Cleve Dowell/Clarendon Citizen
Development Board adds to arsenal
The Clarendon County Development Board recently launched a new tool in its marketing efforts for the county’s industrial prospects.
A new website, at www.clarendoncountyusa.com, went live in January of this year.
According to John Truluck, executive director of the Development Board, the site has already logged more than 31,000 hits from 2,555 unique visitors in 25 different countries.
Additionally, the agency has developed a “micro-site,” at www.I95buildings.com to promote the county’s available buildings. Presently that site is promoting the former Yanagawa and LBT Stainless sites.
The website will allow viewers to search databases for demographic information and available sites and buildings, view an interactive map of the county and gather specific information about the proposed I-95/527 mega site planned for the northern end of the county.
Perhaps the most exciting feature of the website is a short testimonial film from leaders in local industries and businesses.
The film features Chris Drose, site manager of the ArvinMeritor plant, Jeffrey Black, owner of Black Sheep Reputations and Kay Finley, human resources director at Trimaco.
The five-minute film also highlights Clarendon’s access to I-95 and the Port of Charleston, its workforce and the education opportunities that industries may be seeking when looking for specialized workers.
In addition to its marketing efforts via the new website, the Development Board works with the Central SC Alliance which also promotes industrial opportunities in Clarendon County, as does two of the state’s largest utility providers, Santee Electric and Progress Energy.
“Economic development in South Carolina is both challenging and competitive, especially for rural counties,” said County Council Chair Dwight Stewart. “Practically each of the 46 counties in our state has at least one industrial park. Those of us in rural counties must take advantage of our strengths and Clarendon County has done that.”
The Clarendon County Development Board is an extension of the Clarendon County Council, and has been designated to devote its full time efforts to economic development. The Board has a volunteer advisory board that is appointed by the Clarendon County Council, both to assist the director and to make recommendations to the County Council. Each council district is represented on the advisory board.
