McLeod: South Carolina Needs Our Own 'Rural Rescue Plan' To Create Jobs

by: McLeodForGovernor

Thu Sep 24, 2009 at 16:04:37 PM EDT

News Release - For Immediate Release

McLeod: South Carolina Needs Our Own 'Rural Rescue Plan' To Create Jobs

Over the last few weeks, Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod has released an idea-of-the-week for job creation in South Carolina. South Carolina has been mired in record unemployment for years and McLeod has vowed to make job creation the central focus of his administration.

This week, McLeod proposed developing South Carolina's own 'rural rescue plan' for economically-depressed rural South Carolina. The plan would:

·          Expand the state's rural business fund.

·         Expand broadband Internet access in rural areas.

·         Rebuild failing infrastructures like roads and bridges, and plan for the future with high-speed rails.

·         Promote local agriculture and launch a strong campaign encouraging South Carolinians to "buy local" to help our family farms.

·         Take full advantage of existing federal initiatives to revitalize rural communities.

"I grew up in Colleton County and I know that South Carolina's rural counties are suffering the most from this jobs crisis yet they've mostly been ignored," said McLeod. "The same old approaches aren't going to solve this problem. It's time for something new and something bold. I'll create our own rural rescue plan in South Carolina to create jobs and bring real opportunity to our families."

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Mullins McLeod on Revelation That Sanford Skipped Meetings with Companies Looking to Expand in SC

by: McLeodForGovernor

Tue Jul 14, 2009 at 12:19:11 PM EDT

Charleston, SC - South  Carolina Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mullins McLeod released the following statement today in response to the disclosure that Governor Mark Sanford missed two economic development meetings during his recent Argentine absence.

According to press accounts and emails obtained from the Governor's office, Governor Sanford's office told both economic development prospects that he was too busy to meet with them.

Statement from Mullins McLeod:

"The current political crowd in Columbia has left us with record high unemployment. Change is coming - but South Carolina can't wait until next November."

"With our jobless rate topping 12%, the Governor's only priority should be jobs, jobs, jobs."

"Jobs will be the top priority of my Administration.  But we can't afford to do nothing until we have a new governor."

"With tens of thousands of South Carolinians out of work, it's time for Mark Sanford to do his job. That starts with meeting these two businesses immediately, apologizing for misleading them, and making sure they know that South Carolina welcomes their jobs in our state."

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From "The State," July 14, 2009 --

The governor allowed some economic development initiatives to take a back seat during his secret trip. Sanford was invited to - but turned down - a dinner invitation June 24 with representatives from a company looking to expand its S.C. operation, according to e-mail records. The company's name was redacted. Sanford also declined a June 25 celebration event for a plant expansion by a S.C. business because his schedule was "just absolutely jammed this summer," wrote a staffer in an e-mail.

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