Haley Putting Pedal to Metal on Manufacturing

Since taking office last year Governor Nikki Haley has made it clear to anyone who will listen that her first, second and third priorities are turning around the scuffling South Carolina economy.

On Thursday at CU-ICAR in Greenville, she reiterated that commitment and told attendees what she’s doing to make it a reality. The occasion for Haley’s visit was the South Carolina Auto Manufacturing Summit. Haley later visited 3M in Greenville and spoke at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting.

In numerous public statements, Haley has boasted about the new business she has helped bring to South Carolina. On Thursday, she was sure to praise existing lynchpins like BMW.

“It’s not just about seeing how many companies you can bring in, it’s also about taking care of the companies we already have here,” Haley said.

To continue the point, Haley remained auto-centric. She referenced negotiations with tire manufacturers Continental and Bridgestone. Haley said neither company was threatened by the presence of Michelin in the state or vice versa. Rather, the presence of Michelin was used as a selling point in terms of workforce and business friendliness.

As she has on many occasions, Haley stated that the key to South Carolina remaining competitive economically is to remain hostile to unions. “We want make it so difficult for unions to operate here that they don’t even bother,” Haley said.

Haley also discussed the job-training program she announced last week. ACT, known to many as an administrator of college readiness tests, will work with state agencies to streamline job-training programs.

Haley said it is important for the state to attract a variety of businesses, citing the troubles the state ran into when mills across the state lost jobs overseas. “We saw what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket with the textile industry, now it’s completely about having diversity,” she said.

In a session with the media after her remarks, Haley intimated that more auto-related jobs may be on the way, but would not elaborate.

Earlier in the day, Haley announced her next round of “Open Door” meetings to take place next Tuesday in Spartanburg.

Later, Haley learned that her bid to restructure government and abolish the Budget and Control Board had been unanimously approved by the senate.