Economic Contribution Analysis of South Carolina’s Forestry Sector, 2017

Abstract

South Carolina’s forests are one of the foundations of the state’s economy and define its natural resource environment. They represent the dominant landscape of the state, and support many important manufacturing industries. Forests are renewable resources that contribute to the growth of the state, while providing its citizens desirable aesthetic, recreational, wildlife, water quality, and other environmental values. The SC Forestry Commission initiated the 20/15 Project in cooperation with the Forestry Association of South Carolina and other partners to grow forestry’s economic impact from $17.4 billion to $20 billion by 2015. Forests contribute over $21 billion annually to South Carolina’s economy and provide employment to over 84,000 of its citizens.