A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE Luis Rodriguez UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT from santee-lynches affordable housing cdc, TO COMMEND HIM FOR HIS many YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE, AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS AND FULFILLMENT IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize Luis Rodriguez upon the occasion of his retirement from Santee-Lynches Affordable Housing CDC; and

Whereas, a native of Manhattan, New York, Mr. Rodriguez was born to parents Carmen, who helped create an innovative home health care program at the New York Housing Authority, and Victor, a foreman at Grumman Aircraft; and

Whereas, assuming the leadership role of Santee-Lynches Affordable Housing Community Development Corporation in 1997, Mr. Rodriguez's first goal was to complete the development of the first shopping center in the South Sumter area, where many people lived without ready access to reasonable goods and services; and

Whereas, Bracey Shopping Plaza, named after Mr. Rodriguez's friend and Santee-Lynches' first president, offered reasonably-priced spaces for entrepreneurs and provided over twenty new full-time jobs. The shopping plaza has served as a business incubator for many start-ups over the years. Anchored by Family Dollar since its inception, the shopping center houses a restaurant, a barber shop, and several retail businesses that provide much-needed products and services to the residents of South Sumter; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez and the Santee-Lynches staff focus on homeownership as a wealth-building tool and have created new homeownership opportunities year after year. Santee-Lynches expanded its service area to eighteen counties throughout South Carolina; and

Whereas, under Mr. Rodriguez's leadership, the Santee-Lynches staff developed and produced an apartment complex serving people dealing with mental health issues in Orangeburg, purchased a twenty-four-unit apartment complex in Columbia, and created an entire neighborhood of homes with geothermal heating in Lamar; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez also partnered with a for-profit entity to develop and manage low income housing tax credit properties, properties that now generate significant income that is used to produce more affordable housing; and

Whereas, through hard work and a little ingenuity, Mr. Rodriguez and his staff increased the company's rental portfolio from fewer than twenty to over five hundred properties. He also assisted Paramount Metal Finishing in its expansion into Lee County, which created twenty-seven full-time permanent jobs in Bishopville; and

Whereas, under Mr. Rodriguez's leadership, Santee-Lynches hosted an annual basketball tournament for twenty years in Sumter, providing students with a safe outlet and fun experiences each Christmas break. The tournament sold out multiple tournament locations each year; and

Whereas, Mr. Rodriguez, along with valued partners like SCACED, State Housing Authority, Rural LISC, USDA Rural Development, Sisters of Charity Foundation, SC Department of Commerce, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, Sumter County, various financial Institutions, and many others, have provided opportunities for affordable housing and other community-lifting programs throughout South Carolina; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the passion and dedication that Mr. Rodriguez has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Luis Rodriguez upon the occasion of his retirement from Santee-Lynches Affordable Housing CDC, commend him for his many years of dedicated service, and wish him much happiness and fulfillment in the years ahead.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Luis Rodriguez.

----XX----