Exciting Growth Ahead for Aiken County
Hey there, Aiken! It’s been a buzzworthy week for our lovely county as the Aiken County Planning Commission gathered on December 19 to discuss some interesting projections and plans for the future. With a gorgeous winter day marked by plentiful sunshine and a mild high of 52°F, it certainly set a positive tone for the meeting!
Population and Job Growth: What’s on the Horizon?
During the meeting, Jackie Peters and Jessica Rossi from Kimley-Horn and Associates shared some pretty amazing statistics. The county’s population, which is currently estimated to be around 176,000, could soar to between 183,200 and 202,300 by the year 2044! That’s a significant increase that highlights how our community is becoming more attractive to new residents.
But that’s not all! The report also mentioned a potential rise in job opportunities, predicting an increase from about 49,747 jobs today to a whopping 57,900 to 63,900 jobs in the next 20 years. The industries expected to lead this charge include manufacturing, accommodation and food services, as well as health care, retail trade, and professional services. Looks like Aiken is becoming a hotbed for job seekers!
Housing and Retail: Boom Town, Here We Come!
As our population grows, so too does the need for housing and retail spaces. The projections indicated that Aiken County could support up to 13,600 new housing units, along with over 1.4 million square feet of new retail space! Imagine that—more stores, shops, and eateries to choose from!
On the office space front, we might see about 655,900 square feet of new office space. And if you’re a fan of local hotels, you’ll be excited to know that there may be up to 530 new hotel rooms coming our way!
What’s Next? Engaging with the Community
Joel Duke, the county’s chief planning officer, discussed the **Comprehensive Plan**, which is a crucial document required by state law every decade. This plan is set to cover the years 2024 to 2034 and will help outline goals and objectives for our community’s growth. The planning commission is hard at work developing this plan, which will then be presented to County Council for further review.
To make sure resident voices are heard, the Planning Commission has scheduled four public information meetings in early 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to share your thoughts and concerns! Here are the details:
- Roy Warner Park: 6021 Roy Warner Park Lane, Wagener on Jan. 14.
- Aiken Senior Life Services: 1310 E. Pine Log Road on Jan. 22.
- Gregg Park Civic Center: 1001 A Avenue, Graniteville on Jan. 27.
- North Augusta Community Center: 495 Brookside Avenue on Jan. 28.
Looking for more information? Head on over to the official Aiken County website under News Updates for all the scoop on the Comprehensive Plan.
Upcoming Zoning Requests on the Table
On the same day as the planning discussion, the commission also voted 5-0 to recommend denying a request for a zoning change for a property at 121 Coward Road. Grady Roe wanted to shift the zoning from Residential Conservation to Limited Development for his landscaping business. However, numerous neighbors voiced their opposition, citing concerns like noise, traffic, and potential drops in property value.
It’s clear that Aiken County is on an exciting path of growth and development, and everyone’s input is vital to ensure it benefits us all. So, be sure to mark your calendars for those public meetings and get involved in shaping our future!
