Pictured, from left, are Pickens County Career and Technology Center director Ken Hitchcock, Pickens City Council members Patrick Lark, Fletcher Perry and Patti Welborn, Pickens Innovation Center board member Tom O’Hanlan, center director Mark Davis, Pickens mayor David Owens, Pickens city administrator Bruce Evilsizor, Pickens councilman Donnie McKinney, Pickens Innovation Center board member Rick Murphy and Pickens Revitalization Association director Allison Fowler.

PICKENS — A new center set to help local entrepreneurs connect, grow and share ideas opened its doors last week in Pickens.

The Pickens Innovation Center held its formal grand opening Thursday at its location at 107 Court St.

According to officials, the center’s mission is to benefit and advance the development of local entrepreneurs, as well as impact the image of the Pickens community and promote a diversified economy. The center is positioned to serve both the Upstate and Western North Carolina, officials say.

“I am very excited to be a part of this project,” said Sealevel Systems CEO Tom O’Hanlan, a Pickens Innovation Center board member. “The Technology Villages program has been a huge success in other cities. The citizens of Pickens County will definitely benefit from the companies and jobs that will be created by this effort. I applaud the city of Pickens for their willingness to invest in the future of the community and surrounding area.”

For more information about the center, call (864) 507-3192, email director@pickensinnovationcenter.com or visit pickensinnovationcenter.com.