South Carolina’s Center of Resilience Excellence (CORE SC) and The Ray launched a formal partnership to collaborate on initiatives that will advance technology and innovation for the State’s transportation infrastructure to pioneer safe, sustainable and resilient design, informing the roadways of the future.
The group’s open-ended charter highlights shared goals to create smart, clean infrastructure with the potential to be scaled across the State and the Nation. The unique public-private-philanthropic partnership leverages The Ray’s record of success and expertise as a facilitator in transportation innovation, with CORE SC’s dedication to find and execute resiliency solutions for the community.
“The Ray is thrilled to partner with CORE SC, deploying clean transportation innovation in South Carolina,” said Harriet Anderson Langford, president and founder of The Ray. “We are ready to build on the success we have developed on our highway proving ground in West Georgia, and provide a safer, smarter, and more environmentally-friendly transportation model for South Carolinians. CORE SC’s commitment to building resilient innovations and The Ray’s expertise in the space align to form a collaboration that can be used as an example for public-private partnerships throughout the industry.”
The partnership is focused on developing technology and infrastructure projects that improve road safety and infrastructure resiliency, prioritize electrified and connected mobility, support a restorative environment, and generate economic opportunity for the State of South Carolina.
“As a resident of the Lowcountry, I am delighted to replicate what we’ve accomplished on The Ray Highway for CORE SC,” said Laura Rogers, director of strategic partnerships at The Ray. “It’s a special privilege to help my home state advance safe and sustainable transportation projects that will build resiliency and protect South Carolina’s exceptional natural beauty.”
A collaboration between the College of Charleston, South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston County Government, CORE SC demonstrates developed solutions and practices focusing on five central resilience sectors – water, energy, connectivity, agriculture, and natural hazards. The partnership with The Ray will utilize their experience in innovation to help develop solutions that bring progress in these key areas for the Lowcountry community.
“Employing smart solutions to tackle our current infrastructure challenges is setting South Carolina up for success,” observed Jonathan Zucker, CORE SC’s board chair. “Once implemented, we look forward to sharing these solutions with other communities. This is one way we can encourage sustainable development.”
“We look forward to working with The Ray,” stated Jim Armstrong, CORE SC Board Member representing Charleston County. “They are actively demonstrating some very practical solutions to infrastructure challenges.”
About The Ray
The Ray is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity and living highway test bed, located on Georgia’s I-85 between LaGrange and the Alabama state line. It begins with an 18-mile stretch of interstate named in memory of Ray C. Anderson (1934-2011), a Georgia native recognized as a leader in green business when he challenged his company, Interface, Inc., to pursue a zero environmental footprint. The Ray Highway test bed is paving the way for a zero carbon, zero waste, zero death highway system to build a safer and more prosperous future for all. Learn more at www.TheRay.org.
About Center of Resilience Excellence South Carolina
The Center of Resilience Excellence South Carolina (CORE SC) is a consortium founded by the College of Charleston, South Carolina Aquarium and Charleston County Government that researches, develops, creates, and implements solutions to resilience challenges facing South Carolina. CORE SC is the nexus between local, state, and federal organizations that lead to actionable outcomes to improve community and societal resilience for South Carolina. CORE SC is a model and partner for others around the nation demonstrating developed solutions and practices.
