According to a study by USC, South Carolina’s natural resources are a $30 billion per year asset to our state’s economy. The study by the University of South Carolina's Moore School of Business, titled "Underappreciated Assets: The Economic Impact of South Carolina's Natural Resources," is available online at the Moore School's Division of Research Web site.

The researchers measured the annual economic activity associated with certain resources such as land and water, and concluded that more than 230,000 jobs are tied to S.C.’s natural resources.

While many jobs and economic activities can be tied directly to our natural resources, probably one of the least-recognized advantages is the attraction of such resources to talented, high-level individuals in industries that may have little direct connection with natural resources; i.e., intelligent, talented people who want to live and work in an area with abundant, clean, and useable natural resources. While difficult to measure in quantitative terms, the studies authors conclude that “quality natural resource-related amenities and recreation opportunities … provide a magnet for human capital."

The study also related this information for the year 2008:

• Visitors and local residents who took advantage of South Carolina's most famous recreational assets – its sandy beaches and ocean surf – added about $3.5 billion to the state's economy and supported nearly 81,000 jobs.
• Fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing added about $2.2 billion to the economy and supported nearly 59,000 jobs.
• The state's forestry industry exported more than $1 billion in forest products and supported nearly 84,000 jobs.
• Mining activities added nearly $219 million to the state's economy and supported more than 2,500 jobs.
• Commercial marine fisheries in South Carolina added about $14 million to the state's economy and supported 661 jobs.

The recent legal battles over stimulus funds and other budget issues pale in comparison to the impact of our natural resources on our state’s present and future economy. One hopes that business and government leaders will recognize the wisdom of the report’s conclusion - "Natural resources should always be considered integral to economic development" - and spend the time, energy, and effort needed to protect this $30 billion/yr jewel.