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Fall 2011
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Anderson County
Special Advertising Section
Anderson County hosts many outdoor events that enhance quality of life for residents across the area.
Anderson County
Community plans for quality-of-life legacy
N
estled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Anderson County lies along the South Carolina Heritage Corridor in the state’s northwestern corner. Located along Interstate 85, halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte, N.C., on what was once Cherokee hunting ground, Anderson is studded with landmarks from its past. From pioneer log cabins to stately mansions, the area holds treasures for those hoping to explore the region’s heritage. Anderson County retains the benefits of small town living with friendly people and less traffic than nearby metro cities. Blending the old and new, the county seat of Anderson has revitalized its downtown with new facades, cobblestone areas, fountains and green spaces. This revitalization complements the stately historic courthouse and the modern new courthouse facing each other on Main Street. Companies throughout the county recruit 8
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employees who have received specialized training from nearby Tri-County Technical College, Anderson and Clemson universities. Anderson County is also home to the Clemson University Advanced Materials Center. Advanced materials research is about making products smarter, better and faster. Inside Clemson’s 111,000-square-foot research laboratory are some of the world’s brightest researchers, using state-of-the-art equipment. The National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense and NASA have all recognized the laboratory’s work and have provided funds to fuel future innovation. Low taxes, low cost of quality real estate, extraordinary community services and events, concerts, the arts, beautiful golf courses, hundreds of restaurants and shopping venues, great schools, colleges and unbeatable health care are just a few of the amenities offered in Anderson County.
This century-old generator was operated by famed Anderson engineer William Whitner, who found a way to reliably send electricity to textile mills across the county.
A history of innovation Anderson County was named in honor of Revolutionary War hero Gen. Robert Anderson. In the mid-1700s, Anderson and Andrew
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Anderson County
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Pickens explored and surveyed the Cherokee land that was to become Anderson. The Cherokees lived in the area until 1777 when the land was ceded to South Carolina by the Cherokees in a treaty negotiated by Pickens. This area became known as the Pendleton District. In 1826, the Pendleton District was divided into two districts — Anderson and Pickens. Because the town of Pendleton was too close to the Pickens border, a courthouse was built at the center of the county in a small town named Anderson that was once heralded as the “City of Hospitality” for its gracious air and beautiful gardens. Settled by pioneering farmers of ScotsIrish and English descent, the area’s spirit of innovation and self-reliance prepared the region for the manufacturing boom in the 19th century. Using a hydroelectric power, Anderson engineer William Whitner found a way for electricity to be conducted by wire to mills throughout the county. Anderson was the first U.S. city to have a continuous supply of electric power, which was supplied by a water mill located in the high shoals area of the Rocky River. Anderson was in the vanguard of long-distance transmission of hydro-
Visitors enjoy perusing the wares of vendors during the Spring Jubilee in Pendleton.
electric power, and was dubbed the “Electric City.” Additionally, the first cotton gin in the world to be operated by electricity was built in Anderson County in 1897. To this day, the county boasts the state’s oldest cotton mill in operation, Pendleton Factory, which was built by La France Industries in 1838. Because of Whitner’s historical significance, he is memorialized with a bronze statue in front of the Anderson County Courthouse and a street named in his honor. The century-old generator operated by Whitner at the Portman
Power Plant — the humble beginning of Duke Power, now known as Duke Energy — is on display at the 10,000-square-foot Generator Park. Anderson’s downtown historic district comprises a 16-block walking tour that includes the courthouse, the Sullivan Building, the P&N Railroad Depot, a Confederate monument, the Anderson County Museum, the Anderson County Library, a 1764 Revolutionary War cannon called “The Old Reformer,” and the Anderson Arts Center, formerly known as the Carnegie Library.
Vision for the future Leadership is the responsibility to lead by example, and Anderson County has not faltered in its determination to make wise choices that promote sustainable development and a prosperous future for the region’s children and grandchildren, not just in Anderson County but the Upstate. Anderson County defines “sustainable development” as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. By promoting collective action to maintain Anderson County’s intrinsic quali-
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ties, the region must plan and manage public assets, infrastructure and resources in a way that supports sustainable development objectives and promotes the public interest. During the past decade, Anderson County has undergone a transformation with unprecedented revitalization. South Anderson is undergoing a transformation with the completion of the Courthouse Annex, a new one-stop shop for residents, and the upcoming renovation of a vacant shopping center into a Lowe’s. Anderson County has seen an increase in the number of county businesses and jobs between 2007 and 2011, and has a diverse mix of business types, occupations and residents. Recent economic development has included Lincoln Oil, $10 million investment and 12 jobs; Cross Country Home Services, $3 million investment with 200-plus jobs; Heritage Propane Express, $1.5 million investment and 24 jobs; Delta Power Co., $3.6 million investment and 40 jobs; Allegro Industries, $1.65 million investment and 45 jobs; Unitex Group USA, $4 million investment and 40 jobs. First Quality Tissue’s decision to bring $1 billion investment and 1,000 jobs to Anderson County earned Area Development magazine’s Project of the Year award and propelled South Carolina over the top as the 2011 Gold Shovel Award Recipient. The company chose Anderson County after an extensive site selection process and credited the state’s proximity to the growing Southeastern market, quality infrastructure and low energy costs. With the addition of new industry, Anderson County also has witnessed the expansion of existing industries. Glen Raven, Robert Bosch, Orian Rugs, Medline and Timken are expanding and growing with a combined $59 million investment and 60 additional jobs.
