Governor's honor will help regional efforts

February 16, 2005

It’s not every day the governor comes to town.

But today is that day in Anderson.

We’re pleased South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will be in our midst today, and not just for what we’re sure will be a well-spoken and thoughtful endorsement of volunteerism and call to leadership when he speaks to more than 400 people at our annual Pointing the Way luncheon.

We believe it will also be a good time to thank him in person for honoring Anderson County with the state’s top tourism award for promotion to the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center.

The Governor’s Cup, an annual award from the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, goes to the organization that has made a significant impact on the economy as it relates to tourism.

In 2004, according to our report of the award in the Feb. 3 edition, the facility held more than 300 special events and brought an estimated 700,000 visitors, "creating an economic impact estimated at $18.3 million" according to the county’s application for the recognition.

This is the first time an Upstate entity has received the award since 1994, when it went to the Palmetto Expo Center in Greenville. Other past winners put us in good company: The Newberry Opera House Foundation, Charleston Area Convention Center Complex, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, to name a few.

This is also the first time the county has made an application for the award, another cause for pride, to have won in its initial foray into statewide recognition.

Events that have brought all those people to the area, to stay in our lodging facilities, to eat in our restaurants and to spend their money in our retail establishments include Freedom Weekend Aloft and the U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championships and late last year, for the first time, the Special Olympics South Carolina fall state games.

Dozens of concerts, rock, country and gospel, sporting tournaments and community events have found a home at the 337-acre sports and entertainment complex, which reached its present status in 1999 as the county added five softball and baseball fields, three soccer fields, eight lighted tennis courts and the 13,000-capacity William A. Floyd Amphitheater.

All this was in addition to the facility in which today the governor of South Carolina will speak. It’s only proper that he see for himself what Anderson has to offer in the way of a venue for a variety of events and entertainment.

Tourism is our state’s biggest money-maker and its largest employer, keeping thousands of South Carolinians at work. Our civic center and the Sports and Entertainment Center contribute to making tourism a viable economic boost for the Upstate region. Now, with a revitalized Convention and Visitors Bureau leading the way, we expect even more people will discover Anderson and what it can offer both the day-trip visitors or those who choose to spend a leisurely weekend with us.

Our sincere welcome to our governor for taking time from his schedule to help us honor all the many members of our communities who contribute their vision and time to improve our quality of life, especially those selected as our 2005 Pointing the Way award winners.

Copyright 2005, Anderson Independent Mail. All Rights Reserved.