Economic Alliance holds forum

An official of the South Carolina State Ports Authority drops anchor tomorrow morning in Oconee County, to make a presentation on how the authority is working to compete in today’s global economy and the importance of a new “inland port” in Greer. Jack Ellenburg, senior vice president of economic development and projects, is guest speaker for tomorrow’s 8 a-m Oconee Economic Alliance business forum at Thrift Development near Seneca. The public is invited. Richard Blackwell, executive director of the Oconee Alliance, predicts there will be an update on the dredging project to allow the Charleston Harbor to accommodate larger boats and vessels. And Blackwell expects Ellenburg will try to illustrate how an Oconee County manufacturer based at the Seneca Rail Site industrial park can use the rails to transport goods to the inland port in Greer which, in turn, will relay the goods to coastal ports. The state operates ports in Charleston, Jasper, and Georgetown counties.