Fiscal responsibility With 187,126 people, Anderson County is the eighth largest county in South Carolina. Current population trends indicate a surge of people could soon call the county home. Anderson County has retained an AA credit rating from Standard & Poor’s and the Aa3 rating from Moody’s, two of the top providers of independent credit and risk analysis. The county is investing in a range of programs and infrastructure projects to maintain quality of life underpinned by sound fiscal decision-making and policies to ensure stability for Anderson County’s future.
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Anderson County
Special Advertising Section
Anderson County offers a number of recreational and family friendly events throughout the year for residents and visitors.
Economic development Anderson County has focused its economic development efforts by improving relationships with existing industries and recruiting and nurturing new industries that improve quality of life for all residents. Area Development magazine, a national economic development publication, recently awarded South Carolina the 2011 Gold Shovel award for the state’s economic developments efforts last year. South Carolina also received the magazine’s “Project of the Year” award, making the state the first recipient to receive both awards. First Quality was cited as one of the projects that lead to South Carolina being awarded the “Gold Shovel Award.” “It is quite an honor for Anderson County to be named in a very prestigious list of projects that brought Area Development’s Gold Shovel award to South Carolina,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “Anderson County Council is motivated by a unified vision to create high-paying jobs for our residents by attracting quality industry to our county. We have a firm foundation of infrastructure to support industry, many diverse sites, a well-equipped workforce and competitive incentives. First Quality’s decision to bring an $1 billion investment and 1,000 jobs to Anderson County represents the successful collaboration of our legislative delegation, county council and administration, economic development professionals and the State Department of Commerce to bring prospective industry home to South Carolina.” Dan Cooper, former state representative and chairman of the S.C. House Ways and Means Committee, said economic development in Anderson County is a testament to hard work on several levels. “It is truly exciting to see Area Develop12
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ment recognize South Carolina with its Gold Shovel award and the Project of the Year award for First Quality Tissue investment in Anderson County,” Cooper said. “This award is a testament to all the hard work of state and local leaders and economic development professionals from across South Carolina.”
Tourism is economic development Anderson County boasts a mild climate with four distinct seasons, a vast lake and a thriving economic and cultural community. Home to 55,950-acre Hartwell Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir with nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline for residential and recreational use, Anderson is within sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a morning drive from the Atlantic Ocean beaches. Anderson County has become a thriving industrial, commercial and tourist center with one of the lowest costs of living rates in the United States. Hartwell Lake: Named for another Revolutionary War figure, Nancy Ann Morgan Hart, the lake hosts 10.5 million visitors annually. The lake is known for water sports, including boating, water skiing and bass fishing. Since 2008, it has welcomed events such as the BassMaster’s Classic, Toyota Tundra Bassmaster’s Tournament, the Lady Bass Angler’s Association Tournament, the Triple Crown Watercross Tour, the 2011 Wake Hartwell Wakeboarding Championship. The lake’s shoreline is dotted with boat landings, recreation areas, campgrounds and marinas. Interstate 85 bisects Hartwell Lake, making the area easily accessible to visitors. A popular destination for campers and hikers — Anderson County boasts miles of hiking trails in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Dozens of scenic waterfalls are
popular destinations — some easily accessible and some requiring a longer, more strenuous hike. Other popular recreation activities include whitewater sports, rock climbing, mountain biking and horseback riding. T. Ed Garrison Arena: Horse shows, livestock sales, and equestrian events are held at this venue, a $4.4 million, 100-acre complex just off U.S. Highway 76. Owned and operated by Clemson University, the area boasts indoor and outdoor arenas. The facility is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. A number of riding farms and academies in the area provide further options for equestrians and horse fans. NASCAR: Stock car race fans can catch NASCAR events at Anderson Motor Speedway, located off I-85 between Anderson and Greenville. The speedway roars into action each Friday night throughout the summer. The “Supertrack of the Carolinas” attracts some of the best driving talent from across the Carolinas and Georgia each week in a quest for the checkered flag. Golf: The Upstate boasts 125 golf courses, 12 in Anderson County along. Golf tournaments such as the BMW Charity Pro-Am, which draws an impressive list of professional golfers and celebrities, attract golf enthusiasts from all over. Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center: Since 2007, the center has attracted diverse community events such as the Great Southeast BalloonFest, Balloons Over Anderson, the Loch Hartwell Scots Fest & Highland Games, the Clemson Brick Forum, the Southern Classic Volleyball Tournament and the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s Annual Convention, the 2009 S.C. Sons of Confederate Veterans State Convention and the 2010 National Reunion of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The architecture is illuminated at the Thrift Library on the Anderson University campus.
The center is the main recreational hub for the county. With a 14,000-seat amphitheater, a 65-acre Sports Center and a 37,000-squarefoot Civic Center, the center offers entertainment and recreation venues for many interests and individuals. Anderson County’s reputation as a convention-conference venue is growing because of the area’s professional atmosphere, the Anderson Civic Center’s quality meeting space and Southern hospitality. In 2008, the county partnered with the city of Anderson and other organizations to inaugurate the first Tour de La France to encourage residents to pursue a more active lifestyle.
Airport The Anderson County Regional Airport serves the citizens and businesses of Anderson County and surrounding areas. The airport is three miles from Anderson and has two runways measuring 6,000 feet and 5,000 feet. The airport can accommodate regional jet aircraft. In addition, the airport has a small terminal and helipads and has a Category I Instrument Landing System for all weather operations. Fueling, aircraft storage, aircraft maintenance, pilot services and aircraft services also are provided. Other airport amenities include a pilot lounge, quiet room, flight planning, catering, free crew car, car rental and conference room.
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