Local and county officials say they’re cautiously optimistic that economic development is picking up in Western York County, due to a mix of improved growth forecasts and tweaks in economic incentives.

“Overall, economic activity has increased, but it has certainly increased in the western part of the county as well,” said Mark Farris, director of York […]

What’s the Carolina Thread Trail?

Those who attended one of three recent open houses in Lancaster County found out. The meetings – held April 4 at Andrew Jackson High School, April 5 at Lancaster County Library and April 11 at the Indian Land Recreation Center – gave local residents a chance to look at maps of […]

America’s manufacturers are creating jobs, but are having a hard time finding workers with the education and training to do them.

Representatives from the local school district, higher education, economic development, workforce development and local industry gathered at the Union County Advanced Technology Center Tuesday morning for a kickoff event for the Upstate Regional Education Center’s […]

The City of Union is doing its part to bring Project Montenegro to Union County.

Union City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve two resolutions and first reading of two ordinances regarding Project Montenegro, the name given the company or industry considering locating in Union County. The first resolution authorized the city to enter into an […]

The Rock Hill Economic Development Corp. threw its support behind the 2011 “Pennies for Progress” road improvement program at its monthly meeting Tuesday.

The program is up for renewal in August, when York County voters can choose whether to approve an additional 1-cent sales tax and continue plans for $161 million in new road construction and […]

A new development that provides affordable housing is among the items on Heath Springs’ wish list as officials prepare to apply for a popular pool of federal money.

Grazier Rhea of the Catawba Regional Council of Governments spoke at this month’s Heath Springs Town Council meeting about Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding, which the town […]

You may review the projects receiving funding and provide comment until April 14, 2011 at: http://www.scdot.org/inside/public_comment.shtml.

An update on and a resolution for a planned $20.8 million retirement village were the main orders of business at Tuesday’s Union City Council meeting.

Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution required by the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA) for the public announcement of the bonds received by Cardinal Real Estate for a project […]

The code name “Project 1036” is no longer necessary after today.

Chester County, Governor Nikki Haley and the South Carolina Department of Commerce have announced that Guardian Industries Corp., a manufacturer of glass products, will expand its float glass operations in Chester County. The expansion will mean a $45 million investment and is expected to generate […]

A housing boom throughout most of the last decade made York the state’s second fastest-growing county.

The county’s population grew by 37.3 percent, or 61,459 residents, since the last census was taken in 2000, according to U.S. Census figures released Wednesday. That’s just behind Dorchester County, which grew 41.6 percent. Horry County was third at 37 […]

Population Distribution and Change: 2000 to 2010

New American Fact Finder

The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) is seeking public review and comment on proposed improvements to Broad Street (US 521) in Camden (Kershaw County).  SCDOT is providing this information for your review and consideration.  You may review this information and provide comment until April 5, 2011 at: 

http://www.scdot.org/inside/public_comment.shtml

Glass products maker Guardian Industries Corp. plans to spend $45 million to expand its Richburg plant, a move expected to create 50 new jobs.

“Chester County has provided us with an excellent business environment and strong workforce, and we are excited about increasing our presence here,” said Tom Wunderlich, plant manager for Guardian’s Richburg plant.

“Demand for […]

The Town of Fort Mill is handling its business, according to a group conducting the town’s annual audit.

Conducted by Greene, Finney & Horton of Mauldin, the audit gave the town an “unqualified opinion,” the best opinion the town can receive, Town Manager David Hudspeth said.

“That means we did everything right,” Hudspeth said. “The way we […]

Lancaster County Council was expected to discuss how they plan to handle county redistricting in anticipation of South Carolina Census data being released sometime this month.

Once county officials have received the 2010 Census information, they are expected to begin working with the Budget and Control Board on the redistricting process. Council’s agenda packet Tuesday featured […]

Ottaray residents are taking the first steps to improving their community, which some feel has been forgotten.

Approximately 40 people gathered in the Monarch Elementary School cafeteria Tuesday evening for a meeting concerning the future of the Ottaray community. The meeting was organized by Kacie Petrie, who represents District 6 on the Union County Council. The […]

Building permits for mobile home and industries rose in Chester County in 2010, but the number issued for single-family and commercial projects dropped sharply.

According to a release from the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, building permit activity in the county was mixed last year. The number of single family permits went from 35 in 2009, […]

The number of permits issued for commercial and industrial construction in Union County increased in 2010 while those issued for single family dwellings remained the same and mobile home permits declined slightly.

Catawba Regional Council of Governments released its report on building permit trends in Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties earlier this month. The report […]

A former auto dealership is set to become the strategic hub for tourism and economic development for Chester and six nearby counties.

The Nourse Interstate Auto Mall is getting a makeover, transforming showroom space into offices for the Olde English District Commission, which oversees tourism marketing in the region, the Chester County Economic Development office, and […]

Grants awarded by a state anti-littering organization will be put to a variety of uses by their recipients in Union County.

PalmettoPride held its 2010-2011Grants Award Luncheon in Columbia Wednesday afternoon. The luncheon was in honor of the recipients of the 138 grants awarded this year by PalmettoPride. Among the recipients were the Enoree River Watershed […]

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Angie Brewer has mixed feelings about the outcome of the most recent Streetscape in Lancaster.

The beautification project, which includes new sidewalks and curbing, recently wrapped up its latest phase – stretching from the railroad tracks on Main Street southward to Hartley’s Appliances and Collins Reality. Intersections include Emmons Street and Brooklyn Avenue.

Williams Finance and Insurance […]

The Kershaw Branch of the Lancaster County Library had the opportunity to show off their Public Computer Center (PCC)at the facility’s open house last Thursday.

