Hartman talks combining economic development offices

Exploratory efforts are underway to open a second incubator for start-up businesses in Oconee County. One such business development center exists in Walhalla but, of late, the thinking is there’s a need for a second. And that one should be on the eastern side of Oconee, approaching Clemson University, to take advantage of the opportunities that a major university can offer an adjoining county. Janet Hartman, interim executive director of the Oconee Economic Alliance, told a meeting Friday that, at the direction of the County Council, a location is being pursued. “We feel there’s a real opportunity with the Clemson environment,” she said in her report to the alliance board of directors. As Hartman sees it, a building that would house Oconee’s second incubator for small start-up businesses could also serve as a new home for the economic alliance offices.