GREETINGS FROM Pageland, South Carolina.
It’s a simple message, beautifully depicted in a new downtown mural. But it means so much more. It represents the spirit of Pageland—welcoming, friendly, creative and full of partners with a vision to be better.
Lynches River Electric is proud to be one of those partners.
We knew Pageland was a great candidate for a Touchstone Energy Main Street Makeover project. The mural was one of several projects we submitted as part of a nationwide contest with the intent of spurring community development and economic growth.
When the mural was dedicated at the Watermelon Festival in July, it was validation of the potential that exists in all the communities we serve. Growth from Charlotte is spreading towards us, and it is important that Lynches River Electric is invested in that future.
Community development, economic growth and improving quality of life also are why we are bringing our neighbors RiverNet Connect, the fiber internet subsidiary of Lynches River Electric Cooperative. We believe every one of our members should have access to the same quality internet as people living in Charlotte or Columbia. Our goal is to provide world-class internet to everyone.
At first, this initiative will be available to Lynches River Electric-served homes and businesses. But it promises to benefit all the communities and citizens in Lancaster, Kershaw and Chesterfield counties. Broadband availability helps create new jobs, businesses and industries. It strengthens the local workforce, enhances the educational infrastructure and even has health benefits.
It is for the benefit of our communities that Lynches River Electric has programs like Operation Round Up, The LIGHT Foundation, and WIRE, which help our neighbors in need. It’s why we support organizations like Chesterfield County First Steps, Kershaw Area Resource Exchange and HOPE in Lancaster County, just to name a few. It is why our employees serve on nonprofit boards, chambers of commerce and government councils, volunteer as coaches, give blood and donate to those in need.
I’ll have to admit, when I look at the “Greetings from Pageland” mural, my eyes gravitate to the block “L” in Pageland. It is filled with a partial depiction of a power pole and lines. All the letters and artwork depict important aspects of the community, like our timber and metal work industries, our airport and train tracks, the iconic water tower and town clock and watermelons.
I like to think that it is more than a coincidence that the “L” is central in the mural. I don’t mean that Lynches River Electric is more important than any other community entities. But, I believe part of Lynches River Electric’s role is to do more than connect power to electric meters.
As the local electric cooperative, we have the privilege of having many diverse community partnerships including chambers of commerce, non-profits and local industry. So, we have a responsibility to make the most of those connections and empower all our communities toward a better future.
When it all comes together, it’s a beautiful sight to behold.
President & CEO