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Oconee Alliance
502 E. Main Street
Walhalla, S.C. 29691

Phone: 864-718-1077
e-mail: jgadd@oconeesc.com

Executive Director
James R. “Jim” Gadd


   

OCONEE BY CHOICE: 20 YEAR VISION

The Oconee Alliance with its many supporters and friends has worked to create a 20 year Vision for Oconee County, Oconee By Choice 2028. The effort to collect input from the citizens of Oconee County was multifaceted and encompassed the following collections methods:
1)      Focus Groups
2)      Interviews
3)      Town Hall Meetings
4)      Through the Internet – utilizing the oconeebychoice.com website.
5)      Brochures distributed to strategic locations throughout the County
The face-to-face meetings which included focus groups, interviews and town hall meetings concluded October 12, 2007.  Input from written responses which included e-mails, internet and letters, concluded December 31, 2007.
The Vision Plan is complete and implementation has begun. Areas of focus are: improving wellness, increasing the high school graduation rate, conserving our natural resources, improving signage to direct people to attractions such as trails, waterfalls, historic areas, etc., and increasing tourism to improve the economy in Oconee County.
 
 
TOURISM
 
The Oconee Alliance, as part of its ongoing mission to improve the economy and to improve the quality of life in our county, created a Task Force to evaluate how tourists can be attracted to our area. There is little doubt that the natural beauty of Oconee County is paramount in this geographical region, but making potential visitors aware of these natural resources is required. A marketing campaign will feature the unique assets of this County in such a way as to help attract visitors and to therby increase tourism.  These efforts will result in better visibility for the County and increased economic opportunities for the County as a whole. The Executive Director of the Mountain Lakes Convention and Visitors Bureau is Mr. Ken Sloan (864-380-3976).