(AP) -- University of South Carolina economists have an idea of what 2011 will bring and plan to share their thoughts with the state's business leaders.

The Darla Moore School of Business will hold its 30th Economic Outlook Conference on Thursday at USC.

This year's conference will focus on the role of small business in the state's economic recovery.

South Carolina's unemployment rate peaked at an all-time high of 12.5 percent in January and has stayed relatively high all year as businesses continued to cut jobs and hold off on new hiring. State and local governments are cutting services and workers as well to compensate for lower tax revenues.

Conference keynote speaker Zoltan Acs will speak on job creation following the Great Recession.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)