Alliance directors told economic development additions on the way

The hottest potential economic development projects for Oconee remain code-named until the final details are decided, but the board  for the county’s Economic Alliance  received assurance from its executive director today that at least two of the six are assured.  For general public information, the two are called “Hawk” and “Laser.”  Incentive inducements are being worked out at the county council level, but both Richard Blackwell of the Alliance and County Administrator Scott Moulder are projecting announcements by the end of the year.  In the case of “Project Laser,” Blackwell said while on an Upstate Alliance recruitment trip to Charlotte, North Carolina he received word at a dinner that the company had chosen Oconee to add a new business line.  Oconee had competed with Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri for that expansion.  Blackwell also said that next week top officials of a Chinese company will visit Oconee.  The county is said to be a finalist for a new manufacturing project by the company, referred to as “Project River Bed.”