Transportation cluster launches strategic communications plan

New Carolina’s transportation, distribution and logistics cluster has launched a strategic communications plan with a goal of helping secure the future competitiveness of the industry and increasing prosperity for South Carolinians.

Cluster co-chairman Deepal Eliatamby, president of Alliance Consulting Engineers, unveiled the plan at the S.C. Economic Developers’ Association’s fall membership meeting at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

“The purpose of the plan is to promote a greater understanding of the critical nature of the cluster and its impact on South Carolina’s overall economy,” Eliatamby said.

The plan outlines five main goals and strategies to accomplish in the next 18 months:
-Raise awareness.
-Recruit stakeholders.
-Market the importance of the cluster.
-Establish a transportation, distribution and logistics council composed of industry and government members.
-Raise funds to support the cluster’s growth, development, and projects.

“Transportation is the foundation of South Carolina’s economy, impacting virtually every industry sector, directly or indirectly,” said Paul G. McClintock, senior vice president and chief commercial officer of the S.C. State Ports Authority.

“South Carolina must continue to enhance its competitive position in this industry through development of new port, transportation and distribution capacity. Collaboration within the logistics cluster will position us to take advantage of tremendous opportunities for economic growth in South Carolina.”

The cluster now has more than 40 participants from industry, government, education and trade groups. It has been working during the past year on development of a strategic communications plan, for which key industry leaders identified a need at a statewide summit held in May 2008.

During the next six months, the cluster will present the plan at events in Charleston, Greenville, Orangeburg and Florence, where it hopes it will get feedback and support.

A copy of the plan, “Transportation, Distribution and Logistics: A Plan to Ignite the Cluster,” can be downloaded from the New Carolina Web site.