Agri-Business Plan Being Developed

PENDLETON, SC – The Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation (TCEDC), Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Division and area economic developers are reaching out to agricultural-based businesses (“Agri-Businesses”) in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties.

The project will start with a thorough evaluation of Agri-Businesses in the tri-county area with the goal of defining the industry, determining the needs of these businesses, developing a formal strategy for growing those that already exist, and for promoting the growth of more Agri-Businesses. The result will include the development of a comprehensive plan for Agri-Business, along with an evaluation of a public-use DHEC-approved industrial kitchen.

“We will be focused upon the tri-county area, but will take into account other regional efforts, as other agri-based initiatives dovetail into this project with the introduction and emphasis of ‘locally produced’ food resources in the Upstate,” said Dave Eldridge, chair of the TCEDC.  “With financial support of a recently awarded planning grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), we will be working together to develop this plan of action.”

According to Richard Blackwell, executive director of the Oconee Economic Alliance and TCEDC board member, beginning in January 2015, the identified Agri-Businesses will be given an opportunity to provide input into this plan, and the plan will be submitted for their review and approval prior to moving forward.

“Developing this Agri-Business targeted plan is about connecting businesses with resources, to new markets, new technology, and the development of new products to show real economic growth for this segment,” said Eldridge.

For more information or to participate in this initiative, call Teresa Young at (864) 646-2031.