TASK FORCE
WHAT’S NEXT? With some of the initial steps completed or underway, the next job is to stay on task, especially as the economy returns to pre-Recession levels. The number of visitors to Hilton Head Island has rebounded from 2.3 million in 2009 to 2.4 million last year, according to the Lowcountry and Resort Islands Tourism Institute at the University of South Carolina Beaufort,
Tracking progress toward Vision 2025 is the Greater Island Council. The committee is split between task force members and Island Council members.
and hotel occupancy was 61.9 percent through July this year, compared to 60.8 percent in 2012. Tracking progress toward Vision 2025 is the Greater Island Council, which created the Vision Steering Committee. The committee is split between task force members and Island Council members. It meets twice a month and regularly meets with the mayor and town manager, Ames said. Vision committee member Ackerman said, “In many ways, the task force achieved its purpose already. The trick moving forward is to keep that fresh outlook going. I think it has been extremely positive. There is a new optimism in the area.” He said some of that positivity comes from the rebounding economy
84 hiltonheadmonthly.com
SEPT 13 076-087 MayorsVisionTaskForce.indd 84
8/22/13 12:09 PM