Fountain to be installed across from courthouse

Lincoln County officials recently announced that a "Friendship Fountain" will be installed across the street from the courthouse.

The fountain is being paid for with donations from the private sector. The funds will also cover the cost of landscaping around the fountain.

"It will be a beautiful fountain and a nice addition to the government complex," stated Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners.

The county plans to have the fountain operational in time for the much anticipated visit by a delegation from China's Xiuzhou District, Lincoln County's sister community.

In March of 2006, representatives from Lincoln County and the State of Georgia visited the Xiuzhou District and took part in a formal ceremony designating the district and the county as sister communities.

A reciprocal ceremony will be held in Lincolnton in late October.

As a result of the relationship between the two communities, Hero Metal Furniture Company, based in Jaixing City, China, is opening a distribution center in Lincoln County.

In her comments, Alana Burke, executive director of the Lincoln County Development Authority, said, "The purpose of the Friendship Community program is to promote good will and communication between communities with a common goal such as economic development, which can result in the creation of jobs for our community. It is a means for our local community to make a long-term impact for change by promoting capitalism, economic opportunity, and freedom."

The county will hold a dedication ceremony for the Friendship Fountain soon after its completion. It will be dedicated to friendships forged by Lincoln County with other counties, states, and nations.