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COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

FOR THE CATAWBA REGION

Prepared by Cata nts wba Regional Council of Governme

P. O. Box 450, Rock Hill, SC 29731 September 2010

CATAWBA REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS BOARD MEMBERS

Chester County: Robbie King-Boyd, Citizen-at-Large Representative Joe Branham, Chester County Council Mitchell B. Foster, Mayor, City of Chester R. Carlisle Roddey, Supervisor, Chester County

Lancaster County: Rudy L. Carter, Chair, Lancaster County Council Larry Honeycutt, Lancaster County Council John P. Howard, Lancaster City Council

Polly C. Jackson, Citizen-at-Large Representative Russell F. Patrick, Citizen-at-Large Representative Ann S. Taylor, Mayor, Town of Heath Springs

Union County: Charles D. Johnson, Citizen-at-Large Representative Dora T. Martin, Union County Council Thomas L. Sinclair, Supervisor, Union County Harold E. Thompson, Mayor, City of Union

York County: Roy Blake, York County Council John Dervay, Tega Cay City Council A. Doug Echols, Mayor, City of Rock Hill

Danny P. Funderburk, Mayor, Town of Fort Mill Donnie Grice, Mayor, Town of Clover Lonnie Harvey, Jr., Citizen-at-Large Representa

sentative tive

Sigmon Huitt, Citizen-at-Large RepreJ. Edward Lee, Mayor, City of York

Council Houston O. Motz, Chair, York County Kathy Pender, Rock Hill City Council Donald Rodgers, Citizen-at-Large Representative

e Representative Greg F. Rutherford, Citizen-at-LargTom Smith, York County Council

obert Youngblood, Citizen-at-Large Representative R

x-Officio: es E Michael A. Anthony, SC House of Representatives F. Greg Delleney, SC House of Representativ

Herbert Kirsh, SC House of Representatives James M. Neal, SC House of Representatives Eldridge R. Emory, Past Chairman, Ex-Officio

Table of Contents

Page Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 Description of District Organization .................................................................................... 3 CEDS Committee.................................................................................................................. 7 Regional Economic Analysis................................................................................................ 10 Updated Census and Economic Data ................................................................................... 16 Public/Private Partnerships ................................................................................................... 37 CEDS Goals and Objectives for the Catawba Region........................................................... 38 Strategic Projects, Programs and Activities........................................................................... 40 CEDS Plan of Action ............................................................................................................. 41 Regional Performance Evaluation .......................................................................................... 42 Review of Accomplishments and Activities ......................................................................... 44 Proposed Capital Improvement Projects ................................................................................ 50 Letters of Concurrence ........................................................................................................... 70

List of Tables Page

1) Population by County, Region and State, 1980-2007.................................................... 16 2) Percentage Population Change by County, Region and State, 1970-2007.................... 17 3) Age Distribution by County and Region, 2000 ............................................................. 18 4) Percentage of Population by Age Distribution by County and Region, 2000 ............... 19 5) Racial Mix by County, Region and State, 1990-2000 ................................................... 20 6) Percentage of Population by Racial Mix by County, Region and State, 1990-2000...................................................................................... 21 7) Educational Attainment by County, Region and State, 2000 ........................................ 22 8) Percentage of Population by Educational Attainment by County, Region and State, 2000 ............................................................................................... 23 9) Per Capita Income by County, Region and State (Current Dollars), 1979-2007 ................................................................................................................... 24 10) Per Capita Income by County, Region and State (Constant 1999 Dollars), 1969-2000 ................................................................................................................... 24 11) Employment by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000........................................ 25-26 12) Percentage of Workforce Employed by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000 ................................................................................................................... 27-28 13) Employment by Place of Work by County, Region and State, 1980-2000 ................... 29-30 14) Percentage of Workforce Employed by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000 .................................................................................................................... 31-32 15) Average Weekly Wage Rates by Industry for Non-Agricultural Employees for the Year 2000 .................................................................................... 33 16) Persons Below Poverty Level by County, Region and State, 1969-1999...................... 34 17) Percentage of Population Below Poverty Level by County, Region and State, 1969-2000......................................................................................................... 34 18) Persons of Low to Moderate Income by County, 1990 .................................................. 34 19) Labor Force Data for the Year 2008............................................................................... 35 20) Capital Investment by County, Region and State by Decade, 1970-1999...................... 35 21) County as Share of Region and Region as Share of State, 1970-1999............................ 35 22) New Job Creation by County, Region and State by Decade, 1970-1999 ........................ 36

3) County as Share of Region and Region as Share of State, 1970-1999............................ 36 2

List of Figures

Page ) Map of Catawba Region ................................................................................................ 2 1

INTRODUCTION

This document presents the most recent update to the region’s Comprehensive Economic

Development Strategy (CEDS). The CEDS is a formalized planning process developed by the

federal Economic Development Administration to promote an areawide assessment of economic

trends and infrastructure needs within multi-county districts such as the Catawba Region.

The CEDS also reviews the various programs and activities of Catawba Regional Council

of Governments in promoting economic progress within the district. In addition, this document

contains a current listing as of September 2010 of needed capital improvement projects within

the region.

Background

The Catawba Region is an area that encompasses the four South Carolina counties of

Chester, Lancaster, Union, and York (Figure 1). Economic potential in this region is promising,

due largely to the fact that location, existing development, labor force, educational institutions,

and natural and cultural resources provide a sound foundation for economic growth. In order to

take advantage of this potential and alleviate persistent problems with low-income levels and

unstable employment patterns, a mutual effort is needed from both public and private sectors.

Local governments working together through a coordinated economic district planning program

is an important step in this direction.

3

M A P

3

DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT ORGANIZATION

The Catawba Regional Council of Governments (CRCOG) is one of ten regional councils

in South Carolina. Established in 1971, the Council serves Chester, Lancaster, Union, and York

counties.

Catawba Regional is a Council of Governments since more than half of its 32-person

governing body consists of local government elected officials primarily from city and county

councils. All Board members are appointed by either the respective county councils in

accordance with a membership formula or the county legislative delegations. The Council Board

oversees a twenty-three person staff with varied backgrounds in planning, economic and

community development and finance.

The Catawba Regional Council of Governments serves local governments and

communities in many ways. Through use of the Council, local governments:

(1) Pool resources to support an organization with a professionally trained staff,

thereby avoiding the need for retaining some permanent local staff or consultants.

(2) Obtain and administer federal and state grants.

(3) Have a forum through which to meet and exchange ideas.

(4) Promote economic development and community plans.

(5) Influence state and federal program funding decisions.

In 1976, the Catawba Regional Council of Governments was designated an Economic

Development District by the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Participation in this program has enabled local governments within the four counties to avail

themselves of regional planning assistance for economic development as well as insuring access

to EDA's grant assistance programs. These grant funds, in combination with other local financial

4

resources, have helped this region develop some of the necessary facilities and infrastructure

upon which current growth relies.

Catawba Regional Council of Governments is continuing its program of economic

development to assist the region in addressing the economic challenges identified in the adopted

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Although the economic outlook is

expected to improve, various sections of the region still experience high rates of unemployment,

low per capita income, inadequate labor force educational levels, the lack of diversified

economic bases, and the need for infrastructure and industrial park improvements.

Major areas of activity during the year have included:

Planning and Community Development. This service helps to identify community needs,

prepares grant applications, and provides grants management for approved Community

Development projects. Staff also serves as contract staff or project manager for municipal and

county planning related projects.

Economic Development. The Council promotes economic development through

technical planning, obtaining state and federal grants for local governments, assisting county

economic development organizations, and providing gap business financing to promote job

creation and capital formation.

Revolving Loan Fund. Catawba Regional's EDA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) provides

gap financing to businesses for buildings, equipment and working capital as a means to stimulate

job creation. Loans are packaged to work in conjunction with private lender financing. Interest

rates on RLF loans may be lower than market rates and flexible repayment terms are offered.

The RLF loan program is capitalized by grants from the federal Economic Development

Administration with matching funds from the South Carolina Governor's Office and the South

5

Carolina Budget and Control Board.

Development Corporation. In 1983, the Council of Governments established a regional

development corporation to help small businesses and industries better utilize programs of the

Small B usiness Administration (SBA), especially the 504 low-interest, long-term loan program.

Census Information. The Council of Governments serves as a state designated Affiliate

U. S. Census Data Center. In this capacity, it responds to numerous inquiries from agencies and

individuals about census information, especially population factors and forecasts.

Management, Technical Assistance, Information Dissemination, and Project

Coordination. This service provides management and technical assistance to local governments

and agencies for many community needs. The Council also distributes timely information about

grant programs through agency newsletters, reports, and news articles. The Council serves

state recognized clearinghouse to

as a

insure that local governments and agencies know about

planned state or federal projects.

Workforce Investment Act. On July 1, 2000, the Council became the program

administrator for the Workforce Investment Act in Chester, Lancaster and York counties. To

achieve the goals of the Act, the Council has contracted with the Department of Employm

Workforce to provide a “One Stop” service center designed to help applicants find jobs.

Contracts with York Technical College and Carolina Community Actions allow for more

ent and

intensi ent.

tinues working with the

Communities in Schools program to help prevent school dropout.

ve services, such as job training, to be provided to the underskilled seeking employm

Also as a part of its WIA responsibilities, Council staff con

6

GIS. The Council of Governments has developed a Geographic Information System

capability using ESRI's ArcInfo software along with other associated hardware.

The database for this system greatly enhances the ability of the Council to assist local

governments in their planning and economic development decision making.

Recreation. The Council helps communities plan for and identify recreation needs and

prepare grant applications.

