McDuffie County's about to be put on the map.
County officials have pegged Alabama-based map designers Ad-Scope Designs to develop an updated, full-color countywide map to be distributed to visitors, new residents and businesses.
Thomson-McDuffie Chamber of Commerce Director Carolyn Gilbert said that a new map featuring updated street information will be a tremendous promotional tool for the area.
"It's very, very valuable. Most everyone who comes here wants a map. You've got to have an updated map; the one we've been using is at least seven years old," she said.
A representative from Ad-Scope Designs will be in town for the next several weeks selling advertising slots on the maps, which will provide another promotion avenue for local businesses. Mrs. Gilbert said about 5,000 copies of the map should arrive in early April.
Aside from the standard map markings, places of interest -- like historical landmarks and other local attractions -- as well as a street index will also be included. The map will also feature detailed maps of the cities of Thomson and Dearing.
Tourism officials have been extra active recently -- fresh off the success of Festival Off Main Street, last month they selected three new members for the tourism board.
The move was particularly important, as it signified the end of board members having indefinite terms. Tourism Director Gerald Baygents, who recently showed off a new color brochure that will promote McDuffie County.
Like the brochure, Mrs. Gilbert said she saw the map as yet another promotional tool that will help the area grow.
"It'll be a tourism tool. ...They're really nice looking maps. I'm excited about it, and (Thomson City Administrator) Bob Flanders is working with them to make sure that everything's correct."
