More than a building
An innovation catalyst for the region
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The long-awaited Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative (AMC) on the campus at USC Aiken is one step closer to being a reality. The contract to design and construct the $50 million, 70,000 square foot facility has been awarded and is expected to be complete in 2024.
The Aiken Chamber, USC Aiken, Economic Development Partnership, and the Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization and others have advocated for funding of this game-changing economic catalyst since 2015. Through many starts and stops through the Department of Energy, the Office of Management and Budget, and two presidential elections, the community support of the AMC has never waivered.
“We believe the AMC has the potential to become the front door to a new innovation district and serve as an engine for economic growth in the area,” said Aiken Chamber president/CEO J. David Jameson.
The AMC is expected to employ 120 high level researchers that will collaborate with industry professionals from across the world. The level of activity at the facility will mean more people eating, shopping and spending money on goods and services in our local economy. Previously, these scientists and the support staff were all located behind the gates of the Savannah River Site making collaboration with business and industry and academia more difficult.
“There will be a tremendous boost to the local economy from this initiative, since the facility will be outside the Savannah River Site, a first for the community,” Jameson said. “Benefits will not only include the projected workforce but also include the in-direct economic benefits from national and international researchers visiting our community and the possibility of numerous conferences and seminars hosted locally.”
The facility’s location on the campus of USC Aiken will create an environment to develop the best and brightest next generation workforce to help counter attrition of nuclear chemical and materials processing experience. Having AMC on the USC Aiken campus will promote the “power of proximity,” allowing university students and researchers to interact to create future technologies.
The purpose of the AMC, to support the mission of the Savannah River National Lab, is wonderful, but the potential impact to the overall economy of the area is even greater. Already the South Carolina National Guard has plans to build its DreamPort adjacent to the AMC.
Both projects have been on the advocacy radar of the Aiken Chamber for years because of the potential they bring to creating an innovation district. These are not just buildings where people go to work, these buildings are powerful for what goes on inside of them as well as the changes they can bring around them.
The City of Aiken Strategic Economic Development Action Plan, which was recently endorsed by Aiken City Council, discussed catalytic investments to establish an innovative district near USC Aiken. The Aiken Municipal Development Commission (AMDC) will spearhead the development of an Innovation and Impact district to capitalize upon imminent investments being made on and near the USC Aiken campus.
Innovation districts enable companies, entrepreneurs, workers, researchers and investors to work across disparate sectors and institutions to commercialize ideas and co-invent and co-produce new discoveries for the market. Innovation districts are typically physically compact, walkable, and packed with researchers, students, retail, affordable housing and popular eateries – basically everything you need to live, work and play all in one place. Innovation districts are attractive to early career professionals and could help Aiken attract and retain younger workers to the area.
“It has been a long-held dream to have a facility of this magnitude, a catalyst for innovation, built in Aiken,” said Jameson. “We were all excited when the funding was finally appropriated, but having the contract actually awarded, makes it real. We will certainly all be celebrating again when a shovel goes in the ground.”
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Regional investments and jobs
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Major economic announcements in the region will be the topic of the May First Friday Means Business.
Generac Power Systems, Inc., a leading global power and energy technology company serving the residential, commercial and industrial markets, recently announced plans to establish operations in Trenton, South Carolina. The company’s investment will create 450 new jobs.
Central States Manufacturing, Inc., a metal building components company is investing $13 million in Graniteville, South Carolina, and will create 70 new jobs.
The Generac and Central States Manufacturing projects will be discussed by Will Williams, president/CEO of Economic Development Partnership.
“A job is the greatest change agent in the world,” said Williams, who notes that every manufacturing job creates two more jobs in an ancillary business which is excellent news for the regional economy.
Robbie Bennett, executive director, Columbia County Development Authority will be on hand to brief attendees on Amazon’s recent land purchase. The retail giant recently purchased 47 acres to build an additional 278,000-square-foot sortation center in Columbia County, Georgia, less than a year after announcing the construction of a 600,000-square-foot distribution center.
The new Amazon sortation center will be near Appling, Georgia. Amazon sortation centers sort packages before sending them to delivery stations or last-mile delivery partners for final delivery to customers. The facility will employ hundreds of full-time and part-time employees.
In addition to the economic development presentations, attendees will also receive valuable information and updates from Aiken County, the City of Aiken, the Aiken Chamber and from the May First Friday Means Business sponsor Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
The monthly breakfast will occur Friday, May 7, at Newberry Hall from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Seating is limited, and social distancing and masks are required. Members that wish to attend must register in advance as we are unable to accommodate walk-ins.
Visit the calendar of events at aikenchamber.net to register. Further COVID precautions will be emailed to all attendees before the event.
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Welcome Neighbor digital campaign launched
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Every day the Aiken Chamber works to bring dollars into the community to support its members and the area economy. One of the recommendations in the City of Aiken Economic Development Action Plan is to increase public awareness of Aiken as a “Community of Choice.” The Aiken Chamber is taking on both of these action items in its latest marketing campaign, Welcome Neighbor.
Welcome Neighbor is a high-tech targeted marketing campaign designed by the internal marketing team of local entrepreneur and Aiken Chamber chair elect, Norman Dunagan of Dumpster Depot.
“The idea is to introduce, or reintroduce, residents in very specific areas to dining, shopping and enjoying Aiken,” said Dunagan. “The campaign is meant to attract folks looking for day trips or an evening or weekend away.”