Historic Preservation. The Council has assisted the various local governments with the

nomination of sites for the National Register of Historic Places for Archives Development

grants. Transportation. Council staff continues to work on a variety of transportation related

program

” and the Carolina

Thread

s for the region including the development of a State Multi-modal Plan. Staff also

continues to develop various transportation studies for local governments.

Finally, staff are involved in multi-state projects such as “CONNECT

Trail which involve a number of counties in the Charlotte Metropolitan Region. Council

staff along with staff from Centralina Council of Governments in Charlotte have applied to HUD

for a grant to conduct a regional visioning process that will promote sustainable communities.

7

COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY COMMITTEE

This year’s CEDS document was assembled with the input of a variety of persons and

organizations who are involved in economic development at either the local, regional or state

level. This group identified the factors that impede economic development within the region and

have developed ongoing strategies for overcoming these obstacles.

The Catawba Region’s CEDS Strategy Committee consisted of the following members:

Marvin Starks, Chairman Nibrol Sharon Blackburn Lancaster County Economic Development Mark Cable Abitibi-Bowater, Inc. Karen Craig Schaeffler Group USA, Inc. Monica Craig Phillips Staffing Teresa Curtice York County Economic Dev. Corp. Diana Eastep 3D Systems Corporation Dean Faile Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce Lonnie Harvey Jesclon Group Dennis Hemphill Allvac-Richburg Don Janus Atotech USA, Inc. Dennis Joiner Chester County DSS Tom Kellerhals Westminister Group Walter Kellogg Carolina Community Actions, Inc.

Kristin Malbasa McClean Power Systems Ritchie Monteith Abitibi-Bowater, Inc. Kevin Mullinix Hella Corporate Center USA, Inc. Kathleen Powell Proctor & Gamble-Duracell Michael Rallings Abitibi-Bowater, Inc. Annie Reid Rock Hill Employment Security Commission Paul Simpson AMP/Tyco Electronics Carolyn Stewart, PhD York Technical College Tim Stowe Tri-District Adult Ed Kathy Tinney AARP Senior Employment Services Barry Waddell SC Vocational Rehabilitation Phyllis Williams SC Indian Development Council, Inc. Joan Winters Attorney-at-Law Jerry Witherspoon Lancaster Housing Authority

8

In addition to the Strategy Committee, the regional strategies to promote economic

development were approved by the Council of Governments Board and a variety of key players

in the economic development arena. In all, this group included the following members:

Local Elected Officials Municipal and County Government Administrators and Managers Department of Social Services Staff Public Schools Administrators Local Economic Development Recruiting Staff Local Businessmen and Businesswomen The Strategy Committee identified the following factors as continuing major

impediments to economic development in the region. They are:

1) The need to continue diversification of the region’s manufacturing base to safeguard against a continually changing economic climate and to replace jobs lost particularly in the textile manufacturing area.

2) The need to further upgrade the skills of displaced workers.

3) The need to continue to upgrade the quality of education in the region’s

public schools.

4) The need to provide a wider range of affordable housing opportunities.

5) The need to expand and upgrade the public infrastructure and transportation systems.

6) The need to provide job opportunities that result in higher wages and per

capita income.

7) The need to redevelop abandoned former textile mill sites and their surrounding mill villages.

8) The need to economically revitalize community downtown and center city

areas that have lost business to suburban shopping malls and commercial areas.

The following strategies have been employed to overcome these obstacles and

to promote economic development:

- To expand the local infrastructure of the region, including water and sewer

9

s systems, affordable housing, recreation sites and other public facilities.

- n

Fund, SBA’s 504 Program and USDA’s Intermediary Relending Program.

- sistance, such as participating in local strategic planning

processes.

- urage public/private sector partnerships in economic development efforts.

- s upon

requests from local governments or agencies within the region.

-

nd ives such as the Environmental

Protection Agency Brownfields Program.

- urism, export businesses, and defense related procurement

opportunities.

- of ional Development Corporation in

economic development activities.

-

increase training opportunities for adults and non-traditional students.

- chnology the local economy, particularly to the loss of

-

rtainment/arts/

services, transportation facilities, telecommunication

To assist in the financing of new businesses and the retention and expansioof existing businesses, through such programs as EDA’s Revolving Loan

To assist local planning and economic development programs throughtechnical as

To enco

To undertake special economic research and development studie

To assist local governments in economic development and industrial development-related activities. This includes helping to secure federal assistance, such as EDA grant financing, Rural Development Administration grant/loan funds, HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), aother economic development related initiat

To expand and broaden the local economy through such activities as the promotion of to

To increase the awareness and usage of the Catawba Regional Council Governments and the Catawba Reg

To sponsor job training and retraining programs through the federal Workforce Investment Act. To develop additional labor force data regarding the skills, experience and availability of local workers and to

To create competitive strategies for responding to the impacts of teand globalization on manufacturing jobs.

To assist with increasing the quality of life in the region’s communities to attract and retain the “creative class” of young workers through investments in higher and continuing education, historic preservation, enteculture, sports/tourism and alternative transportation options.

10

- To assist with th tes through grant support for environmental, historical, and market assessment activities.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC ANALYSIS

The counties in the Catawba Region will continue to make long-term economic gains as

they diversify their previously textile dominated manufacturing bases and expand their services

and wholesale/retail sectors. While the recent recession had a significant negative effect on both

employment and economic development, the outlook for economic expansion over the long term

is positive because of the proximity of Charlotte, NC which has national drawing power (for

Chester, Lancaster and York counties) and Spartanburg, SC (for Union County). The economic

situation in the region will continue to improve as new investments create jobs lost by the

manufacturing sector. The region offers many incentives to potential new investments including

a seasonal climate, better than average public educational opportunities in most areas, first rate

transportation infrastructure including an international airport in nearby Charlotte, venues for

major league sports and other cultural opportunities, and an available workforce with a major

technical college presence in Chester, Union and York counties offering a variety of technical

training programs. Lancaster and Union counties also have two year University of South

Carolina Campuses, while Winthrop University is located in York County. A greater level of

intergovernmental cooperation both within the region and the region’s respective metropolitan

areas further supplement the physical, cultural and geographic advantages of the region.

Despite the economic progress made, some lingering problems persist. One of the

legacies of the region’s reliance on the textile industry is the unemployed labor force who must

be retrained to have sufficient skills to acquire new jobs outside the textile arena. Another

problem is lagging income levels compared to state and national averages. This income deficit is

another legacy of the generally low paying jobs offered by textile employers. To combat these

e redevelopment of abandoned industrial si

11

em

ady

rs and further diversification of the region’s

mploy

s

o

-term outlook for this cluster is positive given

acing

ontinue to expand. The region’s original

d to

r employer within the region.

problems, the Council of Governments through its Workforce Investment Act program has

aggressively partnered with local agencies such as York Technical College and Carolina

Community Action to provide displaced workers with the necessary retraining in order for th

to compete for newer higher paying jobs requiring more skills. Now that the economic ravages

of the decline of the textile industry is nearly complete, the region is poised to make ste

improvements to its economy as the national economy improves. Continued intergovernmental

cooperation, retraining of displaced worke

e ment base will lead to enhanced higher wage job opportunities for workers and economic

growth for the region over the long term.

The Catawba Region continues to have one major economic cluster. The cluster include

a variety of allied industries involved in the manufacture or distribution of various types of aut

parts and supplies. All four of the region’s counties have investments that are included within

this cluster, such as Arvin Meritor, American Eagle Wheel and Hella Lighting. The Gestamp

Automotive plant in Union County is the latest example of this type of industry. Despite recent

issues in the domestic automotive sector, the long

the location of BMW in Spartanburg County, and the proximity of a number of NASCAR r

teams and major trucking companies in the area.

The region also has a smaller economic cluster of petrochemical manufacturer and

supply companies. This cluster also should c

economic cluster, the textile industry, has been in rapid decline and has virtually cease

exist as a majo

Following is a more detailed analysis of the economics in each of the region’s

four counties.

12

tte-Mecklenburg. One area of concern in the

county h,

ill

se

ed

ry

e

oyment base and the expansion of their wholesale/retail

and ser

wer unemployment rate.

of the

As expected, York County continues to experience the largest increase in population.

Current estimates put the county’s population at over 227,003 in 2009, compared to 164,614 in

2000. The County's proximity and connection via Interstate 77 and U. S. Highway 321 to the

rapidly growing Charlotte-Mecklenburg metropolitan area insures continued future growth.

Infrastructure expansions, particularly in the Fort Mill Township and around the City of Rock

Hill, have created additional opportunities for York County to benefit from the residential and

economic development spillover from Charlo

is that new commercial and industrial growth is not keeping pace with residential growt

thus creating an imbalance in the local tax base. The imbalance is most obvious in the Fort M

Township and the area around Lake Wylie.

Between 2000 and 2009, Lancaster County has grown at a substantial rate, though at a

less accelerated rate than York County. Although official projections show Chester County

losing substantial population, staff at the Council of Governments expects the County to

experience minimal population decline based on building permit trends while Union County’s

population continues a trend of population loss that started in 1990. Employment in all of the

counties is still dominated by the manufacturing industry. While all three counties have attract

new industrial investment, these gains have not yet offset losses suffered by the textile indust

during the 1980s, 1990s, and into the 2000s. One of the major goals of these counties is th

diversification of their industrial empl

vice sectors. The diversification of the industrial employment base and expansion of

other key employment sectors is more advanced in York County which contributes to the

County's lo

It is noteworthy that EDA funding of key capital improvement projects in all four

13

cularly in the

Richbu e

cent

pgrade

growth. Several thousand residential lots

9

d sewer infrastructure

o

er also

onal

region’s counties has helped to offset the continuing loss of manufacturing jobs to the local

economy.

