WHEREAS, South Carolina's military installations and facilities are essential to the national defense, the safety and security of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, military installations and facilities, personnel and their families, and retirees located in South Carolina are vital components of this State's economy; and

WHEREAS, it is this State's intent to develop programs to assist communities in supporting their local military installations and activities to enable South Carolina to maintain its strong military heritage and presence; and

WHEREAS, South Carolina is committed to create a business climate favorable to military installations and activities, and to enhance the quality of life for military personnel assigned in this State; and

WHEREAS, this State supports the continuing transformation of our armed forces in order to enhance our national defense and reduce base operating costs; and

WHEREAS, facilitating the interaction between government and private sector leadership is crucial in order to maintain a vital United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina; and

WHEREAS, a coordinated national, state, local, and community effort is fundamental to the strategic planning of the communities associated with this State's military installations and activities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I do hereby reconstitute the South Carolina Military Base Task Force ("Task Force") for the purpose of enhancing the value of military installations, facilities, and personnel located in this State. The Task Force shall assist military communities with such value enhancement, address the various incentives to military personnel assigned in this State, and provide for other methods and incentives to accomplish these purposes. The Task Force shall coordinate efforts among the public and the private sectors to maintain the significant United States Department of Defense presence in South Carolina. The Task Force shall advise the Governor on any issues and strategies related to military base closures, realignments, and mission changes.

1. The reconstituted Task Force shall be comprised of the following individuals or their designees:

   South Carolina Adjutant General
   Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce
   Director of the Governor's Office of Veterans Affairs
   Executive Director of South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Beaufort Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Chamber of Commerce
   Chief Executive Officer of Sumter Chamber of Commerce
   Chairperson of Beaufort County Council
   Chairperson of Berkeley County Council
   Chairperson of Charleston County Council
   Chairperson of Richland County Council
   Chairperson of Sumter County Council
   Mayor of Beaufort
   Mayor of Charleston
   Mayor of Columbia
   Mayor of North Charleston
   Mayor of Port Royal
   Mayor of Sumter

   1. The Governor shall also appoint one member of the Senate and of the House of Representatives to the Task Force.

   2. The Governor shall appoint five at-large members:
      1. to be eligible for appointment by the Governor as an at-large member, a person must have demonstrated experience in one or more of the following areas: economic development, defense industry, military installation operation, environmental issues, finance, local government, or senior military leadership;

      2. four of the at-large members shall represent, respectively, the four military communities (Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, and Sumter) and each shall reside in the military community which he/she is appointed to represent;

      3. the Governor shall appoint a fifth at-large member who shall also serve as the Task Force Chairman.

   3. The Governor may designate any one of the members of the Task Force as its Vice-Chairman. If the Governor does not designate a Vice-Chairman, the Task Force shall elect a Vice-Chairman from among its members.

   4. The Governor may provide staff support as necessary, through Task Force funding within the South Carolina Budget and Control Board, to assist the Task Force in carrying out the directives of this Executive Order.

   5. The Task Force Chairman shall appoint an Executive Committee consisting of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Adjutant General (or his designated representative), Executive Coordinator, and four (4) of the Task Force membership who represent, respectively, the four military communities (Beaufort, Charleston, Columbia, and Sumter).

2. The Task Force Executive Committee shall also act as an executive advisory committee to the Governor on various military matters that affect this State; and coordinate an annual meeting between the Governor, military commanders, and General Assembly members geographically representing military communities to discuss items of interest to all parties and exchange pertinent information on the current climate and challenges facing our military installations and their personnel.

3. Upon approval of the Governor, the Task Force may pursue specialists to provide information and assistance, develop strategic plans, and assist executing strategies to support military installations and their related military communities to maximize the potential for increased investment by the United States Department of Defense or other defense-related federal agencies and defense-related businesses in this State.

I hereby rescind Executive Order 2003-10. This Order, 2006-05, shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 19th DAY OF MAY, 2006.

MARK SANFORD
Governor

Last Updated: Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 4:10 P.M.