Quick Facts about South Carolina's Natural Resource Assets
Blessed with incredible natural bounty and beauty, South Carolina’s natural resources are essential for economic development. The overall value of SC’s natural resources is, in some ways, immeasurable. Economic activities tied to the state’s resource base sustain nearly $30 billion in tangible economic benefits for South Carolina. Approximately 235,000 jobs are linked to activities that depend on our natural resource base. (Study completed at University of South Carolina Moore School of Business ~ 2009)
Fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and coastal tourism all depend on healthy and abundant natural resources. South Carolina Department of Natural Reources has a primary mission to support, maintain and enhance these activities.
Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Viewing Economic Impact |
|
| 2008 | Total |
|---|---|
| Value Added * | $2,191,409,000 |
| Labor Income | $1,355,670,000 |
| Employment | 58,519 |
| Output | $3,793,973,000 |
- * Net overall contribution to the State's economy (gross state product)
Visitors and local residents take advantage of South Carolina’s most famous recreational asset — its sandy beaches and ocean surf, generating approximately $3.5 billion annually and supporting 81,000 jobs.
Coastal Tourism Economic Impact |
||||
| 2008 | Direct | Indirect ** | Induced** | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value Added* | $2,175,917,712 |
$525,611,037 |
$800,411,667 |
$3,501,940,417 |
| Labor Income | $1,357,208,542 |
$295,208,228 |
$411,000,802 |
$2,063,417,573 |
| Employment | 60,399 |
8,119 |
12,466 |
80,984 |
| Output | $4,684,866,174 |
$1,002,277,617 |
$1,358,850,668 |
$7,045,994,459 |
| Source: Estimated based on "The Economic Impact of Travel on South Carolina Counties, 2007" | ||||
- * Net overall contribution to the State's economy (gross state product)
- ** These effects stem from payroll and local purchases.
When the global economy is strong, South Carolina exports over $1 billion in forest products. Ranked first in employment among SC’s manufacturing sectors, the forest products industry contributed over 83,000 jobs to the state in 2008.
Forestry Economic Impact |
||||
| 2008 | Direct | Indirect ** | Induced** | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Income | $2,180,036,000 |
$1,087,402,000 |
$701,402,000 |
$3,968,867,000 |
| Employment | 36,365 |
26,094 |
21,366 |
83,824 |
| Output | $10,790,000,000 |
$4,057,408,000 |
$2,292,836,000 |
$17,140,244,000 |
| Source: "The Economic Impact of the Agribusiness Industry in South Carolina, 2008" | ||||
- ** These effects stem from payroll and local purchases.
Mines and quarries are found in every region of South Carolina, including urban and rural areas.
Mining Economic Impact |
||||
| 2008 | Direct | Indirect ** | Induced** | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value Added* | $146,160,135 |
$23,120,680 |
$49,429,710 |
$218,710,525 |
| Labor Income | $88,399,575 |
$13,648,195 |
$25,383,380 |
$127,431,150 |
| Employment | 1,449 |
320 |
789 |
2,558 |
| Output | $264,777,040 |
$45,223,145 |
$83,915,315 |
$393,915,500 |
| Source: Estimated based on employment data from "Bureau of Labor Statistics" | ||||
- * Net overall contribution to the State's economy (gross state product)
- ** These effects stem from payroll and local purchases.