The most obvious place to launch this campaign is in Columbia County, Georgia. It is among the top 100 fastest growing counties in the United States, at No. 75. It is the ninth fastest growing county in Georgia, and the fastest growing county in the Central Savannah River Area. Latest census estimates indicate the county has grown 30.5 percent since 2010 with a current estimated population of 161,988.
The Welcome Neighbor targeted marketing campaign aims to entice the large influx of new residents to visit, enjoy and spend their time AND their money in Aiken. The campaign started April 1 and will run for eight weeks. It will then be analyzed for effectiveness, adjusted and relaunched in other areas with high growth such as Beaufort and Lexington, South Carolina.
“We feel confident that once folks learn about Aiken, they will want to return again and again to enjoy it. This means more money being spent in Aiken businesses which benefits the business owners as well as all of Aiken’s tax base,” said Dunagan.
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One of the most anticipated parts of the Aiken Chamber’s Annual Gala is the presentation of the prestigious annual awards for Small and Large Business of the Year, and Man and Woman of the Year. This year was no exception.
The honored recipients this year are: Family Pharmacy, Security Federal Bank, Representative
Bill Clyburn and Dr. Sandra Jordan. They were recognized and celebrated at the gala held
April 23 at the Etherredge Center.
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Carney named Ambassador of the Year
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Kristi Carney, REALTOR® at Coldwell Banker Realty, accepts the Aiken Chamber’s 2020
Ambassador of the Year award.
Kristi exemplifies the characteristics of a truly dedicated volunteer. She goes above and beyond in everything she does whether it’s promoting new members and encouraging them to get involved or assisting the Chamber staff at events.
Thank you to the Aiken Chamber’s 2020 Ribbon Cutting Queen.
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One way to make sure Aiken has a strong foundation is to support our local business community, and it’s also important that they know we are supporting them. Taking from a Clemson tradition of using stamped $2 bills to show the economic impact of the team and its fans when they travel, the Aiken Chamber gave each attendee at its Annual Gala five $2 bills to spend locally. The bills are marked with a stamp saying Aiken Chamber Means Business. Watch for these bills in area businesses and remember to SHOP AIKEN!
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Systematech, Co. held a ribbon cutting on April 15 to celebrate the grand opening of its new Aiken office. Located at 640 Old Airport Rd., Systematech is a full-service IT firm offering training, recruiting and project management services. Jumpstart or advance your career in the IT field today. Just call (803) 474-4407. Pictured from left to right are: Aiken Chamber ambassador Sarah Schultz, Aiken Chamber of Commerce President/CEO J. David Jameson, Systematech,Co. President/CEO Ashley Felton, Systematech, Co. Office Manager Sarah Lutfi and Aiken Chamber ambassadors Bill Ferguson and Kristi Carney.
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803 Realty Aiken – Real Estate
Locally owned and operated boutique brokerage specializing in residential real estate. We focus on helping our clients sell their home faster, for more money, and less stress with a secret signature marketing system.
204 Silver Bluff Road
Aiken, SC 29803
Contact: Marcie Barfield
Phone: (803) 226-0099
Aiken At Home – Magazine
Hyper-local, quarterly magazine about the best place to live in the world – Aiken S.C. Features include local history, icons of the county, specialized articles on businesses, trends, horticulture and so much more.
Aiken, SC 29803
Contact: Maidi Thompson
Phone: (803) 649-4120
ESS – Education
ESS specializes in placing qualified staff in daily, long-term and permanent K-12 school district positions including substitute teachers, paraprofessionals and other school support staff.
1000 Brookhaven Drive
Aiken, SC 29803
Contact: Ericka Schoultz
Phone: (803) 240-0164
KAMO Total Janitorial Solutions – Janitorial Supplies
Providing lasting partnerships, solutions and products to ensure clean and healthy facilities, while supporting the communities we serve.
1326 Reynolds Street
Augusta, GA 30901
Contact: Dee Dee Kruilla
Phone: (706) 724-1488
Leonard Building & Truck Accessories – Automotive Accessories
Since 1963, Leonard has been synonymous with quality products and unique offerings that include: storage sheds manufactured in North Carolina, trailers manufactured in the USA, truck accessories that provide fit, function and style to ensure your truck is ready for work and stands out in the crowd. WE are the #1 LEER dealer in the U.S.
1172 East Pine Log Road
Aiken, SC 29803
Contact: Devin Wilder
Phone: (803) 335-2293
Mount Valley Foundation Services – Builders and Construction (Commercial & Residential)
Mount Valley Foundation Services is the oldest and most trusted foundation repair company serving South Carolina and North Carolina.
2110 Commerce Drive
Cayce, SC 29033
Contact: Brooke Stout McLendon
Phone: (803) 373-9690
repurposedMATERIALS – Builder and Construction Supplies
When a product has reached the end of its useful life in its primary industry, that does not mean it will have no other use. Rather than just tossing used materials into a landfill, repurposing is all about finding innovative ways to make use of these materials. What will you come up with?
70 State Street
Williston, SC 29853
Contact: Damon Carson
Phone: (803) 266-2350
Turner Development, LLC – Developer
Turner Development LLC (TDL) is a development company serving clients through acquisition and construction of private and government properties including new commercial and multifamily structures.
Washington, DC 2002
Contact: Tracey Turner
Phone: (202) 288-2128
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