Rural Resource Coalition of SC announces Mignon Clyburn, Principal at MLC Strategies & former Commissioner of the FCC, as a keynote speaker at 2023 Annual Meeting

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COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Rural Resource Coalition of SC (RRCSC) is proud to announce Mignon Clyburn, Principal of MLC Strategies and former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as the keynote speaker for its 2023 Annual Meeting. This year’s annual meeting will focus on the theme “The Evolving Rural Landscape: Modern Challenges and Opportunities for Growth,” at Brookland Banquet & Conference Center in West Columbia on Wednesday, December 6.

Clyburn is a leader in telecommunications and media who served as the Commissioner of the FCC from 2009 to 2018 and as acting Chair from May to November 2013. During her nearly nine years at the FCC, Commissioner Clyburn was committed to closing persistent digital and opportunities divides that continue to challenge rural, Native and low wealth communities. Specifically, she pushed for the modernization of the agency’s Lifeline Program, which assists low-income consumers in defraying the cost of voice and broadband service, championed diversity in media ownership, initiated Inmate Calling Services reforms, emphasized diversity and inclusion in STEM opportunities, and fought to preserve a free and open internet.

Previously, Clyburn served 11 years on the South Carolina Public Service Commission. Prior to that, she was the publisher and general manager of the Coastal Times, a family-founded, Charleston-based weekly newspaper focusing on issues affecting the African American community. She is currently the principal of MLC Strategies, LLC.

“I look forward to being a part of the Rural Resource Coalition’s Annual Meeting,” said Clyburn. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to connect with a strong network of dedicated South Carolina leaders and discuss how we can move rural South Carolina forward.”

RRCSC’s 2023 Annual Meeting provides the opportunity for leaders from conservation, farming, forestry, tourism, and community economic development to come together to reconnect and discuss recent successes, challenges, and emerging opportunities to advance rural prosperity. In addition to Commissioner Clyburn, this year’s meeting features a robust slate of speakers and panelists from state and national agencies including the Small Business Administration (SBA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), South Carolina Department of Employment & Workforce (SCDEW), National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), and South Carolina Broadband Office at the Office of Regulatory Staff (SCORS).

About RRCSC (www.ruralrc.org)
The Rural Resource Coalition of SC is an alliance of leaders from housing, agriculture, community economic development, conservation, forestry and tourism working on behalf of all South Carolina’s residents to strengthen the state’s rural communities. RRCSC’s goal is to advance policy for sustainable rural economic development, promote rural natural resources, and grow grassroots efforts to support rural prosperity. The coalition welcomes organizations, businesses, state agencies and individuals to join us. Learn more about RRCSC here.