Author: Dick Mangrum

  The clearing of trees to make room for Oconee’s Workforce Development Center has changed the landscape of the Information and Technology Park on highway 11.  Richard Blackwell of the Economic Alliance showed pictures this morning of the moving of what is to be one million cubic yards of dirt to shape the property for the Tri-County Tech campus, the […]

Expansions planned by Jantzen, Itron, and Schneider Electric in Oconee mean new jobs and greater economic investment in Oconee County.  Employers who are hiring are shrinking the Oconee County jobless rate.  As economic development recruiter Richard Blackwell was describing Oconee’s jobless rate at 4%–regarded as, in effect, a fully-employed workforce—the state was announcing new unemployment numbers.  For Oconee, in April, […]

A Casto company official identified five stores for which there is agreement to build in Hartwell Village.  Tom Lowell of Casto’s Raleigh, North Carolina office told a meeting this morning at the Hamilton Career Center that stores secured so far are Michael’s, Marshall’s, Ulta, 5 Below, and Rack Room Shoes.  But Lowell hints at more to come, as well as […]

Area law enforcement officers will be treated to lunch today at the BorgWarner Automotive plant at Seneca—as part of the nationwide Law Enforcement Appreciation Week.  They’ll get a tour of the manufactring plant that supplies major carmakers.  

  After the next nationwide census, in 2020, the Seneca area may become slotted into what today is “GPATS”—the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation organization.  If that happens, it’s likely a reflection of the changes that are taking place in the Seneca area, especially near Clemson, that reflect more residents, more traffic, and more development.  Ed Halbig, Seneca’s planning and community development […]

Blue Ridge Bank seeks to fill the void that First Citizens will create next week in Westminster.  According to a newspaper legal ad, Blue Ridge has asked the FDIC to be allowed to open a branch office at 200 W. Windsor Street.  In a notice to First Citizens customers, area executive Chuck Perry said, “After carefully and thoroughly evaluating the […]

  During an annual luncheon, the Seneca Rotary Club recognized the top academic achievers in grades six through twelve in the Seneca public schools.  And, by offering cash awards to graduating seniors, the club meets the purpose and intent of its program by encouraging students to strive for academic excellence each year.  The following five gradating Seneca seniors shared in […]

Lawyers have shed their suit jackets today in the stuffy 4th floor courtroom at the Oconee Courthouse in Walhalla.  An air conditioning system failure means no air conditioning, and the immediate question that arises is whether the county will be able to have the system repaired or whether it will face a bill of having to replace the A-C.   […]

Governor Henry McMaster is among leaders who today are extending official thanks to Itron for the manufacturer’s decision to add 100 jobs to its complex on highway 11 at West Union.  Word has been confirmed that Itron is moving its natural gas meter line from Kentucky to its West Union location.  An $8 million investment of new capital is planned.  […]

A jury was prepared to hear testimony, but an Oconee County criminal court defendant decided to plead guilty.  The plea, from Jeremy Stephen Black, to a pair of charges yesterday brought a sentence of three years in prison, suspended to one year and one year probation.  Black pleaded guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle and distribution, possession with intent […]