Oconee hosts potential investor from the UAE

The feeling from a luncheon today near Seneca is that a presentation to a potential investor from United Arab Emirates went well—from the standpoint of both the investor and Oconee County.  Oconee realtor Dan Rankin is given credit for helping put together an opportunity for county leaders to help sell the county as a potential landing spot for an investment by the UAE visitor’s company in his home country, located at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula.  The UAE visitor explained his company’s interest falls in the emerging field of renewable energy resources, especially solar power generation.  To that end, he received the Oconee Economic Alliance’s packet “Welcome to Oconee County, SC” which explains the advantages to industry in locating in the Golden Corner, its proximity to Interstate-85 and its location as a midpoint of the Atlanta-Charlotte corridor.  He asked questions and received answers from Annie Caggiano of the county Economic Alliance and from Amanda Brock, county administrator about infrastructure and property availability.  The UAE visitor is already impressed with Oconee’s natural resources, having enjoyed a catered lunch while seated in the South Cove County Park with its panoramic view of Lake Keowee.  Afterward, the group planned a visit to one of the county’s industrial parks.  There is to be email and, possibly, a Zoom meeting follow-up between the two parties, with a promise from Brock and Caggiano that the UAE company—and its engineers—will be supplied with specific property information that can be used to help in making a decision whether to invest.