We often hear about how decisions being made today will impact the future of the Upstate, but at a recent ribbon cutting in Laurens County I was struck by how decisions from 50 years ago have enabled current actions and ultimately the positive impacts for the future.
Not only is the new Lake Greenwood Water Treatment Facility built by the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission the largest one-time infrastructure investment in the 50-year history of the organization, it has the capability of treating three times the current water demand with potential of expansion to up to nine times current demand.
When local leaders created the Laurens rural water authority in 1972, the immediate need was to provide safe and stable water supply for residents in the rural parts of Laurens County. Tapping into two of the largest local water sources, the Saluda and Reedy rivers (both of which are the main tributaries for Lake Greenwood) was little more than a pipe dream.
However, without that initial partnership 50 years ago and the subsequent growth of the LCWSC, the new $29 million dollar project would never have been possible.
Similarly, now that the LCWSC has greater capacity, that means not only can it provide a stable water source for current residents, but also capacity for expansion that supports economic development, job growth and quality of life for Laurens County and surrounding areas for many years to come.
As we continue discussions today across the Upstate to help ensure future success for the region, it is important to recognize that today’s leaders are rising on the shoulders of those who have come before. I have been awestruck many times by the foresight of past Upstate leaders as they clearly understood that they needed to make foundational investments to allow for future growth and success.
Moving forward, today’s leaders are tasked with building on that foundation, knowing that the decisions they are making will continue to impact the success of the Upstate for future generations.
Dean Hybl is executive director of Ten at the Top, an organization focused on building collaborative partnerships across the Upstate on issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life in the region. You can learn more about Ten at the Top at www.tenatthetop.org.
