To get jobs “product” a must

Oconee County councilmen are stressing the importance for the county to have product ready if it ever is going to make strides in the job gain. As Councilman Paul Corbeil put it last night, it’s one thing to have the real estate available for an interested industry, but the key is to “have the pad ready.” One of the early questions during last night’s town hall meeting pertained to the county’s efforts to develop industrial parks, including Golden Corner, Echo Hills, and the Seneca Rail Site, the former Pro Pex building. Council Chairman Joel Thrift and District Two Councilman Wayne McCall last night stressed the importance of rail as a way to get finished product to port. And McCall announced he’s going to be part of a meeting today with railroad officials, West Union Mayor Linda Oliver, and County Economic Development Director Richard Blackwell.