The state's top tourism official says as many as 1400 jobs could be coming to Oconee County. Plans are moving forward to build a long-awaited resort, named Sanctuary Pointe, along the I-85 corridor and Lake Hartwell, near the Georgia line.
Fair Play Realtor Bob Brown of Lake and Land Realty says, “It (Sanctuary Pointe) seems to be a pretty well kept secret right now.”
Brown says, “We don't know when it's going to happen. I don't know if anybody does, but we're ready.”
Brown has been waiting for a business boost, and he could find it from the planned resort which would be built on more than 300 acres. The SC Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Director Duane Parrish says plans for Sanctuary Pointe include a hotel, marina, conference center, restaurant, and golf courses.
Brown says, “They're talking a lot of jobs…”
Parrish says Sanctuary Pointe could bring between 400 and 1400 jobs. Parrish says, “There are two segments to that. One is the temporary jobs...and that involves everything from architects to engineers, construction and the like to the infrastructure and construction of the actual project, and once it's completed, the permanent jobs in the hospitality industry.”
The project has been in the works since 2008. 7 On Your Side pressed Parrish to find out when we would start to see results. Parrish says by spring, the tourism department hopes to have a lease agreement signed with developers and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the land. From there, Parrish says it's hard to predict how long it will take to break ground.
Tourism officials are hoping the proximity to the interstate will be a big draw for the resort and bring in people travelling from Atlanta to Charlotte.
Brown says, “We hope it happens. We're ready for it to happen.” And he hopes it happens soon to spur his business and bring jobs to the Upstate.
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