Sanford: Saving manufacturing jobs not answer

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"That doesn't mean a package of incentives," to lure manufacturing jobs, Sanford told The Greenville News. "It means a more entrepreneurial climate in South Carolina."

Sanford's position is a new direction from previous governors who successfully lured manufacturers — such as GE, Michelin, BMW and many others.

Critics said Sanford's philosophy of nurturing home-grown small business is a mistake. They said turning from manufacturing will abandon an opportunity for a middle-class life for thousands of South Carolinians.

Andy Davis, spokesman for U.S. Sen. Ernest Hollings, D-Charleston, said nowhere has the manufacturing fallout been more evident than in South Carolina, where in the past 12 months the state has lost the most manufacturing jobs per capita in the country.

"As we lose manufacturing jobs, we're losing our ability to sustain a middle class," he said.

Sanford said he plans to build "knowledge jobs," such as those to be generated by a proposed automotive research park along Interstate 85 and tax cuts for "the kid with a basement and an idea."

The governor promoted small business development as an economic philosophy during his campaign. He said it can be hard to justify to the state's 30,000 unemployed production workers.

"It can be painful on an individual basis," Sanford said. "From a society standpoint it can enhance everybody's ability to have that job."

By pushing tax cuts, he said he hopes to build another Sonoco, with its 104-year Hartsville heritage and $3 billion in annual sales.

Tom Barton, president of Greenville Technical College, which for decades has trained manufacturing workers, said the state has to do both — protect its manufacturing base while building its own small businesses.

"For gosh sakes, don't forget the people we brought in here that are spending millions and millions of dollars with big, big payrolls," Barton said, adding he wouldn't go so far as to advocate protectionist legislation.