About seven new computers are available for public use at the Kershaw Branch library. There is also a 20-station computer lab at the library in partnership with York Technical College, which […]

The Finley Restoration Association, a group of Finley High School alumni, recently met with city officials to discuss ways to best use a c\Community Development Block Grant obtained on its behalf.

The City of Chester received the $25,000 grant in December on behalf of the Finley group to assist in efforts to enhance the appearance of […]

Abitibi Bowater’s Catawba plant was honored Thursday by the state for the company’s efforts to reduce the ozone-producing emissions at its plant – and for its employees’ personal efforts.

The Catawba plant was awarded the “Spare the Air Award.” Last year, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control presented only four such awards throughout the […]

The fourth phase of York’s ongoing downtown streetscape improvement project is expected to begin this spring along West Liberty Street.

The improvements — which include replacing sidewalks, putting down brick pavers and adding new lighting — will be installed along West Liberty, from Main Street to White Rose Lane.

City Manager Charles Helms said he expects the […]

Straight Talk – WRHI Radio

Wednesday Dec. 29th
Randy Imler, Director
Catawba Regional Council of Governments

Audio Interview

The City of Union will use a $25,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to assess the needs of the Union Mill Hill.

The South Carolina Department of Commerce announced Dec. 10 the award of more than $5.7 million in CDBG funds to 25 communities across the state. The funds are allocated for specific projects that will […]

The Town of Kershaw has received a $465,300 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that will be used to renovate and expand the former Kershaw Community Health Education Center (K-CHEC) building and convert it into a clinic for CareNet.

CareNet, a Lancaster-based organization, provides medical care for low to moderateincome residents who either have no health insurance […]

It doesn’t happen too often, but Carlisle Roddey was speechless Monday.
“I honestly don’t know what to say,” Roddey said.
Roddey was presented with a plaque and token Monday after being honored with inclusion in the Clara Barton Society. The honor is the highest that the American Red Cross can bestow upon someone.
Jim Mayhugh, director of the […]

The employment picture in Lancaster County may be looking brighter, as several local companies have plans to create hundreds of new jobs over the next year.

The county has been dogged for many months by a double-digit jobless rate that has consistently ranked the county in the top 10 for unemployment in South Carolina. In November, […]

Spartanburg Community College held registration Wednesday at the Union County Advanced Technology Center (UCATC) – a campus shared by Spartanburg Community College, USC Union and Union County.

SCC offers a variety of transition level courses at the UCATC for students who need to build foundation skills in areas such as reading, English/language arts and mathematics.

SCC also […]

Tuscarora Yarns is expanding its Clover plant, investing $3.5 million to buy new machinery and expand the building.

It is also expected to hire 40 new workers over the next three years.

Most of the new hires should come in the next few months, said Phil Absher, vice president for human resources of the Mount Pleasant, N.C.-based […]

A positive agreement has been reached for Chester County to lease the former Nourse car dealership property on Interstate 77 from the Chester Healthcare Foundation. The agreement would provide a space for the county’s economic development office which is currently housed at the York Technical College Chester campus located off S.C. 9.

Speculation had circulated all […]

County and municipal leaders will revisit talks next year about how best to meet York County’s growing demand for efficient and affordable water and sewer services.

York County residents receive water and sewer through a tangle of service providers resulting in inconsistent standards and costs to customers, county leaders say. To remedy these issues and prepare […]

Mark Knight hopes a new water storage project will protect Lancaster County during a water emergency.

Knight, manager of the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District, is promoting the creation of a new raw water storage reservoir in the county. The reservoir will be built at the site of the Catawba River water treatment plant, as […]

A Rock Hill company will be in charge of replacing the effluent pumps at the city of Lancaster’s wastewater treatment plant.
Lancaster City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to award the project to Turner Murphy Construction Co. Inc.
For $775,370, Turner Murphy Construction will install four new 150 horse-power pumps, which send water from the treatment plant to […]

A new ordinance may soon allow more planned development districts in the county.
County Council gave first reading on Nov. 9 to an ordinance to decrease the minimum acreage amount for PDDs from 150 to 2 acres. A PDD, such as Sun City Carolina Lakes in Indian Land, is a zoning designation that combines both residential and […]

  Union County saw a slight increase in the number of building permits issued for single family homes in the third quarter of 2010, according to information released this week by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments.

  The information shows the number of permits for single family homes in the third quarter stood at seven […]

Mother Nature was unleashed Tuesday afternoon.

Only this time, her acts of destruction were recreated.

The Institute for Business and home Safety held the grand opening of its multi-risk building science research center on S.C. Highway 99.

During Tuesday’s grand opening, the 105 American-made fans were turned on to simulate the equivalent of Category 3 hurricane force winds. […]

New city manager has spent most of his life in Rock Hill, and brings many skills to job.

Chester County has provided the Catawba Regional Council of Governments with a list of prioritized needs.

The county listed 12 different items on the list. Included on the list are an expansion of water and sewer services to low and moderate income areas not currently being served. The county also wants to address slums and blighted […]

Amid the fields and scattered pines of Chester County, a new six-story concrete building juts out of the landscape.  One of its walls is dotted with what looks like a grid of airplane engines, dozens of them.

This new facility is unique in South Carolina and the world, according to its builders.  […]

A Canadian metal fabricator is opening a plant in York County that will bring as many as 200 new jobs over the next five years.

St. Romuald, Quebec-based Supermetal will open the facility in the former Worthington Steel building in Lesslie. The company makes architectural and structural steel for the building industry.

“It’s a good project,” said […]