Utica is changing more than we knew

Amanda Brock gives credit to Scott Moulder and Robert W. Faires III for shining a light on a community where crime is a problem and where several homes have fallen into disrepair.  Brock says Utica community at the edge of Seneca is one of the rare spots in Oconee County where there are paved sidewalks outside a municipality.  As the result of what nature wrought in April 2020—the EF3 tornado—underbrush tree maintenance and the improved street lighting installed by the city of Seneca, Brock says you can now stand at Utica’s Ann Hope United Methodist Church and see the large Borg Warner plant miles away on the Wells Highway.  Improved lighting has the effect of tamping down criminal behavior.  Preceding the brighter streetlights, Brock says a walking tour of Utica was conducted at nighttime, along with interviews of residents there determined to fix their homes after the tornado damage.  One spot to which law enforcement frequently was needed was a large, old trailer park which Brock told Seneca Rotarians is now under new ownership.  From a federal tax advantage standpoint, Utica Community is considered an opportunity zone.  When asked by 101.7/WGOG NEWS if any large-sized development companies had made inquiries about Utica re-development, Brock replied that potential economic development possibilities are not to be spoken about publicly, but she left her audience with the impression that there has been an approach.