By Tom Coley,
Co-Chairperson for Georgia

After several weeks of careful analysis and deliberation, the scope of work for the economic impact study has been formulated and is ready for imple-mentation. This was accomplished through the joint collaboration of the US Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Division, The Strom

Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs, and members of the Lake Hartwell Chamber and Municipal Coalition, (The Coalition) along with other stake holders in the upper Savannah River basin. Our next step is the “funding phase.” Our goal is to raise $100,000 for Phase I of the study and up to that same amount for Phase II of the study. This will match up with the USACE’s “in kind” contribution as the study moves

forward. Members of the Coalition have made presentations to city and county governments in both Georgia and South Carolina requesting funds from each of the six counties based on their proportional amount of Lake Shoreline. Also, other stake holders in the area will have an opportunity to contribute to the study. At the time of this writing, on the South Carolina side, Oconee County has made a generous

commitment and Anderson County is considering the proposal. Pickens County is scheduled to hear the presentation at their next county council meeting. On the Georgia side, Hart County Commissioners have graciously stepped up with their prorated share of the commitment and Stephens County has the proposal under consideration.