The equine tourism initiative began about two years ago. Anderson County jumped right in and held a meeting in December with about 30 horse owners and experts to build interest. Next, a planning meeting was hosted at the Anderson Civic Center in January with about 50 horse owners and others involved in the equine industry.
On Jan. 28, those interested met with the state’s Agricultural Commissioner Hugh Weathers to discuss the idea with him and talk about grant money that could be used for the project.
An unofficial working plan has been developed and a grant application for about $200,000 from the state’s recreational trail fund is in the works.
“We are applying for a grant for a parking area,” Jim Capaldi, who represents Pickens County, told members of Vision 2025 Sense of Place last week. “Eventually there will be a cross county course put in which will draw people in.”
Gerald Sweitzer, Vision 2025 Past Chairman, said Pickens County Administrator Chappell Hurst is behind this movement completely.
“Where do we stand now? We are applying for the grant which must be turned in by the middle of March,” Capaldi said.
Sweitzer said the next step is to get state legislators and people in the community involved in this development.
“The facilities here are the best you can get,” he said. “We are second in the state behind Aiken for horses and they having a booming horse business going. Why can’t we? There is very little that needs to be built. We already have the facilities.”
Sweitzer said there were about 100 people at the last meeting, which means people are interested.
Look for future updates on the Equestrian Initiative in The Easley Progress or online at www.theeasleyprogress.com.
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