CLOVER The town of Clover has launched a new interactive mapping tool on its web site that offers information about the town to visitors and people searching for economic development opportunities.

The tool, called Geocockpit 360, shows streets, parcel outlines and aerial photography. It also allows the town to provide details about points of interest, such as attractions and businesses, and driving directions.

The site features 360-degree views of select areas that highlight economic development opportunities — such as historic downtown areas, commercial corridors and typical residential areas.

Geocockpit 360 is a product of Drahola Technologies, a Lake Wylie-based geospatial consulting company that helps towns like Clover manage and display their geodata more effectively at an affordable cost.

“It’s like sitting in a bubble and looking around,” said Bernie Drahola, owner of the company. He said the 360-degree scenes “give people a real impression of how it looks.”

The tool is available from a link on the town’s web site, at www.cloversc.org.

From there, users will be taken to a map screen of Clover, where they can locate an attraction or business on the map or search by category. Users can get directions or obtain the contact information.

Drahola said the site, also available on a smart phone, allows businesses to advertise weekly deals and share news. “Everything that goes into this application will be available on the go from a smartphone-friendly web site,” he said.

The town announced that Clover businesses who want to have an enhanced listing on the site can subscribe for $25 per year, or $10 annually for Clover Chamber of Commerce members. The enhanced listing would include a description and picture of the business and website address.

Town Administrator Allison Harvey said the site “provides a low-cost opportunity for local businesses to advertise online.”

“We’re excited about having a map online that we can control. We can use it as a tool to promote our local businesses and also as a tool to attract new businesses,” Harvey said.

She said it will “help Clover citizens learn about our local businesses, but it will also show how active our business climate is to others who may be looking to Clover for a business opportunity.”

Businesses can learn more at www.cloversc.org. For more information, contact Shannon Nix at 222-9495 or snix@cloversc.org.

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