WHEREAS, the manpower resources of the State of South Carolina are vital to the economic growth of the State; and

WHEREAS, a partnership between the private sector, the military services and government is necessary to improve economic development and job creation; and

WHEREAS, military reduction of forces has a definite impact on the State’s economy; and

WHEREAS, the military is a unique source of well-trained and highly motivated workers, who have proven capability to move into the private sector and contribute; and

WHEREAS, the nation and the State have recognized the importance of transition assistance for veterans as they return to the private sector for jobs, training, and education; and

WHEREAS, the coordination of the employment, training, and education must be properly planned and properly executed to ensure the smooth transition of military personnel and their family members from the military services into the State of South Carolina’s workforce and educational institutions; and

WHEREAS, coordination of transition services is essential to assure minimal impact on the economy of the State of South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, military installations and facilities are integral components of local municipalities providing positive partnership in the social and economic realm; and

WHEREAS, facilitating the interaction of military installation leadership with local, county, and state government and private sector leadership is instrumental in maintaining the viability of the Department of Defense presence in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, this partnership is vital to the strategic planning and development of the resources and communities associated with this State’s military installations.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of this State, I hereby establish the South Carolina Military Assistance Council to coordinate the efforts of the military, private sector, and government in all military matters that affect South Carolina.

The South Carolina Military Assistance Council shall be comprised of individuals from state and federal levels. The Chairman of the Council shall be the Executive Director of the S.C. Employment Security Commission and the Vice Chairman shall be the Executive Director of the S.C. Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. The remaining members of the Council shall be: the Secretary of the S.C. Department of Commerce; the Executive Director of the S.C. Commission on Higher Education or his designee; a designee from the S.C. Employment Security Commission; the Executive Director of the S.C. State Board for Technical & Comprehensive Education, or his designee; the State Superintendent of Education, or her designee; the Director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism, or his designee; the Director of the Office of Veterans Affairs; the Executive Director of the S.C. State Budget and Control Board, or his designee; the Director of the S.C. Department of Social Services, or her designee; a representative from the South Carolina Adjutant General’s office; a representative from the U.S. Veterans Administration, Columbia Regional Office; the Military Base Development Manager of the S.C. State Budget and Control Board; a representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration; a representative from the S.C. Small Business Development Center; a representative from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service; a representative from the S.C. Chamber of Commerce; a representative from the S.C. Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars; a representative from the S.C. Department of Disabled American Veterans; and a representative from the S.C. Department of American Legion, and representatives from each of the State’s military installations.