ALLENDALE, S.C. - The Allendale County Chamber of Commerce has hired a new executive director.

Kathleen Marie Myers, a Pennsylvania native raised in Hampton County since the age of 12, is ready to champion economic interests in Allendale County.

"I think that the challenges rural people face are every bit as daunting as the challenges faced by those in urban areas, if not more so, but not as much attention is given to the rural areas. Allendale County is facing those challenges, but I feel this is a great opportunity to make a positive difference," Myers said.

Myers has had several years of experience working with nonprofit organizations, most notably in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Among other positions, she has been community director with the Lowcountry Human Development Center, a director of development and marketing with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry and, most recently, as an interim director for corporate and foundation relations at Claflin University in Orangeburg. Myers graduated from Randolph College in Lynchburg, Va., with a bachelor's degree in history and politics.

Although Myers, who still lives in Hampton County but plans to move to Allendale County in the near future, took the position in part to be closer to her family, she said her love of rural areas was the deciding factor that led her to take the Chamber of Commerce job.

"Although (this position) is part-time, I hope I can work for the funding so this can be turned into a full-time position because that's what the businesses in Allendale County need right now and deserve to help them develop themselves," Myers said. "I'm also looking forward to learning more about the area so I can do just that. That includes working with the regional alliance to promote more economic development and building strong collaborative relationships within the community."

Chrissy Holliday, an immediate past president of the Allendale County Chamber board who left office in February, notes that the chamber has had a great deal of turnover in the executive director's position simply because, although all were good directors, they had to leave because of other circumstances. Holliday said the chamber board was impressed with many of Myers' characteristics during the hiring process.

"We were very impressed with her experience, both in general and with grants, and her enthusiasm," Holliday said. "Kathleen seems to be a really good fit with the community. Her energy level is tremendous, and she is personally motivated to help Allendale County."

Citing a past survey of area businesses done by one of her chamber predecessors, Myers said she would use the results as a starting point.

"The results showed that the chamber should encourage more businesses to come into Allendale County," Myers said. "They also wanted to see more public relations and marketing training for existing businesses. We may even do another business survey in the near future because there wasn't a lot of response to the last one, and you can't help people until you know what they want and need."

Myers said she believes Allendale County's economic health can be built on two existing strong points.

"We have some great small businesses that give great customer service as opposed to some of the big box chains," she said. "Our businesses can build on that personal relationship that is becoming so important to today's consumers. Additionally, I-95 is becoming so congested, I think we should begin advocating U.S. 301 as a less congested, safer and more pleasant route for travelers."

"I'm dedicated to showing people that our rural towns are just as great as cities like Charleston, only in a different way," Myers said. "I think rural areas and small towns are great; I'm more comfortable here because it feels like home. The important thing I want to do is to increase and strengthen the businesses we have but protect the sense of community that makes Allendale County unique."

T&D Correspondent Phil Sarata can be reached by e-mail at pmhsarata@aol.com.

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