Lot Sales
On Saturday November 3, US Land launched its first sale directly to the public. Over 30 lots were sold, ranging in price from $39,900 to $179,000, according to spokesperson Meagan Cameron. This initial sales of 30 lots will be followed by a second release of lots in February, 2008. There are no construction deadlines. Call 800-831-LAKE to make a reservation for a personal tour.
The majority of the 30 lots sold during the November 3, one-day only sale, at The Sanctuary at Lake Russell were purchased by Georgia customers, according to spokesperson Megan Cameron. In addition, three were from South Carolina, one from Texas and one from California.
“Go Ahead” Secured for Lake Russell Project
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Representative Gresham Barrett have secured final Congressional approval for a long-delayed development project at Lake Russell.
Last night, the Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2007(WRDA). The legislation instructs the federal government to sell approximately 600 acres of land around Lake Russell to the state of South Carolina. The land will be combined with other state held lands and developed to include a hotel, conference center, marina and housing. The development will create jobs and spur growth in an economically-depressed area.
“This project represents the economic development model of the future,” said Graham. “A public-private venture that will respect the area’s environment while bringing a much needed economic boost to the region. I want to thank Gresham Barrett for his leadership in shepherding this through the House. I look forward to seeing this project through to its completion. It’s been in the works for about a decade and I’m glad we are finally getting close to moving this project forward.”
“I am glad to see the Lake Russell project come successfully through the House and the Senate, putting a partnership in place that is a win-win for everyone,” said Congressman Barrett. “I appreciate the efforts by Senator Graham to ensure this project was included in the final legislation. With each step we move closer to a successful conclusion. This project has been a long time coming – it will bring economic development to the region and the state while ensuring Lake Russell is protected and preserved in its natural state.”
WRDA was passed by the House of Representatives in August.
Lake Russell Project Clears Another Hurdle
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Included in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), H.R. 1495, conference report which passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday, August 1, was language to authorize a land swap between the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the state of South Carolina, according to a press release from Rep. Gresham Barrett. The language will enable certain phases of the Lake Russell development project to move forward, successfully completing efforts that have been ongoing for over a decade by the local community and business leaders, as well as state and federal officials.
“This is good news for Abbeville County. Hopefully with the completion of this project the county will be able to use the lake for economic development purposes, while still protecting the tranquility of the lake that so many of us enjoy,” said Congressman Barrett.
Removing the obstacles in place for decades preventing economic development on Lake Russell continues to be a collaborative effort on the part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, federal, state and local officials. The WRDA conference report now heads to the Senate for consideration. It is unclear whether the Senate plans to take up the legislation before the August break.
Sanctuary Opens
by Lee Boggs
Over 10 percent of the first round of lots in the Sanctuary at Lake Russell in Calhoun Falls have either sold or are under contract, according to Stephen Rosenburgh of US Land.
During the grand opening ceremony Saturday, June 2, Rosenburgh said three of the 80 lots have sold, and six are under contract, he said. All are within Calhoun Falls town limits, he said.
Eventually, 300 of the 1,836 lots, ranging between $60,000-$240,000, will be within town limits, he said.
Property owners will have the option of buying a US Land home or building their own, with building plans approved by US Land.
Guest speakers included Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. John Drummond, Rep. Gresham Barrett, and representatives with Erskine, the Parks Department, and US Land. A common thread throughout the speeches was that Calhoun Falls' economy is in the process of transforming from manufacturing to tourism.
Chad Prosser, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said South Carolina tourism is a $14.6 billion industry.
Tourism, unlike textiles, doesn't have to compete with other countries, he said.
"We're building an economy and jobs around natural resources, like the park in Calhoun Falls, that can't be taken away," he said.
Tourism "is the state's largest export, one of its largest employers, and continues to be a a fast-growing industry," according to Prosser's webpage. Rosenberg said that the state's tourism advertising budget, controlled by the S.C. Department of Commerce, will increase 100 percent this fiscal year.
Erskine College's two centers within the Sanctuary, a nature/biological educational center, and the John W. Drummond Center for Statesmanship, will be open within six to nine months, Jay West said, bringing in visitors for classes, field trips and conferences.
Graham said that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gained control of the land surrounding Lake Russell 30 years ago with the agreement that the state would be allowed to develop it economically. The Corps, however, was slow to uphold its end of the agreement, he said.