Seneca ranked 27 Top Performing Micropolitan Area in US

According to Site Selection Magazine’s 2014 list of top micropolitans, the Seneca micropolitan is ranked 27th out of the 576 areas in the nation as identified by the US Census Bureau.   Seneca Mayor Dan Alexander called the ranking fantastic.  “Being ranked 27^th is fantastic.  Micropolitan areas are considered non-urban communities anchored by a town of no more than 50,000 people.  Richard Blackwell actually released this from the county.  When you look at Oconee County, it has changed so much, especially to me in the last 15 years.  It has always been a beautiful place but the area where we are is actually a central location between Atlanta and Charlotte that opens a lot of doors for people that want to move here and retire here.” Many people fall in love with the area because of the beautiful outdoor attractions, says Mayor Alexander.  “Lots of people like to be near the big city if they want it but also this area, the natural resources here are absolutely gorgeous.  You have, 70 waterfalls, I believe in Oconee County; you also have Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee, three beautiful lakes.  So, it has a lot to offer.” Mayor Alexander also credited Oconee County with making the area attractive to businesses.  “When you look at economic development, Scott Moulder and the County Council, they really have made some tremendous strides in the last couple of years to promote economic development and trying to get plants here.” The magazine based their results on the number of economic development projects in the area during the 2013 year. This is not the first time Oconee County has been recognized as a top micropolitan. In 2012, the Seneca micropolitan was ranked 45th.