In Chester County, the continued expansion of manufacturing, parti

rg area near the economically important I-77/ S.C. Highway 9 interchange, has helped th

county begin to recover some of the thousands of jobs it has lost in the textile industry in re

years. The Chester Sewer District has now completed construction on an EDA funded u

to its Lando Wastewater Treatment Plant which serves the Richburg area.

Lancaster County, which also is contiguous to Charlotte-Mecklenburg, has experienced

rapid growth in its northern Indianland area and in and around the City of Lancaster. The

availability of water and sewer in the County along U. S. Highway 521 which connects

Lancaster to Charlotte are two likely reasons for this

have been approved and are under development in this area including those in a Del Webb “Sun

City” development. In addition, the County has other excellent routes such as S. C. Highway

which connects Lancaster to Chester and intersects with Interstate 77, thus providing access to

the Charlotte (NC) and Columbia (SC) metro areas.

Lancaster County Water and Sewer District has extended water an

into the Catawba Ridge development along the shores of the Fishing Creek Reservoir in the

southwestern part of the County. Catawba Ridge is a mixed-use development that is expected t

generate hundreds of new residential units, a business park, and industrial sites. Despite the

current economic climate, some residential development is taking place.

The possibility for continued economic growth in and around the City of Lancast

looks promising. The Lancaster Business Park has attracted several industries with additi

lots available for development, and the City continues to expand its existing industrial base as

14

s.

e

Highway

r to locate in the Union Industrial Park along

hway 176. Currently, a community college facility has now been completed using

EDA fu

ts

evidenced by proposed expansion at Metso Power and Duracell which have led to an EDA

project funding the upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant’s effluent pump station.

Union County has the potential to benefit economically from its direct linkage to

Spartanburg, South Carolina, via U. S. Highway 176 which has been widened to four lane

Proposed improvements in infrastructure and roads in the County are making it more attractiv

to industrial clients. The County has expanded its industrial park adjacent to the U.S.

176 corridor and has entered into joint industrial park agreements with neighboring counties to

increase the tax credits the County can offer. Gestamp Automotive, a major auto parts supplier

for the BMW facility, is the latest employe

U.S. Hig

nding to provide the high tech robotics training needed by Gestamp workers.

In York County, the City of York is currently constructing needed improvements to i

wastewater treatment plant that will result in increased capacity to serve American Eagle Wheel,

the Filtration Group and MacLean Power.

Income

Although income levels have risen in the Catawba Region in recent years, three of the

region’

ade

significant income gains since the 1980s on a countywide basis, and per capita income is now

above the State average. However, there are still areas within the County which fall below this

level.

The generally low-income levels show that the region's economy still lags behind State

standards. It also reflects lower educational levels and an inadequately skilled labor force.

s four counties remain below the 2008 State per capita income averages of $31,799

(see Table 9). All four counties trail the U. S. 2008 average of $39,138. York County has m

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The SC Act 388 has changed the funding structure from K-12 education and this is having a

negative effect on all school districts in the region.

Employment

One of the major goals of all four counties in the Catawba Region is economic

diversification. Job losses and cutbacks in the manufacturing industry (the textile industry in

particular) have shown the economic problems which can be created by over-dependence on one

employment source. An analysis of employment statistics for the region shows that the

manufacturing industry (both durable and non-durable goods) still supplies the majority of jobs

in Chester, Lancaster, and Union counties. However, all three of these counties have

experienced job increases in the service sector since 2000 based on data from the SC Department

of Employment and Workforce (DEW).

In York County, the manufacturing sector is no longer the leading employment sector but

still contains a significant portion of the jobs available within the County. The trade,

transportation and utility sectors of the economy have grown considerably since the 1980s and

now offer the majority of jobs available in York County. It should be noted the financial

services jobs have increased significantly, primarily related to the county proximity to Charlotte,

a national center of bank and finance.

The dominance of manufacturing employment in Chester, Lancaster and Union

counties as opposed to the more balanced employment in York County also is reflected in the

2009 annual unemployment rate for each county. Chester, Lancaster, and Union counties all

had rates (20.5%; 17.9%; and 19.9%, respectively) higher than the State average (11.7%).

Unemployment data for the first half of 2010 shows that the rate has changed little and will

probably stay near 20% for Chester, Lancaster and Union counties. After many years of

16

g.

ds will help to meet this goal by making the region attractive to various

To follow are a variety of r tics for the region.

identified and discussed. Since that

time, some new socio-economic data has been released.

Table 1: Population by Cou egion and St 80-2009

County 1980 1990 2000 2009

having an unemployment rate that was lower than the State’s, York County’s 2009

unemployment rate of 14.2% once again exceeded the State average. It should be expected

that as long as jobs are concentrated in only a few industry sectors, then such sectors remain

vulnerable to recession in the national economy such as the nation is currently experiencin

Counties in the Catawba Region are actively promoting strategies to help develop a more

diversified economic base. Projects aimed at renovation, expansion or new construction of

infrastructure and roa

types of employers.

elevant socio-economic statis

UPDATED CENSUS AND

ECONOMIC DATA

In the last CEDS update published by the Council of Governments (September 2009),

demographic characteristics on the Catawba Region were

nty, R ate, 19

Chester 30,148 32,170 34,068 32,410

Lancaster 53,361 54,516 61,351 77,767

Union 30,751 30,337 29,881 27,362

York 106,720 131,497 164,614 227,003

Region 220,980 248,520 289,914 364,542

State 3,120,729 3,486,703 4,012,012 4,561,242

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population for selected years.

17

Table 2: Percentage Population Change by County, Region and State,

70-200

1970-1980 1980-1990 1990-2000

2000-2009

19 7

County

Chester 1.1% 6.7% 5.9% -4.8%

Lancaster 2 +3.2% 2.2% 12.5% 26.8%

Union 5.2% -1.3% -1.5% -8.4%

York 25.2% 23.2% 25.2% +37.9%

Region 17.8% 12.5% 16.7% +25.7%

State 20.5% 11.7% 15.1% +13.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population for selected years.

Table 3: Age Distribution by County and Region, 2000

Age Chester Lancaster Union

0-17 9,167 15,605 7,126

18-24 2,971 5,262 2,439

25-44 9,621 18,562 8,348

45-54 4,769 8,547 4,212

55-64 3,223 5,962 3,086

65+ 4,317 7,413 4,670

1 18

12

Age York Region

0-17 43,284 75,182

18-24 15,557 26,229

25-44 51,123 87,704

45-54 22,960 46,488

55-64 14,618 26,889

65+ 17,072 33,472

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population, 2000.

Table 4: Percentage of Population by Age Distribution by County and Region, 2000

Age Chester Lancaster Union

0-17 26.9% 25.4% 23.8%

18-24 8.7% 8.6% 8.2%

25-44 28.2% 30.3% 28.1%

45-54 14.0% 13.9% 14.1%

55-64 9.5% 9.7% 10.3%

65+ 12.7% 12.1% 15.5%

19

Age York Region

0-17 26.3% 25.9%

18-24 9.5% 9.1%

25-44 31.1% 30.2%

45-54 13.9% 14.0%

55-64 8.9% 9.3%

65+ 10.3% 11.5%

Table 5: Racial Mix ty, Region and State, 1990-2000

ster aster on

by Coun

Che Lanc Uni

90 000 990 000 90 000

Hispanic origin (of any race) 80 255 212 978 69 199

White 19,178 20,304 40,536 43,245 2 21,176 0,155

Black 12,8 13, 13,8 16, 9,0 9,252 109 20 397 82 47

American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut 171 04 61 130 26 43

Race 19 2 1 2 19 2

Asian or Pacific Islander 36 98 64 163 38 62

rk gion ate Yo Re St

990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000

Hispanic origin (of any race) 735 3,220 1,096 4,652 30,551 95,076

White 1 1 1 203,515 27,162 84,405 10,866 2,406,974 2,652,291

Black 26, 3 62, 7 1,03 1,1349 1,380 103 0,133 9,884 78,486

American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut 785 1,359 943 1,636 8,246 12,756

Asian or Pacific Islander 680 1,481 1,804 22,382 36,838818

Race 1

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population, 1990, 2000.

20

Table 6: Percentage of Population by Racial Mix by County, Region and State, 1990-2000

Chester Lancaster Union Race 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000

Hispanic origin (of any race) 0.2% 2.0% 0.4% 0.7% 0.2% 1.6%

White 59.5% 76.4% 74.1% 59.6% 69.7% 70.5%

Black 39.9% 19.1% 25.3% 38.5% 29.9% 26.7%

American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut 0.2% 0.8% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.2%

Asian or Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.9% 0.1% 0.3% 0.1% 0.3% 21

York Region State Race 1990 2000 1990 2000 1990 2000

Hispanic origin (of any race) 0.6% 0.7% 0.4% 2.6% 0.9% 2.4%

White 78.4% 67.5% 73.9% 56.0% 68.6% 66.1%

Black 20.0% 30.9% 24.9% 39.5% 29.6% 29.4%

American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut 0.6% 0.1% 0.4% 0.9% 0.2% 0.3%

Asian or Pacific Islander 0.5% 0.2% 0.3% 1.0% 0.6% 0.9%

Table 7: Educational Attainment by County, Region and State, 2000

Attainment Level Chester Lancaster Union York Region State

Less than 9th grade 2,426 4,232 2,724 8,177 17,559 215,776

Complete 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 4,817 7,997 3,962 15,888 32,664 398,503

High school graduate 7,962 14,447 7,361 30,127 59,897 778,054

Some college, no degree 3,533 7,058 3,057 21,842 35,490 500,194

Associate degree 1,198 2,657 1,136 7,610 12,601 173,428

Bachelor's degree 1,355 2,742 1,347 14,945 20,839 351,526

Graduate or professional degree 752 1,387 635 7,168 9,942 178,529

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population, for selected years.

