The proposed Santee casino development is, without question, a potential economic game-changer for Orangeburg County. The numbers tell a compelling story—4,600 jobs, an estimated $75 million in annual tax revenue, and the opportunity to transform a historically underdeveloped region into a major economic hub. On the surface, this is the type of investment that struggling communities dream of: a fully private, billion-dollar project that could drive business growth and tourism along the I-95 corridor.
But as I consider this project, I have one critical question: If the legislature approves the casino, will they also take the next step and provide the public safety and infrastructure investment necessary to support it?
A Casino is More Than Just a Business—It Requires Visionary Infrastructure Planning
Casinos aren’t just businesses; they are massive economic ecosystems that require careful planning, strong public services, and long-term infrastructure investments. Without these foundational elements, the full potential of a casino cannot be realized, and instead of becoming an engine for regional transformation, it risks becoming a development with unmet needs and unintended consequences.
For Orangeburg to reap the maximum benefits, the state legislature must be willing to make parallel investments in key areas, including:
- Law Enforcement & Public Safety – Orangeburg County does not currently have the police force or detention facilities to handle a large-scale casino town’s increased demands. Will the legislature commit to funding an expansion of law enforcement, traffic control, and emergency response services to ensure safety?
- Healthcare & Social Services – A casino will bring more people to the area, meaning greater demand for hospitals, urgent care centers, addiction treatment programs, and mental health services. Will the state support increased healthcare funding in the region?
- Infrastructure & Transportation – Increased tourism will bring a surge in traffic, road use, and public transportation needs. Will the state invest in road expansions, transit options, and general infrastructure improvements?
Will the Casino Developers Invest in Local Talent?
Beyond government support, the developers themselves must demonstrate a commitment to investing in the local workforce. Orangeburg is home to two historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), South Carolina State University and Claflin University, as well as Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. These institutions could serve as direct talent pipelines for casino-related careers.
But will the developers partner with these institutions to create job training programs, hospitality management courses, and tech-driven workforce initiatives that ensure Orangeburg residents, particularly young professionals and students, are first in line for these new jobs?
Casinos require skilled labor in hotel management, culinary arts, security, accounting, information technology, and customer service—all fields that SCSU, Claflin, and OC Tech could train students in. A true partnership between the casino developers and these schools could elevate educational opportunities and career pathways for local students.
The Legislature’s Role: A Test of Vision and Courage
The real question here isn’t just whether South Carolina lawmakers will approve the casino—it’s whether they have the vision and courage to take the next step. Economic development is more than just allowing a business to open—it’s about ensuring that the community has the tools to sustain and benefit from that business.
If the legislature simply greenlights the casino without committing to the public safety, healthcare, and infrastructure investments needed to support it, then the full economic potential of this project could be undermined.
This is more than a casino vote—it’s a vote on whether Orangeburg will receive the structural support it needs to handle such a transformative project.
The developers must also be challenged to make long-term commitments to the region—not just by bringing jobs, but by actively contributing to workforce training, education, and community development.
If South Carolina’s leadership wants to truly transform Orangeburg County, they must recognize that the casino is only one piece of the puzzle. The rest—public safety, infrastructure, healthcare, and education—requires real leadership, real investment, and real commitment. The question now is: Who among our state’s leaders is ready to step up and ensure that this project is more than just a casino, but a lasting economic and social transformation?
