Listening to South Carolina
- 24 hours ago
- 3 min read
Launching the SCETA Public Listening Initiative™
Listening First. Informing Policy. Building Trust.
By: Dennis Fassuliotis, President
Over the past several weeks, SCETA asked South Carolinians a series of simple but important questions.
Not because we already had the answers.
Because good public policy begins by listening.
As artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, robotics, digital assets, and advanced manufacturing reshape our economy, the conversations surrounding these technologies have become increasingly polarized. Too often, citizens are asked to choose between economic growth and protecting their communities.
We believe South Carolina deserves a better conversation.
That belief led to the launch of the SCETA Public Listening Initiative™, an ongoing effort to hear directly from citizens before recommending public policy.
This is not a political campaign. It is not advocacy disguised as polling. It is a commitment to understanding the concerns, priorities, and aspirations of the people who will live with these decisions long after today’s headlines have faded.
Why We Started Listening
Much of the public discussion around data centers and AI infrastructure has focused on fear or promises. Citizens have been told these projects are either entirely beneficial or entirely harmful.
Our conversations revealed something much more nuanced.
South Carolinians are asking thoughtful questions:
Who pays for new infrastructure?
Will electric rates increase?
How is water being managed?
What benefits remain in local communities?
How should digital identity and privacy be protected?
What rights should citizens retain in an AI-driven economy?
How do we encourage innovation without sacrificing accountability?
These are not anti-technology questions. They are questions about responsible governance.
What We Learned
The response exceeded our expectations.
Over just a few weeks, the Public Listening Initiative generated:
More than 45,000 content views
Nearly 17,000 unique viewers
Hundreds of public interactions
Thousands of South Carolinians reached across communities throughout the state
Perhaps most importantly, the overwhelming majority of engagement came from people who were not already following SCETA, demonstrating that these issues resonate far beyond our existing network.
The comments also revealed an important pattern.
While opinions differed on specific projects, citizens consistently returned to the same themes:
Fairness
Transparency
Privacy
Local accountability
Responsible infrastructure
Protection of ratepayers
Meaningful community benefits
Clear and consistent standards
The debate is not simply about data centers.
It is about trust.
From Listening to Leadership
The purpose of the Public Listening Initiative is not merely to collect opinions.
It is to translate those concerns into constructive policy discussions.
The issues raised by citizens align closely with SCETA’s ongoing work, including:
ASCENDSC™, South Carolina’s framework for responsible digital economic development.
SCALE™, our policy framework for responsible siting, infrastructure, energy, environmental stewardship, and community protections.
The proposed South Carolina Digital Bill of Rights™, which seeks to protect privacy, digital identity, and individual freedoms in the age of AI.
Listening strengthens these initiatives by ensuring they reflect the concerns of the people they are intended to serve.
This Is Only the Beginning
Today’s publication marks the release of Public Listening Report No. 1.
It is the first in what we intend to become a continuing series of reports, public engagement efforts, educational resources, and policy recommendations.
Future reports will explore additional topics, expand participation across South Carolina, and continue documenting how citizens view the opportunities and challenges created by emerging technologies.
Our goal is simple:
To help South Carolina become the national model for responsible innovation, where economic growth, technological leadership, individual liberty, and public trust advance together.
Join the Conversation
The future of South Carolina’s digital economy should not be written behind closed doors.
It should be shaped by informed citizens, responsible businesses, educators, policymakers, and community leaders working together.
We invite you to:
Read SCETA Public Listening Report No. 1
Explore the SCETA Resource Library
Join SCETA
Become an ASCENDSC™ Collaborator
Attend the ASCENDSC™ Forum on September 17
Participate in future Public Listening Initiative surveys and discussions
Together, we can ensure that South Carolina’s next chapter is built not only on innovation, but on trust, transparency, and the voices of the people it serves.
Innovation & Protection Together.
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