The Landrum Area Business Association met Tuesday, August 4 to unveil two potential billboard designs.

Landrum’s town council approved funding to renew the billboard on May 12, on the condition that is moved to a new location that is slightly smaller but significantly cheaper, according to LABA President Sean Evans.

The billboard will be moved closer to Landrum at approximately mile marker four on I-26 beside the private airport in Campobello.

The LABA board saw an opportunity to create a new design in the process.

In a contest style format, the LABA opened the design up to a forum of graphic designers. After allowing a period for design Evans presented two front-runners to meeting attendees.

“We sat down and had a discussion about designs, and came back with a couple ideas that we think are pretty good,” said Evans.

The two potential billboards contain the same text and theme.

“We wanted quaintness, charm and a reason for people to get off at exit one,” said LABA Vice-President Linda Howard on the billboard’s design.

The two finalists carry the same theme of “Discover Landrum,” but use different pictures submitted by professional photographer Erik Olsen.

The first presented option was an overview of Landrum taken by drone.

The meeting’s attendees unanimously selected the second, a street-level shot of downtown Landrum at sunset.

“You try to say on a billboard in a picture what would take a lot of words, because people only have a couple seconds that they see it,” said Landrum Mayor Bob Briggs on the winning design. “The picture itself invites you in.”

“The picture is a road that you just want to drive on,” added City Administrator Caitlin Martin.

The winning design will be presented to Landrum City Council for approval in the upcoming meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, August 11 at 6 p.m. in the town council chambers.  A work session will take place prior at 4:45 in Town Hall, and is open to the public.