COLUMBIA, S.C. – Michelle McCollum, executive director of the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, flanked by the members of Duke Energy and South Carolina Department of Transportation, State Senate and the University of South Carolina Sloan Institute along with members of the legislature announced a $50,000 grant to create a comprehensive management, development and marketing of SC’s National Scenic Byways.

South Carolina has 4 National scenic byways and 17 State scenic byways, covering collectively over 400 miles of South Carolina roads.  The design of this project leads visitors to not only one highway, but to the surrounding communities which will increase tourism for the entire state, according to Heritage Corridor sources. For more information on the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor visit www.thesctraveler.com.

Edgefield County’s connection to the scenic byway plan is through the Savannah River Scenic Byway, one of 4 National Byways which does not come into Edgefield County directly, but does follow Highway 28. This highway runs in McCormick County from McCormick to Parksville, Modoc, Clarks Hill and ends at the Savannah River. There is a possibility that persons traveling Highway 28 may wish to come into Edgefield County. To know more, see http://byways.org/explore/byways/2162/travel.html

“2013 will be a year of creating baseline economic development research, building coalitions and setting the stage for marketing SC as an international destination for outdoor recreation,” said Michelle McCollum. “South Carolina has so many assets in this arena, and there are thousands of people working every day to make sure our natural resources are protected and enjoyed. The scenic byway plan will fill the need for an overarching strategy to promote not only these resources, but the surrounding communities as well.”

George Acker, Regional Director of Duke Energy, was on hand to deliver the details about the grant to the many benefactors of the study. “This campaign will market SC as an Outdoor Recreation destination impacting and ultimately influencing the communities, residents of South Carolina we so proudly serve,” said Mr. Acker.

Senator Thomas Alexander of Oconee also delivered remarks as many legislators and commissioners were in attendance to gather information on the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor program to better serve their constituents, businesses and communities who will ultimately benefit from findings of the study.

Department of Agriculture’s Hugh Weathers, Sloan Foundation’s Dr. Rich Harrill and South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission Chairman Eddie Adams were on hand at the press conference to herald the collaboration of the productive partnerships that exist to ensure that our citizens and the businesses working with the South Carolina Heritage Corridor in tourism hubs can maximize their resources following the results of this study.

South Carolina has 4 National scenic byways and 17 State scenic byways, covering collectively over 400 miles of South Carolina roads. For more information on the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor visit www.thesctraveler.com.