Clemson University is taking the right approach to encouraging greater diversity in its vendor and contractor relationships in its off-campus developments such as the International Center for Automotive Research. The university's approach ensures that as such public-private partnerships encourage new economic development in our state, the rising tide will have a better chance of lifting all boats.

The university administration recently approved the new "Diversity Vendor and Procurement Initiative" aimed at increasing activity with minority-owned businesses. A state guideline already calls for the university and other state agencies to aim for awarding at least 10 percent of contracts to minority-owned businesses. Such a policy does more than help spread the wealth around the state; it also ensures an open door to businesses that once were locked out of doing business with the state.

The percentage of minority-owned firms doing business with ICAR has been in the 5 percent range, Bob Geolas, ICAR's executive director, told Greenville News business writer Rudolph Bell. "We're not satisfied with that and I'm not satisfied with that." Geolas said ICAR won't be truly successful unless all of the community participates in it and benefits from its success.

Clemson President Jim Barker has been a strong proponent of the new diversity plan for off-campus developments. These new guidelines come at an appropriate time given what the university calls "the high level of activity" expected to take place over the next 12 to 18 months at the automotive research campus in Greenville.