The New Carolina Initiative outlined the cluster vision of development for the State of South Carolina and the various task forces established to improve the business environment of the region. We examined key cluster initiatives, highlighting their advantages and maintaining the cluster vision as a priority for the New Carolina Initiative and the 10-year strategic planning effort initiated by then-Governor Nikki Haley. The project showcased the organizational challenges of building a competitiveness initiative, emphasizing the critical importance of engagement from both private and public sector representatives, and provided strategic approaches for the construction of the initiative.