Local counties see van pools as a solution to fix high rural unemployment rate

In the fastest growing county in South Carolina, many towns are becoming cities with immense population growth forcing infrastructure and business developments in places like Moncks Corner, Goose Creek and Summerville. But in more rural places, such as Bonneau, St. Stephen and Pineville, there is catching up to do. Unemployment and poverty is high and transportation to jobs, services and educational opportunities is sparse.

According to a study by the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, 20 percent of the unemployment population comes from small towns and communities in those areas. This is due, in part, to low vehicle ownership and practically no transportation possibilities for rural residents. A new proposal by COG, with a potential price tag nearing half a million dollars, is aiming to fix the problem by purchasing passenger vans to connect residents to technical schools, bus lines and businesses.