question 20- Incorporation of Fair Play is critical to manage growth. Likert scale: 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree)

Average response of 3.38, third lowest of 17 topics Results imply lack of support for incorporation

Guiding Growth

Develop a “Growth Steering Committee” by involving all community groups and members

To guide growth, must first determine what Fair Play wants: Fair Play Mission Statement General wants, needs, ideas, solutions,

concerns.

Guiding Growth, Continued

Establish Interview Process for potential businesses determine intent and needs expand infrastructure? Potential benefits to bring to Fair Play

Guide Growth Selective construction Jobs

Promote wholesale market, resources for recreation activities (fishing, boating, agritourism, golf, etc.)

Industrial park development?

Targeting Industries: a Form of Guiding Growth

Attract “Creative Economies,” businesses/services that are interactive and can be supported locally or are innovative

Explore/ Expand Information Technology Industry that does not bring traffic/congestion and can run without over use of resources

Feasibility studies for different industries Determines what industries could succeed in Fair

Play Determine what industries are desired

Our survey results showed that agriculture and retail trade are most desired.

Development of Downtown: Another Way to Use and Develop Social Capital

Downtown Consensus Capitalize on current agreements/settle differences Which businesses to promote? Determine style for building facades Add Sidewalks (easy access)

City Beautification (see Woods Cross city, UH) Require community clean-up Raise funding for town signs and promenade Contests for gardens (advertisement in magazines), nicest lake house Community activities (Christmas Light Show)

Old School Building House Art Shows Career Center for extra information and Job Training Fair Play Welcome Building

Organization comprised of business owners.

Utilizing The Old School Building

Using the old school building for recreational activities and a community center, whereby the community can meet and interact with each other

Retired and young mentor program Have the garden club and community members fix

up the school grounds and create a community vegetable garden

Sponsor different adult meet and greet nights, club Entrepreneur Center- arts and crafts or produce Community book share Art Exhibits.

Other Policy Opportunities

Development of community tourism group

Green tourism Natural resources for tourism:

Lake, state park, agriculture Recycling program Farmers market.

Opportunity for Local Agriculture

According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, Oconee County had: over $120 million in sales generated by

poultry and eggs in Oconee County $4.2 million in sales generated by cattle and

calves in Oconee County $852 thousand in sales generated by fruit,

tree nuts and berries.

Opportunity for Local Agriculture

Farmers Market Bring community together to support local

agriculture Issues include: finding management,

identifying target market, finding agricultural suppliers

Farmer organizations Establishing a formal group or club for local

farmers.

Opportunity for Local Agriculture

Strong social capital allows for coordination among farmers.

Collaboration on: Irrigation management Integrated pest control Watershed management Purchasing of capital.

Farmer’s Market

Local agriculture sold at the local farmers market Market brings traffic off I-85 Foot-traffic around town (increased

local spending) However, requires a manager for

organizational purposes and emphasis on advertisement.

Creating a Farmers Market

Location – Close to I-85 Traffic

Implementation of market Board of Directors

Support of Local farmers Setting rules and regulations

Utilizing Clemson University Extension as a resource

Securing Location Advertisement.

Benefits

Farmers Set own prices Interact with consumers

Consumers Cheaper and fresher than grocery stores Interaction with producers

Other local businesses Benefit from additional traffic the market will

bring.

Agriculture Driving Jobs

Fruit production for farmers’ market Growing, processing, packaging Potentially enter Organic market

Agri-tourism U-Pick operations Host events: receptions, parties,

(weddings?) instructional classes (canning, making fruit) preserves.

Sustaining Direction

Continue to have regular, scheduled town meeting/committee and stay organized

Take advantage of current resources already at hand to minimize costs

Promote/advertise Fair Play to attract desired businesses and population

Prevent decay of infrastructure, appearance.

General Conclusions

Social Capital requires cooperation between individuals, government, and the private sector

Fair Play appears to have a high level of social capital, with even greater potential

Efforts must be made to increase bonds between longtime residents and new residents

Fair Play has existing resources that can lead to community opportunities

If Fair Play wants to avoid incorporation and unmanaged growth, a cooperative approach must be used.

An article regarding the strategic plan appeared in The Daily Journal, the local newspaper in Seneca, S.C., on Thursday, December 9th and can be found at www.UpstateToday.com.

Next Steps for Project Team

Utilize students in Applied Economics 412/612 (Regional Economic Development Theory and Policy)

Conduct an industry targeting study for the industrial park in Fair Play

Provide support and resources for planning and implementation of a farmers market

Present resources for applicable grants for revitalizing the old elementary school.