Why is an Oconee County Conservation Bank needed?
The special places that make Oconee County the true “golden corner” of South Carolina are under grave threat. According to a growth projection study recently completed by Dr. Craig Campbell and the Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University, the amount of developed land in Oconee County will increase from 13,900 acres in 1990 to 124,139 acres in 2030 if current trends continue-a staggering increase of nearly 900% in only 40 years! An Oconee County Conservation Bank would ensure that many of the county’s special places are protected before it is too late. Often the owners of these places cannot permanently protect them without some financial assistance. In recent years, the South Carolina Conservation Bank has provided this assistance for important projects in Oconee County, but because of the economic crisis, the State Bank currently has no funding for new projects. But even when it is back in operation, it receives only $15 to $18 million per year for the entire state. It is clear
