HARTWELL, GA - With the cost of gasoline, air travel turmoil, and low U.S. dollar value, locals may prefer to stay at home for vacation. So the Hart County Board of Commissioners is working to lure those stay-cationers to Lake Hartwell.

During the board's June 10, 2008, meeting, County Administrator Jon Caime commented on the natural tourist draw of Lake Hartwell with 13,000,000 annual visitors, located within 100 miles of one of the largest US metropolitan areas, and directly in the heart of the I-85 corridor which is the ninth largest commerce in the world, according to the meeting minutes on the website.

Caime suggested a meeting between the BOC, City of Hartwell, IBA, DDA and the Chamber of Commerce to map out a new more aggressive joint tourism effort. Commissioner Reyen entertained a motion to have the CA set up this meeting. Commissioner Brown followed with a second to the motion. The motion carried 5-0.