Columbia, S. C. - Governor Jim Hodges announced today the creation of two advisory committees charged with evaluating and establishing policies at the state Department of Commerce.

Both advisory committees will be chaired by Dean Joel Smith, Dean of the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business, and consist of leading South Carolina business executives and economic development professionals.

"These business leaders have the experience and objectivity to fairly evaluate the Department of Commerce's procedures," Hodges said. "The bottom line is to keep South Carolina's competitive edge in economic development and job creation."

The Governor has created the Special Events Fund Advisory Committee to establish guidelines and procedures for Special Events Fund expenditures. This committee will serve as a permanent advisory panel to the Department of Commerce on all issues related to the fund. The committee would also oversee the production and distribution of quarterly and annual reports to fund contributors.

The fund was created in 1991 to supplement Department of Commerce economic development activities. Until now, the Special Events Fund operated without formal policies regarding expenditures.

The Governor has appointed the following business leaders to the Special Events Fund Advisory Committee:

George Bullwinkel - Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Economic Development & Customer Relations of SCANA

Charlie Cole - Executive Vice President of Wachovia

Jim Rogers - Director of Economic Development for South Carolina for Duke Power

Emerson Gower - Vice President Southern Region of Progress Energy

James Bradley - Chairman of the Board of the Springs Company

Additionally, Governor Hodges created an advisory committee to review and evaluate the Department of Commerce confidentiality policies related to the Freedom of Information Act. Following the committee's review, the Governor has asked for a report including recommendations for changes to these policies and statutes.

The Governor has appointed the following business leaders to his Department of Commerce advisory committee:

Hayne Hipp - Chairman of South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

Smythe McKissick - Chairman of South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance

Bill Boyd - President of Haynesworth, Sinkler and Boyd

Mike Briggs - Executive Director of Central Carolina Economic Development Alliance