Upper Savannah workforce board explains appointment process; McCormick council presses for clearer local notice

A representative for the Upper Savannah Workforce Development Board told McCormick County Council on Dec. 11 how regional board seats are filled and why the board must include a majority private‑sector membership.

"The workforce board must always be at least 51% private sector business," the representative said, citing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (Public Law 113‑128) and section 107(b) that governs board membership. The board covers seven counties in the region — Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lawrence, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda — and posts nominations and vacancy notices on its website (upperscworks.com) under workforce system and board resources.

Council members raised concerns about transparency after a recent McCormick vacancy and the board’s recommendation process. Councilor Cook said residents had been surprised that a recommendation appeared to be made by word‑of‑mouth and asked how postings reach the county website and the public. The workforce representative said vacancies and bylaws are posted online, that nominations come from sitting board members and that private‑sector appointees must meet hiring‑authority criteria (owners, CEOs, HR directors or executives with hiring and policy responsibility). The representative said board nominations are vetted by board members and then forwarded to county elected officials for appointment.

Councilors sought a clearer, county‑level notice process. The representative offered to resend application links to county staff and to work with the county to ensure vacancies are posted on county sites and circulated to local economic development offices. No formal county action was taken; council members asked staff to pursue improved local posting and to confirm that future vacancies are widely publicized within McCormick County.