Laurens County Breaks Ground on Agricultural Center as a Beacon of Agricultural Innovation
August 16, 2023The groundbreaking ceremony for the Laurens County Agricultural Center took place Saturday, August 12.
The event was well attended showing support for the initiative from the farming community and business leaders.
The vision for the new Ag Center is that it will become the hub for agricultural activities. It is estimated that construction will take 24 months.
“I was proud to see a strong turnout at the groundbreaking Saturday morning. There were people from multiple agricultural organizations across the county, as well as a good group of students from the FFA programs in our high schools. The occasion was monumental, the creation of a County agricultural center will not only provide opportunities for Laurens citizens, it will bring in solid tourism from people through the state and southeast region. Once completed the Laurens County Agricultural Center will be shining example for all of South Carolina for what can be accomplished when we value our number one business category. I look for to the opening of the facility and the use for many generations to come,” said County Council Chairman Brown Patterson.
At the heart of this endeavor lies the commitment to create a multi-faceted venue that serves as an epicenter for agricultural excellence within Laurens County. The new Ag Center will also become the home for Clemson Extension services.
“Agriculture defines Laurens County, and it was this particular project and the efforts from the agricultural community that pushed the penny sales tax over the finish line to pave the way for this great facility. While the world is becoming more divided, our community at large was able to come together to invest in this center that will benefit not only current, but future generations. When I go to QT and see the license plates from Ohio, New York and New Jersey and people walking out with both hands full of goods, I just smile because their purchases are helping to make these projects a reality,” said Bobby Smith, member of the Capital Sales Tax Initiative Committee.
The Ag Center, as designed will have the capacity to host a wide spectrum of events, ranging from educational agricultural expos to elegant banquets, exhilarating equestrian shows, captivating flower exhibitions, and even concerts. The Ag Center is conceptualized with versatility in mind, ensuring it can cater to both grand-scale events, rivalling those held at the renowned Heritage Park Amphitheater, and more intimate gatherings such as corporate functions.
The Laurens County Ag Center is one of the projects that was approved and will be funded by the Capital Sales Tax initiative.