In 2006, eight state agencies signed a Memorandum of Agreement establishing the GIS Coordination Council for the state of South Carolina. The purpose of this Council is to more efficiently coordinate GIS activities within our State. This included spatial data collection and management, standards development and data and information sharing. Later the Coordinating Council changed to the South Carolina Geographic Information Council (SCGIC). The SCGIC serves as the formal body to develop operational strategies and policies for GIS implementation among cooperating agencies in South Carolina. Additionally, the SCGIC provides a path for data distribution between governments.
In July 2007, a State GIS Coordinator was hired to implement the GIS coordination duties and responsibilities defined by the Council. Primary among these is to serve as the liaison between state agencies represented on the Council and also between the Council and county, local and municipal governments and private sector organizations. Today, the Council is comprised of representatives from SC DHEC, SC Department of Natural Resources, SC Revenue and Fiscal Affairs, SC 811, SC Department of Revenue, SC Department of Transportation, SC Emergency Management Division, SC Forestry Commission, Santee Cooper, SLED, SC Department of Public Safety, SC Army National Guard and the SC Office of Regulatory Staff.
The mission of the South Carolina Geographic Information Council (SCGIC) is to promote a positive collaborative geospatial mapping community between local, state and federal agencies, as well as some private sector businesses. This environment encourages more effective use of geospatial content, while reducing duplication across agencies.