2001 Annual Report Executive Summary
Williamsburg/Lake City Enterprise County
The Williamsburg Enterprise Community Commission, Inc., (WECC), completed its most productive year ever. The agency forged forward creating new partnerships, expanded employment opportunities, provided training, improved housing and the quality of life of many Enterprise Community residents. Partnerships are a integral part of providing services. The WECC partnered with the Williamsburg Faith Based Initiative, South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, (SCHAC), South Carolina Special School, Waccamaw Regional Planning Council and Williamsburg Technical College, Williamsburg County School District, Palmetto Project to do that. The Faith Based Organization, which is made up of local churches, partnered with the Enterprise Community to conduct public forums, create a method whereby local tradesmen can obtain licenses as minority contractors and, therefore, seek state and county construction jobs.
The SCHAC provided technical assistance to the Enterprise Community for the development of the Williamsburg Community Relations Council. This Council will act as a conduit for public issues, community education and public forums. Housing ranks as one of the agency's strongest achievements this year. The agency's emergency home repair program received $50,000 to invest up to $6,000 per home to improve safety and/or correct health hazards in homes. The Enterprise Community also administered a $30,000 grant to improve homes without in-door plumbing. Five high school students were used in this project. These students learned skills in carpentry, plumbing and electrical wiring. The program was successfully completed with the help of the Williamsburg County School District. Funds for project came from the Workforce Investment Act provided by the Waccamaw Regional Planning and Development Council, (Council On Governments). Transitional Housing continues to provide temporary shelter and family life skill training for homeless residents. Thirty families were served last year that were able to move on to independent living. Members of the WECC’s Individual Development Accounts (IDA's) program, are saving funds to be used for the purchase of their first home, buy a car, and pay for post secondary education. Currently, the Enterprise Community has 13 IDA accounts and a 15-member waiting list.
JOBS/TRAINING – Clearly, the largest housing initiative for the WECC to date is the $1.5 million subdivision about to be built. The 27-homes subdivision will create jobs, improve a neighborhood and provide investment opportunities to residents. The agency assisted many residents with computer training. The training was provided through a partnership with Williamsburg Technical College, local churches, county government and volunteers. Many of these students found jobs as a result of this training with ClientLogic, a computer technology service center. Jobs were also created through a greenhouse the Enterprise Community funded. The greenhouse provided employment, produce and products for travelers and local patrons in Greeleyville, South Carolina. Nearly 50 jobs were created or saved through the WECC's Business Development Center programs with loans for a trucking business, textile plant, communications service, restaurant and beauty shops. Training citizens to contribute to the community remained a priority in our efforts in 2001. The WECC partners with the Palmetto Project to allow them to train residents on race relations using the Omega Circle concept. High school students learned business skills by creating and operating a T-Shirt business for WECC. These students learned business skills, which will serve them well. Jobs, homes and training all contribute to community growth. The WECC also sought to improve the quality of life of some residents with food distributions to persons with low income. The agency gave $1,500 to Parents Anonymous to facilitate parenting skills and help stem adverse juvenile issues. This summer we assisted the local governments with a $7,200 grant to open two swimming pools to accommodate many adults and children with additional summer recreation opportunities. The Enterprise Community area has continued to received funds because of the designation and endorses local projects. One such under taking has been the federal prison. Currently, under construction the operation has 197 persons employed most of whom are E/C residents.
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