=Two recent events showcasing local industry have served to point out the necessity of close relationships between schools, commercial, retail and industrial groups in the effort to move Oconee County forward.

Industry officials were feted at an industry appreciation dinner last Thursday in Seneca. The event drew together approximately 150 representatives of Oconee County industries and members of the county’s chambers of commerce at Shaver Complex. While the gathering provided an opportunity for socializing, enjoying good food and recognizing outstanding industrial employees, it also helped emphasize the need to form closer bonds between different types of businesses.

Borg-Warner’s Todd Bennington put it well, saying, “We are interdependent . . . We have a lot of common goals.”

Bennington couldn’t be more right. As the saying goes, we either hang together and survive, or we will surely hang separately.

The rotten economy of 2009 will soon give way to what is projected to be another poor, if slowly improving, year in 2010. It takes the combined efforts of everyone engaged in the business of producing products, providing goods and services, and employing people to help the community make it through these difficult days. Bringing complementary groups together to fellowship and exchange ideas is a good way to nurture that process.

The role of schools in preparing the next generation of workers and managers for industry can also not be forgotten. It was in recognition of this important relationship that Oconee County industries and businesses welcomed some 426 elementary school teachers through their doors on Monday.

For the 30 local organizations that played host to Oconee teachers, it was a chance to educate the educators on the needs of industry and business and how they, as teachers, can start preparing boys and girls for the future. The message is that it is never too early, even as early as elementary school, to plan ahead and be ready for a work world that will be exciting, challenging and ever-changing.