Originally appeared in the December 12 issue of The Seneca Journal. Oconee economic development boss Richard Blackwell has said, “If you build it, they will come,” so often since coming to the county in 2012 that the makers of the movie “Field of Dreams” might have...
Read MoreBy Glenn Buddin Pick an economic development measurable and its likely Oconee County excelled at it in 2015. Oconee is blessed to be experiencing record levels of its citizens working, per capita income numbers rising, and the county employment rate has dropped from 6.2 percent to 5.3...
Read MoreBy Richard K. Blackwell The holiday season may seem like a slow time from an economic development standpoint, but the reality is this is the time of year that can really make a difference in Oconee County’s growth. The reason may surprise many because the answer is...
Read MoreBy Richard K. Blackwell October is National Manufacturing Month. It’s important to take time to celebrate our industries this month, because many people don’t think about how any given product on a store shelf is actually many smaller products put together to create the larger end...
Read MoreWhat is the Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Business & Industry Showcase? The Anderson-Oconee-Pickens Business & Industry Showcase is an event designed to let eighth graders interact with the largest employment sector in the tri-county area, manufacturing. The event also has representation from law enforcement, public health and other...
Read MoreBy Richard K. Blackwell Recently, many area residents may have heard that Oconee has created a “tourism/destination marketing strategy” with the purpose to not only showcase the natural assets of our county, but to build upon them. Numerous one-on-one interviews, committee meetings and public presentations were conducted...
Read MoreOn Thursday, August 6, the Oconee Economic Alliance (OEA) hosted their annual Birdies & BBQ Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament at Cross Creek Plantation in Seneca. Cross Creek Plantation is a superb championship 18-hole golf course designed by nationally-known golf course designer P.B. Dye. “Cross Creek has...
Read MoreBy Richard K. Blackwell Benjamin Franklin once said that an investment in knowledge pays the best kind of interest. That thinking is why representatives from the Oconee Economic Alliance, School District of Oconee County, the Hamilton Career Center and Apprenticeship Carolina have joined forces to create a...
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by Richard K. Blackwell The Oconee Economic Alliance has taken great strides to keep Oconee County on track for its five-year strategic economic development plan. Oconee County has specifically improved the link between education and career readiness, as well economic growth as a whole, and these efforts...
Read MoreYour Oconee Economic Alliance has directly increased economic development opportunities in Oconee County in the past thirty-six months as evidenced with $150 million in newly announced capital investments and over 800 new jobs coming on-line. How have we done this? How have we added jobs and...
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