22

Table 8: Percentage of Population by Educational Attainment by County, Region and State, 2000

Attainment Level Chester Lancaster Union York Region State

Less than 9th grade 11.0% 10.4% 13.5% 7.7% 10.7% 8.3%

Complete 9th to 12th grade, no diploma 21.9% 19.7% 19.6% 15.0% 19.1% 15.4%

High school graduate 36.1% 35.7% 36.4% 28.5% 34.2% 30.0%

Some college, no degree 16.0% 17.4% 15.1% 20.7% 17.3% 19.3%

Associate degree 5.4% 6.6% 5.6% 7.2% 6.2% 6.7%

Bachelor's degree 6.1% 6.8% 6.7% 14.1% 8.4% 13.5%

Graduate or professional degree 3.4% 3.4% 3.1% 6.8% 4.2% 6.9%

23


Table 9: Per Capita Income

1979

Chester 6,720

Lancaster 7,436

Union 6,640

York 8,229

Region 7,611

State 7,558

Nation 10,183 Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population for selecte* US Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis 24 Table 10: Per Capita Income by

County 1969

Chester 11,530

Lancaster 13,249

Union 11,867

York 13,222

Region 12,748

State 13,329

Nation 18,522 1Adjusted using Consumer Price Index, U.S. Department of La

by County, Region and State (Current Dollars), 1979-2008*

1989 1999 2008 11,934 18,215 27,856

13,782 20,150 23,102

11,917 16,373 27,874

16,851 24,574 32,203

14,939 22,045 28,009

15,106 23,538 31,799

19,584 28,546 39,138 d years.

, Regional Accounts Data, 2007

County, Region and State (Constant 1999 Dollars)1 , 1969-1999

1979 1989 1999

15,088 15,687 18,215

16,695 18,117 20,150

14,908 15,665 16,373

18,476 22,151 24,574

17,087 19,638 22,045

16,969 19,857 23,538

23,283 26,217 28,546

bor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Table 11: Employment by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000

Chester Lancaster Union Industry

1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 241 327 198 339 459 304 173 152 175

Mining 20 17 * 15 103 * 20 11 *

Construction 646 901 1,169 1,432 2,054 2,662 609 739 843

Manufacturing 6,891 6,082 4,746 14,767 11,249 9,107 8,047 6,734 4,880

Transportation, communication and other public utilities 590 877 763 900 963 1,032 473 490 540

Wholesale trade and retail trade 1,793 2,282 2,149 3,161 4,539 4,748 1,447 1,991 1,524

Finance, insurance, and real estate 221 489 407 707 960 1,348 381 391 466

Services 2,334 2,990 4,598 3,878 4,194 7,641 2,525 2,708 3,742

Public administration 368 365 456 416 509 849 280 512 586

Total Employment 13,104 14,330 14,486 25,615 25,030 27,691 13,955 13,728 12,756


*Included with Agriculture for 2000.

24 25

Table 11: Employment by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000 (Cont’d)

York Region State Industry

1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 421 916 496 1,174 1,854 1,173 34,564 35,140 20,785

Mining 84 92 * 139 223 * 2,435 2,353 *

Construction 3,588 5,351 6,437 6,275 9,045 11,111 95,206 127,294 150,608

Manufacturing 19,966 20,399 17,475 49,671 44,464 36,208 430,065 411,561 354,386

Transportation, communication and other public utilities 3,977 5,128 5,078 5,890 7,458 7,413 76,015 97,399 91,698


Finance, insurance, and real estate 1,804 3,382 4,841 3,113 5,222 6,662 57,429 81,912 102,764

Services 10,408 16,711 28,715 19,145 26,603 44,696 237,584 319,730 702,115

Public administration 1,158 1,570 2,142 2,222 2,956 4,033 55,800 71,434 85,683

Total Employment 49,303 67,039 79,347 101,977 120,127 134,065 1,319,970 1,603,425 1,786,146


*Included with agriculture for 2000.

26

Table 12: Percentage of Workforce Employed by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000

Chester Lancaster UnionIndustry

1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 1.8% 2.3% 1.3% 1.3% 1.8% 1.1% 1.2% 1.1% 1.4%

Mining 0.2% 0.1% 0% 0.1% 0.4% 0% 0.1% 0.1% 0%

Construction 4.9% 6.3% 7.9% 5.6% 8.2% 9.5% 4.4% 5.4% 6.5%

Manufacturing 52.6% 42.4% 32.1% 57.6% 44.9% 32.4% 57.7% 49.1% 37.8%

Transportation, communication and other public utilities 4.5% 6.1% 5.2% 3.5% 3.8% 3.7% 3.4% 3.6% 4.2%

Wholesale trade and retail trade 13.7% 15.9% 14.5% 12.3% 18.1% 16.9% 10.4% 14.5% 11.8%

Finance, insurance, and real estate 1.7% 3.4% 2.8% 2.8% 3.8% 4.8% 2.7% 2.8% 3.6%

Services 17.8% 20.9% 31.1% 15.1% 16.8% 27.2% 18.1% 19.7% 29.1%

Public administration 2.8% 2.5% 3.1% 1.6% 2.0% 3.0% 2.0% 3.7% 4.5%


27

Table 12: Percentage of Workforce Employed by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000 (Co

York RegionIndustry

1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000 1980

Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries 0.9% 1.4% 0.6% 1.2% 1.5% 1.1% 2.6%

Mining 0.2% 0.1% 0% 0.1% 0.2% 0% 0.2%

Construction 7.3% 8.0% 7.9% 6.2% 7.5% 7.6% 7.2%

Manufacturing 40.5% 30.4% 21.4% 48.7% 37.0% 30.9% 32.6%

Transportation, communication and other public utilities 8.0% 7.6% 6.2% 5.8% 6.2% 4.8% 5.8%

Wholesale trade and retail trade 16.1% 20.1% 17.4% 14.1% 18.6% 15.2% 18.0%

Finance, insurance, and real estate 3.7% 5.0% 5.9% 3.1% 4.3% 4.3% 4.4%

Services 21.1% 24.9% 35.2% 18.8% 22.1% 22.1% 18.0%

Public administration 2.3% 2.3% 2.6% 2.2% 2.5% 2.5% 4.2%


28

nt’d)

State

1990 2000

2.2% 1.1%

0.1% 0%

7.9% 8.3%

25.7% 19.4%

6.1% 5.0%

20.2% 15.2%

5.1% 5.6%

19.9% 38.5%

4.5% 4.7%

Table 13: Employment by Place of Work by County, Region and State, 1980-2000


1980 1990 2000

1980 1990 2000

1980 1990 2000

Construction 646 901 500 1,432 2,054 950 609 739 280

Manufacturing 6,891 6,082 4,940 14,767 11,249 6,800 8,047 6,734 4,530

Transportation, communication and other public utilities 590 877 460 900 963 380 473 490 230


Finance, insurance, and real estate 221 489 180 707 960 970 381 391 300

Services 2,334 2,990 1,240 3,878 4,194 4,110 2,525 2,708 1,610

Government 1,984 2,262 2,610 2,471 2,948 2,800 1,883 2,070 2,370

Total Employment 13,104 14,330 14,550 25,615 25,030 28,180 13,955 13,728 14,150

29


Table 13: Employment by Place of Work by County, Region and State, 1980-2000 (Cont’d)

York Region StateIndustry

1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000 1980 1990 2000

Construction 3,588 5,351 3,000 6,275 9,045 4,730 95,206 127,294 114,000

Manufacturing 19,966 20,399 12,000 49,671 44,464 28,270 430,065 411,561 344,800

Transportation, communication and other public utilities 3,927 5,128 3,300 5,890 7,458 4,370 76,015 97,399 102,800


Finance, insurance, and real estate 1,804 3,382 1,500 3,113 5,222 2,950 57,429 81,912 81,700

Services 10,408 16,711 15,900 19,145 26,603 22,860 237,584 319,730 447,2000

Government 6,382 8,222 9,200 12,720 15,502 16,980 55,800 71,434 314,700

Total Employment 49,303 67,039 85,670 101,977 120,127 142,550 1,319,970 1,603,425 1,875,400


30

Table 14: Percentage of Workforce Employed by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000


1980 1990 2000

1980 1990 2000

1980 1990 2000

Construction 4.9% 6.3% 3.4% 5.6% 8.2% 3.4% 4.4% 5.4% 2.0%

Manufacturing 52.6% 42.4% 34.0% 57.6% 44.9% 24.1% 57.7% 49.1% 32.0%




Services 17.8% 20.9% 8.5% 15.1% 16.8% 14.6% 18.1% 19.7% 11.4%

Government 15.1% 15.8% 17.9% 9.6% 11.8% 9.9% 13.5% 15.1% 16.7%


31

Table 14: Percentage of Workforce Employed by Industry by Place of Residence, 1980-2000 (Cont’d)

York Region StateIndustry

1980 1990 2000

1980 1990 2000

1980 1990 2000

Construction 7.3% 8.0% 3.5% 6.2% 7.5% 3.3% 7.2% 7.9% 6.1%

Manufacturing 40.5% 30.4% 14.0% 48.7% 37.0% 19.8% 32.6% 25.7% 18.4%




Services 21.1% 24.9% 18.6% 18.8% 22.1% 16.0% 18.0% 19.9% 23.8%

Government 12.9% 12.3% 10.7% 12.5% 12.9% 11.9% 4.2% 4.5% 16.8%


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Table 15: Average Weekly Wage Rates by Industry for Non-Agricultural Employees for the Year 2000

Occupation Chester Lancaster Union York Region State Nation

Mining N/A 985 N/A 615 800 725 749

Construction 466 476 411 514 467 545 672

Manufacturing 591 637 519 720 617 653 580

Transportation, communication, and public utilities 535 639 599 887 665 740 607

Wholesale trade 523 537 448 696 551 691 558

Retail trade 265 278 246 314 276 306 263

Finance, insurance, and real estate 466 572 453 1030 630 654 529

Federal government 661 669 571 680 645 768 852

State government 512 640 623 542 579 573 667

Local government 436 506 447 493 471 515 601Source: South Carolina Employment Security Commission, Covered Employment and Wages, 2000.

