Whenever a new technology emerges, many people express concerns that the technology will replace workers and destroy jobs. They fear that by making a process easier or more efficient, technology will reduce the need for human workers. This issue is of particular concern to South Carolina's economy. Since the end of the Civil War, our economy has been dominated by factories. Until recently, our main products were textiles, but these jobs disappeared when textile production was outsourced overseas. Since then, the manufacturing industry has filled the void. While the collapse of the textile industry is still fresh in the minds of many South Carolinians, many fear that increasing computerization will similarly destroy the need for labor in the many factories of South Carolina. Fortunately, not only is this worry unnecessary, but South Carolina is ready for it this time. The state has already taken steps to make itself attractive to new high-tech companies and hopes to become the Silicon Valley of the East Coast. The biggest problem with the idea that technology and computerization eliminates jobs is that it assumes that existing jobs are eliminated. method is the only way to do something. For example, this is like saying that because the refrigerator has eliminated the need for milk, many people are unemployed. This is obviously not the case, as there is now a market for individuals to sell and service refrigeration equipment. In fact, according to a study by the Bay Area Economic Institute, creating one job in the high-tech sector creates 4.3 additional "support jobs" in the local community, compared to just 1.3 "support jobs." for each manufacturing job (Blum, Gutierrez, Ngoufanké, & RR). So instead of decreasing...... middle of paper......high-tech innovation. Needless to say, this would attract many new businesses in need of IT professionals to the region. The resulting benefits to the state would be enormous. In addition to creating high-tech jobs, such ventures would help retain intellectual talent from state universities – many of which have already received public investment in the form of scholarships – in the state. With SCRA's success story and the growing number of high-tech companies in the region, I believe South Carolina will succeed in reaping the rewards of the continued computerization of business and industry. Works Cited Blum, Roberto, Claudia Gutierrez, Toukam Ngoufanke, and Anirudh RR. "Private sector innovation? Think South Carolina, not Silicon Valley." Knowledge @ Wharton. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, December 20, 2013. Web. March 30. 2014.