The ACTDA is giving local vendors this sticker to place on their products in order to help promote Anson County.

On Wednesday, the Anson County Tourism Development Authority unanimously voted to help fund a branding and wayfinding sign project in Anson County.

The board voted to help fund the consulting and design fees for the project, though it will discuss and vote on each aspect as more details are known at each stage.

Last month, the TDA held a meeting for local community, government and tourism leaders to learn about the opportunity. “We didn’t have the turnout we hoped for, but we did make some good progress,” chairman Jeff Boothby said. The TDA will hold more presentations to reach the representatives.

The TDA will explain the project and ask for the town of Wadesboro’s support during the council’s meeting on June 1 at 5 p.m. in Town Hall.

Buzz Bizzell, of Bizzell Design, which would lead the project, will give a similar presentation to the Wadesboro Rotary Club during its meeting at noon on June 4 at Welika Fish House in Lilesville.

Although the TDA will push the project, Boothby stressed that it will be a group effort. “This project is not going to come to fruition if it’s just the TDA, and the TDA will not put these funds in without the cooperation of other groups, stakeholders.”

While the board agreed that it will not fund the entire project, it did start the process by contacting Bizzell and will contribute some money. “What we’re probably going to see as the TDA is that we’re probably going to have to be the driving force in this,” Boothby said.

At the end of the project, the board hopes to have established a brand for Anson County and installed wayfinding signs to help tourists find local attractions.

The board also unanimously approved a request from the Anson County Arts Council for $1,000 to market the 30th anniversary celebrations of the filming of “The Color Purple” in Anson County.

A request for up to $1,200 for Uptown Wadesboro, Inc.’s Fourth of July fireworks and other events on its schedule was also approved unanimously. Board member Anne Leary, who is also a member of UWI, presented the request. The Fourth of July celebration will be held on July 3; the SummerJam celebration will be held in the Plank Road Realty parking lot and the fireworks will be located down the hill across Highway 74 near the Firemen’s Training Center.

There is about $13,000 left in the TDA’s budget to use, not including unused director’s fees and the remainder of the reserve fund.

Board member Richard Allen showed the board the final version of the stickers the TDA is distributing to local vendors in order to promote Anson County. The stickers show the Discover Anson logo, informing customers that “This product was produced in Anson Co.” So far, the stickers have been given to several people, including local beekeepers.

The board went into closed session before adjourning. The next meeting will be held June 10 at noon at the Ladybug Family Restaurant in Wadesboro.