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Lincoln tourism and chamber offices working as a team

February 22, 2008|STEPHANIE SCHELL

STANFORD - Luzia Foster volunteered her time for eight years before the county officially created her part-time, paid position as executive director of the Lincoln County Office of Tourism.

She said since last summer she's been moving into what is now the permanent location of that office. Before the move, Foster worked from several locations. Now she is settled in the Buzz Walker Building at 201 E. Main St. next to the Chamber of Commerce.

The two offices not only share a building, the directors - Foster and chamber director Andrea Miller, are teaming up to share projects and county promotion efforts. The county's economic development authority also is involved in some of their efforts. They've hit the ground running by collaborating and finding ways to complement one another's responsibilities.

Barn quilt project involves three agencies

One project in the works is a collaboration between the office of tourism, chamber and Lincoln County Art League. The three agencies are teaming up to produce barn quilt squares that are intended to draw people to the area.

Projects like this one that bring people to the county are exactly what these two offices need to help each other, Foster said, adding as her tourism efforts draw people in, visitors will spend money here that helps the chamber's purpose.

Miller said being able to share contacts, resources and having another set of eyes to look things over help, too. Foster said it's all about "trying to get people together to make things happen."

It's not unusual for cities' chambers and offices of tourism to team up, but Miller and Foster feel not many of them have the type of relationship they share.

"We have a lot of the same goals," Miller said, adding they aren't trying to satisfy personal agendas.

Foster is trying to get her efforts spread countywide, too, with her work as an adviser to the South-Lincoln Memorial Community Center in Kings Mountain and to the Crab Orchard Community Development Association. Foster now oversees the Farmer's Market program and will be a tour guide for travel writers who visit various parts of the county, too.

Foster and Miller want citizens of the county to get involved, too. Miller said there are many ways to get involved and be active in their communities. To find out how to get involved, or to pick up brochures and literature on various locations in the area, visit the tourism office at 201 E. Main St. Call the office of tourism at (606) 365-4547 or the chamber at (606) 365-4118.

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