Economic vitality signs in former textile village

A government-designated opportunity zone has begun to show some signs of new economic vitality in a small Oconee County community that, to some, is forgotten.  The closing of Newry’s major textile employer 46 years ago, to a great extent, struck at the heart of a village where people lived, worked, and shopped.  Now, however, a Greenville-based development group, taking advantage of federal tax incentives to re-develop low income areas will build apartments, a store, and likely see to it that a small post office is expanded.  Helping champion the Newry transformation is a Keowee community resident Fud Cater, who grew up in Newry and can remember living in at least four homes there.  Triangle Construction, on behalf of the Peters Group, has begun construction.  The plans are ambitious:  nearly 200 apartment units, some of which will be located in the former textile plant building; a grocery store, café’, event venue, and an expanded post office.  Rubbing up against the construction zone are backwaters of Lake Hartwell, which could hold out the possibility for nature trails and a kayak input.