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Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr., a friend to business
Business community mourns the loss of economic development trailblazer
By Shelia Watson
Contributing Writer
For South Carolina, former Gov. Carroll A. Campbell Jr. came along at the right time. The state’s economy was floundering, and the state’s tax codes and governmental structure was not conducive to attracting businesses to the state.
Cambpell, who died Dec. 7 of heart failure at age 65, was remembered and credited for recruiting some of the state’s biggest industries and changing the face of state politics during his tenure.
The political arena
Campbell held two terms as governor, from 1987-1995. During his first gubernatorial campaign in 1986, he campaigned on a pro-growth, pro-business platform. That platform became the hallmark of his administration.
Many politicians credited Campbell with crossing party lines to get things done, particularly when it came to stimulating the economy. He restructured the state tax code to make it more business-friendly and partially restructured state government, making many board-run agencies publicly accountable by putting them under a cabinet secretary that reports to the governor.
A former real estate developer, Campbell was a four-term congressman before becoming governor. At that time, he was the second Republican governor in the state since Reconstruction. He easily won a second term, and only term limits kept him from running again.
“Throughout his life, Gov. Campbell worked to improve the lives of all South Carolinians,” said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C. “He was a visionary that understood South Carolina must compete in a global economy and was instrumental in attracting businesses like BMW to our state. His tireless efforts helped bring our state’s economy into the 21st century.”
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., noted: “Gov. Campbell … was the first governor to make an aggressive, successful effort to recruit large numbers of international businesses to our state and created a model we still follow today. He also helped reform and improve the way state government works for our citizens.”
The business community
One of Campbell’s focal points was education for the business community, and he set in place several programs to help foster continuing education for both existing and startup companies.
James Morris Jr., senior vice president at Wilbur Smith Associates, worked with Campbell for eight years, directing the South Carolina technical college system.
“More than anyone I’ve seen in Columbia in the years since, Carroll Campbell understood the importance of education in the workforce,” Morris said. “He saw business and education as inextricably woven together.”
Campbell’s two terms may be remembered primarily for his focus on economic development, topped off by his efforts in recruiting the German automaker BMW to build its first North American manufacturing plant near Greer. He also helped recruit Fuji Photo Film Co. and Hoffmann-La Roche to the state.
In his eight years as governor, he brought in an estimated $22 billion in investment into the state, along with thousands of jobs.
Among his accomplishments while in office were a $700 million expansion of the Union Camp Paper Mill in Eastover and a $200 million expansion of the Michelin plant in Lexington.
“Gov. Campbell was a visionary who worked tirelessly to secure and improve the future of South Carolina,” said Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “Shortly after Michelin located its manufacturing and R&D center in the Upstate, Campbell was elected U.S. Representative for the 4th District and was a staunch pro-business supporter. As governor, Campbell blazed the trail for South Carolina’s transition into high-tech manufacturing, continuing to attract global companies.”
His underlying goal was to help the people of South Carolina get permanent, high-paying jobs, Morris said.
“It was a passion of his. He also knew that economic development is a process, not an event. Some people think it’s about bringing companies to town, showing them around and that’s it. Carroll Campbell understood that the process involved a lot more. He had people calling on BMW five years before they showed up, and that diligence paid off,” he said.
When BMW partnered with Clemson University with plans for the International Center for Automotive Research in Greenville, BMW requested that the graduate engineering school be named after Campbell.
In one of his last public appearances, Campbell helped break ground on the Carroll A. Campbell Jr. Graduate Engineering Center, which will open on the ICAR campus next year.
Disaster response
When Hurricane Hugo approached the South Carolina coast in September 1989, Campbell organized a group of top aides, including law enforcement personnel and disaster relief groups, to plan how to deal with the storm.
Campbell emerged as a hero for his sound judgment and decisiveness during the aftermath, setting the standard for disaster response leadership.
Within hours of surveying the damage with former President George H.W. Bush and the late Sen. Strom Thurmond, Campbell had volunteers from around the state organized to lend a hand.
“The Port of Charleston owes a lot to Gov. Campbell's legacy,” said Bernard Groseclose, president and CEO of the S.C. State Ports Authority.
“The industries he attracted to our state now generate tremendous positive impacts on the Charleston economy. But his leadership went well beyond his political accomplishments and his tremendous contributions to South Carolina’s economic development. One example was Gov. Campbell’s inspiring leadership before and after Hurricane Hugo, which helped to save lives, protect property and speed recovery.”
When he discovered some companies were charging as much as $10 for a bag of ice, he issued an executive order against price gouging. He sent word throughout the Southeast that ice was needed in Charleston, and trucks started coming into the city, giving away ice to residents.
“What South Carolina is today it owes in strong measure to the vision and leadership of Carroll Campbell,” said Micali. “A statesman in every sense of the word, Gov. Campbell was a tremendous force for good government that is deeply appreciated and that will be sorely missed.”
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