Our Horses Mean Business
Tryon Horse Country
Tryon, NC Columbus, NC Green Creek, NC
Landrum, SC Campobello, SC Gowansville, SC
Sponsored by:
Foothills Equine Education Initiative in conjunction with Polk County Economic
Development Commission and Foothills Chamber of Commerce
Mission:
To increase awareness of the benefits of Local area's horse economy and to
promote jobs and economic opportunities for horse owners through the
Foothills horse industry.
Goals:
Educate the public and key state and local constituencies about the benefits
the entire horse industry provides to all sectors of the Local area economy
• Develop a grassroots network involving the local area's horse economy
• Build a coalition of diverse organizations supporting our local horse economy.
Encourage the development of a pro-jobs and economic opportunities
agenda for the Local area horse economy to include:
• Increased advocacy and promotion of the Local area horse industry
• Initiatives to stimulate jobs and economic growth through economic
incentives and tax reform to solidify the local horse economy leadership
to attract new horse industry interests to the state.
• Expansion of existing local horse economy programs for all
Build Awareness of how vital the industry is to the overall economy of Polk
County and surrounding areas (Spartanburg County, Greenville County,
Rutherford County). Whether a backyard pleasure horse or a stable full of
warmbloods, they are contributors to the economics of the equine industry.
Awareness programs include:
Developing a marketing program using newspaper, radio, television,
direct mail and public relations to raise awareness of the importance of
the equine industry.
Creating a weekly email newsletter
Creating a database of equine industry participants
Speaking to local civic and business groups about our mission and the
importance of the equine industry.
Key Initiatives:
• Distribution of fact-based Foothills area/Tryon Horse Country horse economy information.
• Team 100: A broad-based grassroots network of horse economy
participants
• A local advisory committee consisting of prominent horse industry
representatives from all sectors of the horse economy.
• A coalition of organizations with horse economy-related interests
including local chamber of commerce, Rotary Clubs, businesses, farm
organizations and trade associations.
• Recognizing that the horse events are key drivers of tourism
expenditures in the area.
• Work cooperatively with other agriculture-related organizations, expecting that
partnerships will help us further our cause for the collective good of the entire
agricultural community.