33

34

Table 16: Persons Below Poverty Level by County, Region and State, 1969-1999

County 1969 1979 1989 1999 Chester 7,883 4,840 5,381 5,157

Lancaster 7,465 5,930 7,259 7,599

Union 5,183 3,648 5,102 4,230

York 13,435 11,407 13,207 16,082

Region 33,966 25,825 30,949 33,068

State 594,938 500,363 517,793 547,869

Nation 25,420,000 29,272,000 33,585,000 33,899,812Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Population, for selected years.

Table 17: Percentage of Population Below Poverty Level by County, Region and State,

1969-1999

County 1969 1979 1989 1999 Chester 26.5% 16.1% 16.8% 15.3%

Lancaster 17.3% 11.2% 13.4% 12.8%

Union 17.8% 11.9% 17.0% 14.3%

York 16.3% 11.0% 10.3% 10.0%

Region 18.4% 11.9% 12.7% 13.1%

State 23.0% 16.6% 15.4% 14.1%

Nation 12.6% 13.0% 13.5% 12.4%

Table 18: Persons of Low to Moderate Income by County, 1989

County Persons Percentage of Population

Chester 11,694 37.35%

Lancaster 19,739 36.97%

Union 11,233 37.68%

York 46,146 36.52%

State 1,279,825 38.44%

Nation

Source: US Census Bureau, 1990 Census Low-Mod Data by County, Minor Civil Division, and Place.

35

Table 20: Capital Investment by County, Region, and State by Decade, 1970-1999

County 1970-1979($000) 1980-1989($000) 1990-1999($000)

Chester 105,734 386,010 532,535

Lancaster 91,023 292,728 530,216

Union 54,350 171,588 282,582

York 158,129 1,208,710 1,398,944

Region 409,236 2,059,036 2,744,277

State 21,336,409 42,232,451

Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce, Capital Investment Report for selected years.

Table 19: Labor Force Data for the Year 2009

Total Percentage

County Labor Force Employment Unemployment Unemployed Chester 15,973 12,697 3,276 20.5Lancaster 30,957 25,469 5,548 17.9Union 12,372 9,907 2,465 19.9York 112,094 96,185 15,909 14.2Region 171,396 144,198 27,198 18.1State 2,179,366 1,924,059 255,317 11.7

Source: South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.

7,716,447

Table 21: County as Share of Region and Region as Share of State 1970-1999

County 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999

Chester 25.8% 18.7% 19.4%

Lancaster 22.2% 14.2% 19.3%

Union 13.3% 8.3% 10.3%

York 38.6% 58.7% 51.0%

Region 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Region/State 5.3% 9.7% 6.5%


Table 23: County as Share of Region and Region as Share of State 1970-1999

County 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999

Chester 22.1% 22.5% 15.3%

Lancaster 15.0% 15.4% 19.9%

Union 23.7% 16.8% 9.3%

York 39.2% 45.3% 55.5%

Region 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

Region/State 6.4% 9.8% 10.0%

Table 22: New Job Creation by County, Region, and State by Decade,

1970-1999

County 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999

Chester 1,879 3,409 3,210

Lancaster 1,279 2,340 4,168

Union 2,020 2,543 1,940

York 3,333 6,859 11,599

Region 8,511 15,151 20,917

State 133,605 154,353 208,356



36

PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

One of the largest public/private partnership in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area which

includes the Catawba Region is the Charlotte Regional Partnership. The partnership is a

public/private non-profit economic development organization that provides site location

assistance for new industry and commerce, leads to local economic development professionals

and selective research for prospects considering the area for location. Other examples include

the Carolina Thread Trail Initiative and the Timken Sports Complex in the City of Union in

Union County. The City of Rock Hill also is working with private partners to help redevelop the

“Textile Corridor,” a series of abandoned textile mill properties along Dave Lyle Boulevard near

downtown. The “Cotton Factory,” a remodeled office complex, is an example of a textile

facility conversion. The outlook for these types of partnerships remains positive as cash

strapped local governments look for private sector participation in a variety of planning efforts

and projects. A 5,360 square foot Childrens’ Museum is the latest initiative by the City working

in conjunction with the private sector to redevelop the downtown area. The museum is

scheduled to open in December of this year.

Finally, Council of Governments staff continues to partner with various local entities to

implement the job retraining and placement components of the Workforce Investment Act

program. The Council’s affiliate, the Catawba Regional Community Finance Corporation has

filed a $25 million application for New Markets Tax Credits. If awarded, the credits would be

used for redevelopment of former textile related properties throughout the Catawba Region.

Additionally, the Council is the lead partner with Centralina COG (Charlotte) for a $3.5 million

Sustainable Communities grant application.

37

CEDS GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE

CATAWBA REGION

As indicated by the strategies cited earlier in this report, Council of Governments staff

are employed in a wide range of activities that help promote economic development in the

Catawba Region. To follow are the goals and objectives staff, working in concert with other

local economic development professionals, expect to achieve over the next five years.

Goal 1

- To promote job creation and lower unemployment in the region. Strategies

- To assist local governments in economic development and industrial development-related

activities. This includes helping to secure federal assistance, such as EDA grant financing, Rural Development Administration grant/loan funds, or HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and through other economic development related initiatives such as the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program.

- To assist in the financing of new businesses and the retention and expansion of existing businesses, through such programs as EDA’s Revolving Loan Fund and SBA’s 504 Program. - To sponsor job training and retraining programs through the federal Workforce Investment Act. To develop additional labor force data regarding the skills, experience and availability of workers.

Objectives

- To fund one new EDA Public Works project annually resulting in the creation of 300 or more new jobs. - To fund 10 new loans resulting in the creation of 100 new jobs. - To retrain 500 displaced workers with relevant job skills allowing them to re-enter the workforce.

38

Goal 2

- To assist local governments in their industrial recruitment efforts by maintaining and supplying needed social/economic data and conducting relevant economic studies as requested.

Strategies

- To increase the awareness and usage of the Catawba Regional Council of Governments and the Catawba Regional Development Corporation in economic development activities. - To encourage public/private sector partnerships in economic development efforts. - To undertake special economic research and development studies upon requests from local governments or agencies within the region.

Objectives

- To continue publishing building permit reports regionwide on a quarterly basis showing permit numbers by type, value of permits and growth areas within each of our counties. - To maintain our regional census library and disseminate new information or existing information to local economic development professionals or prospects interested in the region.

Goal 3

- To assist state and local governments with environmentally related studies and plans to preserve air and water quality as the region continues to grow and urbanize. Strategy

- To assist local planning and economic development programs through technical assistance such as participating in local strategic planning processes and environmentally related or growth management studies.

Objectives - To work with Chester, Lancaster and York counties, Duke Energy and Bowater, Inc. to carry

on the activities of the Catawba Scenic River Advisory Commission.

39

- To participate with other local government organizations in working with the Catawba-

Wateree Basin Advisory Commission. - To continue to work with the SC Energy Office and local governments to implement

practices to lower energy consumption. - To continue to work with the “CONNECT” initiative to promote cleaner air and sustainable

growth.

STRATEGIC PROJECTS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

A. Suggested Projects Listing Project Environmental assessment and redevelopment of abandoned textile sites into viable

commercial/industrial uses or mixed use developments featuring retail space, residences and recreation facilities. Projected Job Creation

Up to 300 new jobs regionwide over five years. Lead Organizations The cities of Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, Lancaster, Chester and Union, the Town of Great

Falls, the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, the SC Department of Commerce, the Catawba Regional Community Finance Corporation, and SC Department of Health and Environmental Control.

B. Vital Projects Listing Project Continued expansion and enhancement of area water and wastewater treatment facilities to

meet growth demands and to preserve the environment. Projected Job Creation Up to 1,000 new jobs over five years at new and existing industry and commerce. Lead Organizations Local water and wastewater treatment providers, the Catawba Regional Council of

Governments, the SC Department of Commerce, and federal agencies such as EDA.

40

Project To expand the availability of mass transit within the region’s larger cities and to the City of

Charlotte. Projected Job Creation Up to 100 new jobs over five years. Lead Organizations The SC and NC Departments of Transportation, local public transit agencies, and the

Catawba Regional Council of Governments. Project

Promote the expansion of technical training opportunities in the region’s four counties particularly at the Chester Technology Center (York Technical College) in Chester County, the QuickJobs Center (Spartanburg Community College) in Union County and York Technical College in York County. Projected Job Creation Up to 1,000 new jobs over five years. Lead Organizations Chester, Union and York counties, the technical colleges, Catawba Regional Council of Governments and the SC Department of Commerce.

CEDS PLAN OF ACTION

The Council of Governments will continue to implement the goals and objectives of the

CEDS by providing needed technical assistance to citizens and governments throughout the

Catawba Region in a variety of capacities. These include securing state and federal grant funds

for major infrastructure projects, providing socio-economic demographic data and GIS mapping

as required by the local economic development staff, working with environmentally related

41

organizations such as the Catawba-Wateree Basin Advisory Commission, the Catawba Scenic

River Advisory Commission, the SC Energy Office, and SC Department of Health and

Environmental Control.

Another important function of the Council of Governments is the implementation of the

Workforce Investment Act Program. Working with local industrial partners, COG staff is able to

identify needed job skills necessary to secure employment with local industry and commerce and

through our partnerships with York Technical College and Carolina Community Actions

Agency, we are able to provide displaced workers with these skills through retraining programs.

