Spartanburg
Spartanburg Community College’s Spark Center is crushing it…
“Since its inception in 2006, the center has helped about 80 companies launch or expand and generated more than 28,000 jobs, $1.9 billion in wage earnings, and more than $100 million in tax revenue. The nearly 400,000-square-foot center serves four project types: soft landings, small-business incubation, workforce employment services, and special projects.” Source: UBJ
Keurig / Green Mountain plans to build a new, state-of-the-art roasting and packaging facility ($350 million / 500 jobs).Downtown strives to balance daytime work life with nightlife.
There’s a proposed new zoning plan…
“Changes are coming to the rapidly growing southwestern portion of Spartanburg County, and a new performance zoning plan that officials say seeks to welcome growth while maintaining the rural character of the area is moving closer to reality.
If approved by Spartanburg County Council later this year, it will be the county’s first zoning plan of its kind — one that provides more flexibility to developers and residents than the current Unified Land Management Ordinance does…”
The travel channel is featuring the Beacon Drive-In.
Smith’s Drugs downtown is going to get an overhaul.
Bigger planes will soon be able to land at Spartanburg Memorial Airport.
Greenville
Greenville County Council green-lights $1B redevelopment of 37 acres of prime real estate downtown.
Hop in rides are coming to GVL. This is a tip only service.
GSP
More new businesses are planned for Woodruff’s Main Street.
Kemper Corporation is locating production operations in Union County ($1.9 million / 28 new jobs).
SC
“South Carolina has vaulted to the nation’s fourth-largest exporter to China, with BMW vehicles and Boeing airplanes helping to nearly wipe out the Palmetto State’s trade deficit with the Asian economic power, a new study shows.” Source: Charleston Post and Courier
The Bigger Picture
12 Things Seattle can teach us about economic development and building better cities.
Uber and others begin to share data with cities.
Will the cities of the future have skyports?