Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly has no qualms about setting the bar high for the City of Gaffney's annual 2-day workshop.

"I think it's going to be one of our best workshops," Jolly said. "The administrator (James Taylor) and staff have put together an outstanding program."

The workshop begins Thursday in Limestone College's Stephenson Dining Hall,

Jolly said he's especially excited to hear from Clemson University professor Robert Becker, who serves as the director of the college's prestigious Strom Thurmond Institute. Becker is scheduled to speak at 11 a.m. Thursday about the region's economic trends.

Clinton Mayor Randy Randall is another musthear speaker, Jolly said. Randall, who will address council Friday, will touch on the strong relationship between Clinton and Presbyterian College. Jolly said the purpose of the talk is to come up with ideas to forge a stronger relationship between the city and Limestone College.

Speaking of Limestone, president Dr. Walt Griffin will speak to council during its lunch break Thursday.

The workshop concludes Friday afternoon with a long-term planning and prioritizing session.

This is the second year in a row that Limestone has hosted the workshop. In previous years, council held its workshop at the Greenville Hyatt. Cost concerns, though, influenced council to hold its workshop closer to home this year.