Finally, the Council of Governments’ Development Corporation continues to provide gap

financing to small businesses from a variety of sources, helping to create new jobs and capital

investment in the region.

Catawba Regional will continue to work with state and local economic development

professionals to recruit additional high wage, high technology jobs for the region. New higher

wage jobs, expansion of private investment and retraining of displaced workers are all priorities

of South Carolina’s economic development program.

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION The goals and objectives for this year’s CEDS remain the same as the previous year.

Reducing unemployment and creating new jobs through the recruitment of new industry and the

expansion of existing industry remain the highest priority. The Council of Governments

partially met all of its FY 08/09 goals.

42

Goal #1

One new EDA planning grant application has been submitted to EDA for the City of

Rock Hill to study ways to promote job creation and redevelopment in the downtown area. EDA

is currently reviewing the application.

Staff are also working with the Town of Kershaw on a proposed project to upgrade its

wastewater treatment plant to serve the expanding Haile Gold Mine. This project could result in

the creation of up to 300 new jobs.

The Council had nine new loans resulting in the creation of 34 new jobs. These

companies will create over $2.1 million in new capital investment.

Three thousand, one-hundred twenty-six persons have now entered retraining programs

to receive skills that will allow them to enter the work force. The net result of these activities

along with the efforts of the region’s other economic development partners is that new

opportunities

for employment are being created during these especially difficult economic times. All four of

the region’s counties experienced increases in their unemployment rate during the past year.

Goal #2

The Council of Governments increased its efforts to assist local governments in industrial

recruitment by supplying socio-economic data, meeting with boards of various Development

Corporations to discuss recruitment strategies and by providing quarterly building permit reports

showing permit totals countywide, by municipality and census track.

On a monthly basis the Council of Governments receives approximately twenty requests

for socio-economic data and up to ten requests for building permit data. To make this data more

easily accessible the Council of Governments continues to upload this data to its website.

43

Goal #3 Council staff continued to meet with various organizations promoting clean air and water

and sustainable growth. Included among these organizations were local and state governments

involved in the “CONNECT” project, the SC Energy Office, SC DOT and the Catawba Scenic

River Advisory Commission, and the SC DHEC Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund.

Council staff met with most of these organizations on a quarterly basis.

REVIEW OF COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

This section summarizes significant Council of Governments’ activities through

September 2010.

Economic Development

In Chester County, construction is now complete on an EDA project to upgrade the

treatment capacity of the economically important Lando Wastewater Treatment Plant near the

Town of Richburg. The project will allow for the creation of over 200 new jobs at three area

industries. Also, in Chester County, a public works project to build a new campus for York

Technical College is now complete. The project will result in the creation of over 490 new jobs.

In York County, a project for the City of York is now under construction on a major

upgrade of the City’s wastewater treatment plant capacity. The project is a major upgrade of the

City’s wastewater treatment plant capacity. The project will allow for the creation of up to 500

new jobs at five industries.

44

The City of Rock Hill is waiting to hear about an EDA funded planning study to look at

ways to further job creation and redevelopment in its downtown’s area.

In Union County, the Union County QuickJobs Center is now complete. The Center will

provide robotics training for Gestamp Automotive, an auto parts manufacturer, who has created

over 100 new jobs.

Finally, staff is also working with the City of Lancaster on a wastewater treatment plant

pump station upgrade to serve Metso Power and Duracell. This project will result in the creation

of 24 new jobs and millions of dollars in new capital investment in these existing industries.

Community Development

The Council of Governments is actively involved in the SC Community Development

Block Grant (CD) program as administered by the Governor's Office. The Council of

Governments helps local governments identify project needs, prepares CD applications and

administers awarded grants.

The Council staff is currently administering 14 Community Development Block Grants

valued at over $9.9 million. Council staff is also administering $4.5 million in Neighborhood

Stabilization Program (NSP) funding in York and Lancaster counties.

Other Technical Assistance

The Council of Governments provides a variety of technical assistance services to its

member and local governments. Staff has continued to partner with the Centralina Council of

Governments to implement the “CONNECT” project which seeks to promote regional solutions

to planning, transportation and environmental issues within the Charlotte (NC) metropolitan

region. As an offshoot of this process Centralina COG and Catawba Regional have applied for

45

grant funds through HUD’s Sustainable Communities program to develop a long-term “regional

vision” that will implement the core values identified in the CONNECT process to promote

sustainable communities and economic development.

Council staff continues to serve as planning staff for the Town of Clover, the City of

York, Chester County, the City of Lancaster and the City of Union.

The Council of Governments continues to work with the Catawba Scenic River Advisory

Commission and the Bi-state Catawba Wateree Advisory Commission in studying ways to

preserve the river. Finally, the Council of Governments continues to maintain its building permit

tracking database. Currently, reports are being issued on a quarterly basis showing permit

activity regionwide and growth areas within the region’s counties.

Loan Programs

The Council began its EDA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) in August 1986 and by June

1988 had fully committed its initial capitalization of $700,000. Later that year, a recapitalization

of $450,000 was added. In 1993, the Council of Governments was awarded an additional

recapitalization of $300,000. Both recapitalizations have now been lent and new loans are being

made with funds that are being repaid. Currently, the Council has loaned a total of over

$10.6 million through the EDA RLF which has resulted in the creation of over 997 new jobs.

These loans have leveraged private investments of over $55.8 million.

The COG serves as the statewide administrator for the SC DHEC’s Brownfields Cleanup

Revolving Loan Fund (BCRLF). Three loans have been committed or funded within the

Catawba Region: $370,000 for the City of Union to clean-up hazardous materials associated with

the former Union Mill, and $1.5 million for demolition at the former Rock Hill Bleachery

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(another textile-related industry). The City of Rock Hill also received a loan of $425,000 to

clean-up asbestos and hazardous materials at the former Arcade Mill site.

The Council's Development Corporation operates an SBA 504 Fixed Asset Loan Program

in all four of the region's counties. The Development Corporation is one of the most active SBA

504 lenders in the State with over $26.9 million of SBA 504 loans originated since its inception.

Eight hundred and forty-three new jobs have been created as a result of the loans which have

leveraged over $46.1 million in private investment.

The Rural Development Intermediary Relending Program (IRP), in which the Council is

participating, has resulted in loans totaling $2.5 million and the creation of 119 jobs.

Finally, the Council’s Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) program

has made loans of $523,403 leveraging $475,000 in private investment and creating ten new

jobs.

Technical Assistance Graphics and Mapping Projects

The Council of Governments continues to expand the growing use of its in-house GIS

system which uses ArcInfo software. Current projects include developing traffic count maps for

the region, providing transportation maps for the mass transit and long-range transportation

plans, and an economic development service (ARC server) for the PPEDA. Staff continues to

update a water/sewer infrastructure database for the SC Department of Commerce. Other GIS

projects include updating of base maps for Chester and Union counties’ E-911 programs and

various maps for the Governor’s Office of Community Development. The database which has

been developed for these projects will greatly enhance the Council’s ability to assist in future

planning and economic development projects.

Staff is also working onsite with various local government GIS departments to further

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develop their GIS capacities. A new COG website is under development to enhance information

dissemination throughout the region.

The Council of Governments continues to update the zoning maps for the cities of

Chester and York and Chester County which contain information on roads, parcel boundaries

and zoning districts. Zoning maps for Lancaster County, the Town of Great Falls and the City of

Union also have been created containing similar information.

Finally, the Council of Governments worked with the US Census Bureau to update the

census boundary maps for the upcoming 2010 census.

Census

Catawba Regional is continuing to serve as a regional data center for demographic and

economic statistics. The Council is designated as an official Affiliate Data Center of the

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Data has been researched and provided, on request, to local

governments, chambers of commerce, social service agencies, the business community and the

general public.

Recently, Council staff worked with local governments regionwide to update address lists

for the Census Bureau’s mailing of the 2010 census form.

Workforce Investment Act

Beginning July 1, 2000, the Council became the program administrator for the Workforce

Investment Act in Chester, Lancaster and York counties. This program replaces the previous

JTPA program the Council administered. As part of the Council’s responsibilities, contracts

with the Employment Security Commission, York Technical College, Carolina Community

Actions Agency and other providers, have been entered into to provide a wide range of job

placement and job training services to local residents.

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In the last year 3,126 persons have enrolled in job training programs at York Technical

College.

Transportation and Energy

The Council of Governments also is continuing to work with the SC Energy Office to

promote greater energy efficiency within local governments. CRCOG in partnership with the

South Carolina Energy Office assisted local governments in the region in obtaining ARRA.

Funding for Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants totaling $467,000.

Staff also is working as a liaison between local governments and SC DOT to rank local

road construction projects within the region.

Current transportation projects include Elderly and Disabled Transportation for Chester,

Lancaster and York counties. These projects are valued at $225,000. Staff also secured

$140,000 in Job Access Reverse Commute funds for Chester, Lancaster and York counties.

Staff is also working with Lancaster County to develop a Trail and Greenway Master Plan.

Finally, staff secured $450,000 for a countywide medical transportation program in

Lancaster County.

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Proposed Capital Improvement Projects

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Chester County

Priority Capital Improvements Chester County - Product Development 1. Distinguish sites by developing business parks. 2. Raise development standards in parks with the use of restrictive covenants. 3. Gain firmer control over land through public ownership or public-private partnerships. 4. Certify sites. 5. Create stronger advantage through shell or virtual buildings. 6. Continued focused promotion of Carolinas I-77 Mega Site. - Workforce Development 1. Investigate creating a guaranteed worker program. 2. Work the new York Technical College – Chester Campus – determine if the REWARDS programs can be adopted locally. 3. Investigate an education endowment program which would fund a technical school education for every high school graduate. - Develop industrial parks near I-77 and S.C. Highway 9.

