WHEREAS, South Carolina's military installations and facilities are essential to the national defense, the safety and security of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, military installations and facilities, personnel and their families, and retirees located in South Carolina are integral components of the State's economy; and

WHEREAS,the presence of these military installations and personnel positively impacts the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, facilitating the interaction between government and private-sector leadership is crucial in order to maintain a vital United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a coordinated effort is fundamental to the strategic planning of the communities associated with this State's military installations

NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby establish the South Carolina Military Base Task Force ("Task Force") to coordinate efforts to maintain the significant United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina. The South Carolina Comptroller General shall chair the twenty-one member Task Force.

1. The Task Force shall be comprised of the following individuals or their designees:
   
   South Carolina Adjutant General
   Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce
   Director of the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs
   Executive Director of South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Beaufort Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Charleston Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Sumter Chamber of Commerce
   Chairperson of Beaufort County Council
   Chairperson of Berkeley County Council
   Chairperson of Charleston County Council
   Chairperson of Richland County Council
   Chairperson of Sumter County Council
   Mayor of Beaufort
   Mayor of Charleston
   Mayor of Columbia
   Mayor of North Charleston
   Mayor of Sumter
   
   
2. Senator Phil Leventis and Representative Bill Cotty shall serve as members of the Task Force.
   
   
3. The Chairman may include other individuals or their designees from the affected communities.
   
   
4. The South Carolina Military Assistance Council shall serve as a resource to the Task Force.
   
   
5. The Budget and Control Board shall provide staff support through the Office of the Executive Director as necessary to assist the Task Force in carrying out the directives of this Executive Order.
   
   This Order shall take effect immediately.