Moore , Graham Highlight Aiken Meeting

The second of the two summer SCTOBA Meetings was held in Aiken at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame on August 27^th. In addition to enjoying browsing through the museum,  the group was treated to an interesting blend of speakers for the program. State Senator Tommy Moore of District 25 told the group that he and many of his legislative colleagues had been unaware of the tremendous economic impact that the equine business had in South Carolina and he recognized that the state had done very little to promote the industry. He suggested that the SCTOBA take the results of the current economic impact study and meet with the legislative delegations from Aiken and Kershaw counties to see what help they could give. Senator Moore was followed by Bob Graham from the USDA Statistical Group. He reported that about 11000 of the 28000 responses to the economic impact study survey had been processed. He further said that he hoped that the results would be available by year- end. Jerry Miller of the equine committee of Farm Bureau updated the group on the legislation being introduce to put a five cents a bag tax on equine feeds and create a board to oversee how this money should be allocated to promote various equine activities in the state.

           The next general meeting of the SCTOBA will be held on Dec 10^th at the Elloree Training Center.