- Increase capacity of sewage treatment plants, particularly the Lando WWTP, to accommodate economic and population growth and extend sewer lines from the Richburg area to the Great Falls WWTP to provide increased treatment capacity.

- Upgrade water systems throughout the county including an upgrade of the Chester

Metropolitan District’s water plant.

- Investigate the possibility of a water treatment plant on the Broad River.

- Improve water and sewer lines to all industrial sites (Chester, Great Falls, Richburg).

- Install sewer between Chester and Fort Lawn.

- Continue improvements to the Chester County Airport and classify the land around the airport as a Foreign Trade Zone.

- Connect the sewer systems between Fort Lawn and Great Falls.

- Improve and replace aging water and sewer lines in Chester, Great Falls and Lando.

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Chester County (Continued)

- Continue development of the Chester County Recreation Complex in the Richburg area and upgrade existing recreational facilities.

- Extend water and sewer along the I-77 corridor including the S.C. Highway 97

interchange.

- Develop interchange on I-77 at the York County-Chester County line to promote a site for a potential multi-county industrial park.

- Implement a unified countywide fire system. - Construct a “gateway” on S.C. Highway 9 at I-77.

- Renovate the historic Chester County Courthouse. - Construct a new Department of Social Services facility. - Construct a new Emergency Services Center.

- Continue countywide clean-up of abandoned mill sites as well as other types of Brownfields.

Chester City

- Provide affordable housing (low income and median income houses and apartments). - Continue community development and revitalization.

- Expand Curbside Recycling Program and develop alternatives for yard and other

debris disposal.

- Implement Green City concept for streets, streetscapes, parks, housing, commercial development, and waste disposal.

- Pursue accreditation of Police Department.

- Develop seven attractive in-bound gateways and entry portals into the City at

Lancaster Street/S.C. Highway 9 east; West End Street/Cochran Bypass/S.C. Highway 72 south; Pinckney Street/S.C. Highway 9 north; Columbia Street and Road; Saluda Street and Road/SC Highway 72 east; York Street and Road; and Center Street/S.C. Highway 97 north.

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Chester City (Continued)

- Continue Central and Second Loop Business District revitalization efforts and

overall enhancement of the community’s appearance.

- Continue improvements at the various cemeteries in the City, and the development of the current and new sections of Evergreen Cemetery.

- Promote expansion of size and capability of Law Enforcement Center on Dawson

Drive.

- Develop a plan for Police Services and Municipal Administration relocation and expansion.

- Develop and implement a plan for dead-end street improvements. - Construct landscaped parking areas behind stores in downtown Chester. - Upgrade the water and sewer and other utility systems throughout the City. - Develop condo and apartment complex potentials in the City.

- Annex properties to provide better level of current services and for future

development. - Promote historical, cultural, and recreational development projects. - Construct road improvements and sidewalks where needed. - Develop tourism visitation sites inside and outside the City. - Promote Education Improvement projects including the construction of a Chester

campus of York Technical College. - Enhance development of the Market Square/Farmers Market/Back Lot area.

- Promote skills training for the workforce.

- Develop and implement a plan to improve communication and coordination between

service delivery agencies.

- Develop plan for Public Transportation in and around the City and throughout the region.

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Chester City (Continued)

- Continue improvements to City Hall building and develop new concept for City Hall.

- Promote better healthcare opportunities.

- Promote City as a live-able, walk-able, residential community for workers in the

Rock Hill, Charlotte, and Columbia metropolitan areas.

- Promote quality of life and senior services to retirees from North and Northeast U.S.

- Provide better Police, Fire, Recreation and Public Works services.

- Pursue comprehensive economic development throughout the City. Great Falls

- Continue neighborhood revitalization in Great Falls.

- Continue Home Town Nature Based Tourism Initiative. - Locate new industry in the William State Lee Industrial Park.

- Upgrade the water and sewer systems throughout the Town. - Extend water and sewer service from Great Falls to I-77 and up S.C. Highway 99 to

S.C. Highway 9.

- Upgrade the Town’s wastewater treatment plant. - Continue community appearance improvements in Great Falls.

Richburg

- Provide infrastructure to the I-77 interchange and surrounding area.

- Continue appropriate planning to accommodate growth.

- Extend water lines to fringe areas along town limits. Fort Lawn

- Expand and upgrade the Town's water and sewer.

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Lancaster County Priority Capital Improvements Lancaster County

- Continue water and sewer service expansion throughout Lancaster County with attention to the following areas:

Increase the capacity of the Catawba River Water Plant (Lancaster County

Water and Sewer District) Expand sewer service in Indianland including increasing WWTP capacity. Complete extension of water system throughout the Indianland area and up to

the North Carolina line. Expand water and sewer services along the SC Highway 9 corridor.

- Upgrade US 521/Riverside Road rail corridor.

- Construct the improvements sited in the U.S. Highway 521 North/SC Highway 9 North Corridor Master Plan.

- Widen roads outlined in the Regional Road’s Plan including SC Highway 160 from Fort Mill to U.S. Highway 521.

SC Highway 903 from Community Lane to SC Highway 151 in Chesterfield County. U.S. Highway 521 from Twilight Road to I-20 in Kershaw County. SC Highway 5 from U.S. Highway 521 to U.S. Highway 21 in York County. SC Highway 9 from U.S. Highway 521 to U.S. Highway 601 in Chesterfield County. SC Highway 122 from current terminus to U.S. Highway 521. SC Highway 160 from U.S. Highway 521 to Town of Fort Mill.

- Construct new facilities or renovate and expand existing facilities as need dictates in

Lancaster County for:

Elementary and secondary educational facilities. Post-secondary workforce educational facilities. Higher education (college) facilities. Public safety facilities such as but not limited to emergency medical stations,

fire stations, and law enforcement/correctional facilities. Public service facilities such as but not limited to social service facilities,

community centers, and general governmental facilities.

- Complete airport improvements in conjunction with the FAA and develop property around the airport in conjunction with the Economic Development Corporation.

Lancaster County (Continued)

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- Continue housing rehab and demotion of dilapidated housing in blighted areas of the

county, such as the Kershaw Mills and Brooklyn communities.

- Enhance the County road maintenance program, including upgraded entrances and exits to area school buildings.

- Widen and improve public road entrances/exists to schools in the County. - Continue development of Corporate/Business/Industrial Parks to attract new industry

and assist with expansion opportunities for current tenants, including:

Heath Springs Industrial Park, including speculative buildings suitable to meet the needs of prospective builders/businesses.

Kershaw Industrial Park, including speculative buildings suitable to meet the needs of prospective builders/businesses.

Develop property on the S.C. Highway 9 Corridor near the Lancaster County Airport to become a multi-modal (air/highway/rail) industrial park, including speculative buildings suitable to meet the needs of prospective builders/businesses.

Lancaster City

- Upgrade and extend the City of Lancaster’s water distribution and sewer collection system for improved industrial, commercial, and residential development. Study meeting this need through potential cooperative agreements with the Lancaster County Water and Sewer District.

- Continue upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant to meet its NPDES limits.

- Upgrade municipal transportation infrastructure through:

Rebuilding of needed sidewalks and removal of unnecessary sidewalks. Planning for a systematic resurfacing of municipal roads. Enhanced signage and street lighting.

- Develop access for a second source of water from Chester County. - Encourage the revitalization of Lancaster’s retail districts to include infrastructure

enhancements and marketing recommendations of the Lancaster Charrette. Lancaster City (Continued)

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- Upgrade criminal justice system programs:

Upgrade vehicular communications equipment and capability for police, fire, and emergency utility radio and data communications.

Enhance court security measures. - Continue housing improvements and neighborhood revitalization efforts including

coordinating efforts with non-profit groups such as Habitat for Humanity. Develop affordable senior citizens housing in the vicinity of Lancaster’s central business district and both affordable housing and affordable senior citizens housing city-wide.

- Study potential locations and purchase land for a new fire station to enhance

coverage for the southwestern portion of the City of Lancaster. - Develop a storm water utility that will meet needs under NPDES requirements. - Continue development of a city/county industrial park on U.S. Highway 521 and S.C. Highway 9.

- Study abandoned Brownfields to determine the feasibility of redevelopment.

- Make road and pedestrian safety improvements along Hubbard Drive and University Drive near the USC-Lancaster camps.

- Upgrade pump station at the Lancaster County airport site as part of the development

of a 1,000 acre industrial park.

Heath Springs

- Expand the capacity of the Town's wastewater treatment plant.

- Continue extension of sewer system within Heath Springs.

- Undertake efforts to revitalize Heath Springs' Main Street area.

- Extend water and sewer service to industrial areas within and near Heath Springs, as needed.

- Improve the storm drainage system in Heath Springs.

- Market vacant industrial properties in Heath Springs.

Heath Springs (Continued)

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- Complete a land use planning program to guide growth.

- Develop recreational facilities in the Mineral Springs area. - Add or repair sidewalks as needed.

Kershaw

- Improve drinking water quality to meet or exceed present and future EPA and DHEC standards.

- Survey wastewater collection system to determine areas in need of rehabilitation and to

make upgrades.

- Replace or rehabilitate the Town’s wastewater collection system in mill village area and other areas of infiltration or inflow.

- Replace aging or defective water lines throughout the Town.

- Rehabilitate the East Marion Street commercial area in the Town of Kershaw.

- Revitalize the Main Street business area.

- Improve fire service to lower ISO ratings.

- Expand and upgrade recreational facilities in the Town.

- Provide additional affordable housing.

- Add sidewalks in residential areas where none exist and repair existing sidewalks as

needed.

- Develop recycling program. - Increase fire hydrant flow and pressure to meet SC DHEC standards.

- Expand the Town’s wastewater treatment plant to 1.5 mgd and rehabilitate/replace aging sewer lines throughout the Town.

