Movie Megaplex
Upstate Facts
Retail Growth
Residential Plans
Industrial Parks
Widening Roads
More Growth Signs
GMs' Opinions
EDA Leaders
Resources
Big-box retailers, a new Community College Campus, and Gaffney Prime Outlets - we've arrived
"Big box" retailers like Lowe's follow meticulous growth statistics and establish a presence only after population and projection guidelines are surpassed. Walgreens, Starbucks, and other retailers are no different. Spartanburg Technical College's new campus has broken ground in Gaffney, and American Family Entertainment will add a 56,000 SF complex with movie theaters, a bowling alley, arcade, a sports bar, and more, adjacent to the Prime Outlets Mall.
To meet the growing power demands of our region, Duke Power just approved the purchase of land to build a $4 billion power plant in Cherokee County along the Broad River on our eastern border, similar to their Lake Norman model north of Charlotte. It will start construction in 2010. Short and long-term growth plans are already in place here.
According to Upstate Alliance South Carolina, a consortium of counties working together to promote major business development in the Upstate,
"Cherokee County enjoys a thriving and profitable economy and an abundance of natural and manufactured resources. Cherokee County sits in a prime location just off I-85 between Charlotte, North Carolina and Greenville/Spartanburg."
Compelling Stats:*
- The Upstate has the highest international investment per capita in the United States.
- The Upstate, along the "boom belt" I-85, is one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation with more than 215 international companies.
- Over 4,200 people are employed by more than 30 pharmaceutical and related companies in Upstate South Carolina.
- Our region has 130 high-tech plastics-related companies employing more than 17,000.
- Our impact on the automotive industry is huge - there are 125 auto-related companies within a 500 mile radius of the Upstate, along with the recently-opened International Center for Automotive Research.
- Greensville/Spartanburg International Airport has been noted as the 11th fastest growing airport in the US.
- The Upstate is home to an extensive technical college system ranked as one of the best in the US.
- 66% of the entire US population is within a 2-day drive, making us a desirable location for logistics and distribution hubs.
- The Port of Charleston is the 2nd largest of all ports on the east US coast.
From the 2007-2008 Cherokee Chamber of Commerce:
"(Our) growth will only continue. Cherokee County is the last great frontier for economic development in the Upstate of South Carolina. Its infrastructure and access are strong lures for business and industry, especially with Charlotte/Douglas International Airport and Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport each just 45 minutes away."
Summary: With the abundance of available, inexpensive land, natural resources, and our location adjacent to Charlotte along I-85, what you see below is the obvious result - growth in Cherokee County.
Orange Barrels are a "Symbol" of Growth!
From left, State Road 5 from Blacksburg will be 4-lane all the way to Rock Hill, facilitating easy access to I-77 while avoiding Charlotte, and to Myrtle Beach! We just broke ground on our 3rd industrial park, and State Road 29 from Gaffney to Blacksburg (9 miles) is being widened to 4 lanes (over the Broad River)
If you are considering a career with Upstate Carolina MC, although you may not otherwise take note of these orange barrels in Cherokee County, manufacturing and transportation companies delight in them! They will also notice our cheaper land and utility prices while they "lick their chops" over our proximity to Charlotte. The barrels mean a growing population, which promotes a comfort level with projecting the practice opportunity for a physician, as well as mandates for growth by Upstate Carolina MC in the form of new facilities and expansion!
|
Retail Growth |
Residential Development |
|
Industrial Parks |
Widening Roads |
More Growth Signs
2007 $4.5 million expansion of Spartanburg Technical College to Gaffney, and
more!
These General Managers run some of the largest employers in Cherokee County - what do they say?
|
Pat
Emrich |
Mark Propst |
John
Claterbos |
These General Managers
run the large employers in Cherokee County and have well-formed opinions on our future.
"We used to be a 'mill village' and an outlying, blue-collar-textile town. It amazes me how far we've come since the 1970s when Cherokee County started to diversify when Timken came into the community. We have seen moderate growth since 2,000 and in the next 10 years we will see more. Not only are Charlotte and Greenville continuing to spread out, but we are becoming more and more attractive because of our location and inexpensive land and resources."
Jim Cook
Director
Cherokee County Development Board
References and Thanks:*
www.cherokeecounty-sc.org
www.sc-upstate-info.org/econdev1.htm
www.upstatealliance.com/cherokee.php
Images of America:
Cherokee South Carolina,
by
Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society, Inc., 2003 Arcadia Publishing
www.cherokeechamber.org/
Upstate Alliance
July 2009 Chamber of Commerce Brochure
(PDF)
Unless otherwise indicated, every photo was taken specifically for this presentation. Unlike many company websites and recruitment materials, in this presentation there are no "stock" photos or images that aren't authentic. Upstate Carolina MC is very grateful to our friends and neighbors for making our presentation so special. We truly appreciate you!
LInkedin