South Carolina stands at a pivotal crossroads.
Our population is booming, our industries are expanding, and new investments are flowing into communities across the state. As we welcome these opportunities, it’s important to remember that the very qualities that make our state competitive — our landscapes, waterways and quality of life — must be safeguarded.
Economic growth and conservation must go hand in hand if we want progress that is resilient, responsible and sustainable.
That’s where Sustain South Carolina comes in.
As the CEO of Sustain SC, I lead a business-driven organization focused on forging practical, market-based solutions that enhance South Carolina’s competitiveness. We unite industry leaders, government entities and local stakeholders to strengthen the private sector while preserving the natural resources and agrarian culture that drive our way of life in South Carolina.
To give structure to that vision, we created the “Roadmap to Sustain SC.”
The roadmap outlines high-impact strategies — attracting new industries, modernizing production, fostering a circular economy and boosting resilience against flooding and water scarcity.
These are not abstract ideas — they are economic levers.
Consider this: over the past two years, energy-storage companies have announced nearly $8 billion in capital investment in South Carolina.
That commitment underscores how battery technology and energy resilience are already driving job growth, strengthening the grid and positioning South Carolina as a rising leader in the clean-energy economy.
This October, these conversations will take center stage at our fourth annual Sustainability Symposium, the state’s premier event for business and community leaders working at the intersection of commerce and conservation.
The symposium will highlight South Carolina’s defining challenges and opportunities — from strengthening resiliency through land and water conservation to advancing economic development through clean energy and innovation.
We are proud to welcome James Dozier, founder and board president of Centerline Action, as our keynote speaker.
For nearly 20 years, James has been at the nexus of federal and state advocacy, political strategy and grassroots campaigns. He brings a unique background in Republican politics and business advocacy, offering perspectives that frame South Carolina’s opportunity to lead nationally by pairing economic growth with conservation.
The symposium isn’t just about ideas – it’s about action.
Sustain SC has already delivered results through our Land and Water Action Platform, where corporate investments have helped to conserve critical watersheds and preserved natural landscapes like Waties Island.
This year’s symposium builds on that model of success, showcasing how partnerships between business leaders, conservationists, and policymakers can deliver results that strengthen communities and drive prosperity.
South Carolinians support this vision.
We regularly poll voters to stay grounded in what matters most, and our recent statewide survey of 1,200 likely Republican primary voters — conducted with The Nature Conservancy — revealed compelling support for linking conservation and economic growth:
These numbers confirm what we see on the ground every day: economic and environmental resilience are two sides of the same coin.
Our mission is not to saddle businesses with mandates, but to create smart opportunities for investment, efficiency and resilience that benefit both the bottom line and quality of life.
If you care about private-sector growth, job creation, small business opportunities and smart investments in our future, we invite you to join us at our fourth annual Sustainability Symposium on Thursday, Oct. 23, and be part of shaping what comes next.
Leslie Skardon has been the CEO of Sustain South Carolina since February 2024. In 2023, she was named among South Carolina's Top 50 Women to Admire and is a Riley Institute diversity leaders initiative fellow. She lives in Charleston County.
