Governor Sonny Perdue (r) visited Lincoln County Wednesday, August 23, to meet with members of the Clark's Hill Lake Partnership of Georgia. The governor is pictured here with Congressman Charlie Norwood and Harrison Weller of Atlanta. Harrison is the grandson of Bill and Alana Burke of Lincolnton. Governor Sonny Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue visited Lincoln County Wednesday, August 23, to meet with members of the Clark's Hill Lake Partnership of Georgia.

Established in 2005, the goal of the regional partnership is to promote economic development by encouraging industrial development and the creation of jobs, marketing attendant tourism and developing new tourist attractions, supporting recreational opportunities, expanding and upgrading infrastructure, and enhancing transportation services in each of its member counties.

The counties feel the partnership will create a favorable environment for industrial development, trade, commerce, and residential development in the Clark's Hill Lake region.

Spearheaded by State Senator Jim Whitehead, the partnership is comprised of Lincoln, Wilkes, Columbia, Warren, and McDuffie counties.

During his visit to Lincoln County, Governor Sonny Perdue (l) posed for the camera with County Commission Chairman Walker Norman. After arriving by helicopter at Elijah Clark State Park, the governor and other guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch with all of the trimmings.

Lunch was following by a brief program, featuring remarks by Governor Perdue. Referring to the counties that make

up the partnership, the governor said, "This is an important part of the state. Clark's Hill Lake is a wonderful natural resource."

He went on to note that the Clark's Hill Lake Partnership of Georgia is an example of the kind of partnerships the state is looking for. "I congratulate you all for having the vision to come together. It's important that we share our resources. We want this part of Georgia to be a place where dreams come true for our children and grandchildren."

Also during the program, Bob Knox, mayor of Thomson and chairman of the partnership's board of directors, outlined the projects the partnership is supporting in each of the individual counties. These included:

Lincoln County - Building a resort/ conference center near Elijah Clark Park and locating occupants for the industrial park.

Wilkes County - Heritage tourism projects and expanding Highway 17 to four lanes.

Columbia County - The formation of a convention and visitors bureau.

McDuffie County - Expansion of the airport runway. Warren County - Water system

expansion and the construction of a frontage road along I-20 between the Camak and Norwood exits. The road will facilitate the development of a regional industrial park.

Others taking part in the program were Ninth District Congressman Charlie Norwood; State Representative Barry Fleming; Senator Whitehead; Lincolnton Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff; Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; and Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority.

At the conclusion of the program, Burke gave Governor Perdue a windshirt sporting a Lincoln County logo and presented the first lady with a collection of Lincoln County cookbooks. She then thanked the couple for taking the time to visit the county.

Among the other guests at the luncheon were local leaders from Lincoln and the surrounding counties; members of United State Senator Johnny Isakson's staff; and representatives from such statewide organizations as the Georgia Power Company, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Approximately 80 people attended the luncheon.

Following the meeting, Senator Whitehead said, "I am honored that Governor Perdue would make the trip to Lincoln County to meet with our partnership, which we're very proud of. It is evident that he loves what we're doing and wants to get other parts of the state to go in the same direction. "It is a joy to see counties work together both as individuals and for the betterment of the partnership," the senator continued. "A lot of economic development as well as projects designed to enhance quality of life will come out of this partnership. It's really exciting."

In her comments, Alana Burke stated, "I enjoyed having time with Governor and Mrs. Perdue to discuss issues and things of interest not only to Lincoln County but to other members of the partnership as well. I believe we showed the governor and other state leaders that five counties can work together across county lines for the benefit of each community and the area as a whole. It was a good day."

Governor Perdue's meeting with the partnership marked the first time a governor has visited Lincoln County in an official capacity since Governor Joe Frank Harris was in office.