- Construct new Fire/EMS station. - Construct a spec building in Kershaw Industrial Park.

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Union County Priority Capital Improvements

Union County

- Provide site improvements to City/County industrial parks and expand the new robotics training facility to serve industry.

- Install a 200,000 gallon water tank for Santuck-Hebron water system.

- Continue to make improvements to Union County Airport.

- Construct a sewage collection and treatment system to serve the length of U.S.

Highway 176 corridor. - Make sidewalk repairs throughout the County.

- Upgrade the county ambulance service and nursing home.

- Purchase the Sam’s tract and develop a new industrial park. - Secure funding to renovate Dawkins House on USC-Union Campus.

- Continue development of the industrial parks on U.S. Highway 176.

- Attract additional specialized medical staff in Union.

- Continue improvements to campus and facilities of USC-Union.

- Expand County water systems, as needed.

- Extend sewer system between Buffalo and Union to include Lukesville.

- Beautify and improve the entrance corridor into Union County on U.S. Highway 176.

- Upgrade County roads with goal of entire asphalt road system. - Upgrade County school buildings. - Secure funding to study effects of aging population of Union.

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Union County (Continued)

- Construct a recreational lake at the confluence of Fairforest Creek and the Tyger River to promote additional recreation and housing opportunities and an alternative drinking water source.

- Make improvements to the Pinckneyville Historical site. Union City

- Upgrade water and sewer systems where appropriate.

- Make sidewalk repairs throughout the City.

- Continue Union's downtown revitalization efforts.

- Expand and upgrade City of Union's electric and natural gas distribution systems.

- Upgrade office and retail space in the Union downtown area.

- Construct neighborhood park community centers.

- Begin a recycling program.

- Continue improvements in the Union Mill Village, Standpine and McBeth Street Neighborhood (drainage, street work, and housing rehabilitation).

- Plan improvements for future revitalization of neighborhoods within the City of Union.

- Provide affordable housing; address sub-standard and elderly housing.

- Promote job training initiatives including the expansion of the Union Robotics Center.

- Develop a Children’s Adventure Museum downtown.

- Improve and expand recreational and health care facilities.

- Construct an Arts and Cultural Center.

- Improve regional transportation system.

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Carlisle

- Upgrade the Carlisle water system.

- Expand the Carlisle ball park into a comprehensive recreational facility.

- Develop a medical practice facility in Carlisle.

- Rehabilitate housing as needed. - Hire a policeman and sanitation worker. - Work with Cone Mills to insure waste treatment options for the Town.

Jonesville

- Provide water and wastewater improvements in Jonesville. - Undertake improvements to the sewer plant or construct a new plant.

Lockhart

- Expand and improve the water, sewer, and storm drainage systems in Lockhart.

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York County Priority Capital Improvements York County - Improve and expand alternative transportation options for the public to include mass transit, pedestrian services and bicycle infrastructure.

- Continue to expand and upgrade County’s transportation system

- Extend water and sewer service within the I-77 corridor, the Fort Mill Township, and Lake Wylie, and connect existing water systems in Clover, York, Rock Hill and the County, increase storage capacity, expand the illicit discharge activities and elimination system and provide adequate water and wastewater treatment to promote reliable water sources, effective wastewater disposal and reduce pollution as the County prepares for economic and population growth.

- Expand the maintenance program of existing County roads.

- Improve accessibility for the disabled to the York County Courthouse and other

public buildings.

- Expand York County Museum, renovate the McCelvey Center, and expand and improve the facilities at Historic Brattonsville.

- Continue efforts to evaluate the space needs of the County and develop options for addressing those needs.

- Implement Open Space Plan to provide for a system of greenways and parks with permanent protection from development.

Clover

- Construct a new Town Hall.

- Continue revitalization and appearance improvements to Clover's Main Street.

- Upgrade and expand the water and sewer system. - Construct a new Streets and Sanitation Department Maintenance Facility.

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Clover (Continued) - Construct an elevated water tank in the eastern side of Town. - Continue developing a centralized recreational complex in Clover to include ball

fields, picnic areas, and trails along with neighborhood parks in various areas.

- Replace sidewalks in older areas of Clover. - Extend water and sewer along Ridge Road and the Bethel School Road area.

- Continue development of industrial sites and parks to include all needed utilities.

- Continue to make road improvements throughout the Town. - Continue citywide storm drain improvements. - Construct citywide hiking and biking trails to increase recreational amenities. - Construct neighborhood parks where needed.

- Construct and outfit a new fire department substation. Fort Mill

- Promote Main Street redevelopment and make improvements recommended in the Downtown Historic District.

- Acquire cemetery property.

- Develop recreational areas throughout Fort Mill.

- Upgrade and expand the road network.

- Make street repairs throughout the Town.

- Make storm drainage and sidewalk improvements where needed. - Construct new recreation facilities.

- Investigate the feasibility of a water plant.

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Fort Mill (Continued) - Make beautification improvements to main entrances and roads throughout the Town. - Continue expansion of wastewater treatment plant or explore other treatment options.

- Expand and upgrade the water distribution system. - Construct new public works offices and work area.

- Construct new fire and police substations. - Improve traffic flow in downtown. - Incorporate bike lanes into road network. - Develop safe routes to schools. - Set up a stormwater utility. - Investigate feasibility of regional water plant. Rock Hill

- Continue to recruit prospects for the Southway Industrial Park, in the southeast section of the City.

- Provide for development of existing and potential industrial sites in the City.

- Continue comprehensive sidewalk, street, curb, and gutter improvements in Rock

Hill.

- Make street/sidewalk/parking improvements in downtown Rock Hill and provide linking to historic neighborhoods.

- Complete roadway construction improvements outlined in Rock Hill-Fort Mill Area

Transportation Study (RFATS).

- Expand and upgrade water, sewer and electrical systems throughout areas served by the City including expanding the capacity of the Water Treatment Plant.

- Complete airport improvements as stated in the Airport Master Plan for Rock Hill.

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Rock Hill (Continued) - Continue to expand the affordable housing program, focusing on Old Town.

- Implement road improvements to north Cherry Road in accordance with the North

Cherry Road Master Plan.

- Continue the implementation of the Downtown Master Plan. - Implement the adopted Textile Corridor Master Plan.

- Link major recreation areas and open spaces in the City with pedestrian trails.

- Continue to implement a greenway system in the City as reflected in the Master

Plan.

- Support and assist the redevelopment of the former Celanese industrial site as a mixed use community including industrial, commercial, residential, sports tourism and community recreation uses.

- Complete improvements to the Dave Lyle Boulevard – I-77 interchange and adjacent

commercial areas to improve appearance, increase traffic capacity, provide for pedestrian safety, and support new development.

- Research models for supporting and developing locally based businesses, including business incubators, in conjunction with local educational institutions.

- Seek support and funding for construction of an extension of Dave Lyle Boulevard

to connect with U.S. 521 in Lancaster.

- Develop plans and seek funding for infrastructure improvements to serve development on the east side of I-77, including improvements to Celriver Road (or alternate north-south corridors), and Eden Terrace.

- Prepare a 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan.

- Extend water lines along Highway 901 to the Chester County line.

- Construct new City's Operations Center and warehouse area on Anderson Road.

- Construct adequate facilities to provide water and sewer to eastern York County. - Develop an update of the comprehensive storm water master plan for the urban area.

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Rock Hill (Continued)

- Support public transportation in the City, County and region.

- Implement the Saluda Street Master Plan. - Develop and implement strategies for attracting jobs, businesses, investment and residents to the Old Town area of Rock Hill. - Encourage the redevelopment of vacant and underutilized textile mills.

- Promote redevelopment of the Hagins-Fewell and Arcade neighborhood and mill site.

- Establish an I-77 Corridor Land Use/Development Strategy. - Complete public improvements (utilities, streets and intersections, landscaping, etc.) serving the Red River Redevelopment Area. - Replace obsolete utility systems serving older neighborhoods of the City. - Create and implement a College Town Action Plan linking downtown to Winthrop University and surrounding neighborhoods.

Tega Cay

- Upgrade facilities and equipment in all City parks. - Participate in the effort to develop a regional water and wastewater treatment plant in

conjunction with Rock Hill and Fort Mill.

- Continue to work with major developers to achieve build out of the City. - Develop a direct water line connection for Rock Hill to Tega Cay and work with

Rock Hill and Fort Mill to develop a Master Plan for future utility needs.

- Continue to construct a new community building.

- Continue development of Stonecrest which will provide: a new revenue stream.

diversity in type of development which will include City’s first commercial area. a second ingress/egress road to City. land for a community center and the City Hall complex.

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Tega Cay (Continued)

- Continue work on Catawba Park.

- Develop a master plan for ongoing street paving throughout the City. - Complete a long-term Financial Plan and Capital Improvement Plan.

- Continue development and operation of City-owned water and sewer service

(T.C.U.D.) to serve new area of Tega Cay, Stonecrest, the Crescent Resources property and Nivens Landing.

- Complete Hubert Graham Way which will create a by-pass around the Hwy 160/ Gold Hill Road intersection, thereby reducing congestion and the associated air quality impacts related thereto. - Complete Catawba Park (49+ acre recreation complex in the Lake Ridge Development of Tega Cay). - Install water line to Tega Cay directly from Rock Hill. - Complete the mixed-use Stonecrest Development. - Identify areas surrounding Tega Cay for possible annexation where doing so falls in line with the City Council’s Vision Statement and York County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan. - Construct a Municipal Complex where all City services can be housed in one location. - Construct Public Safety building(s) in the Lake Ridge/Serenity Point areas. - Create a professional Fire Department within the City’s operating budget. - Work towards creating/converting City facilities into energy efficient facilities using hydrogen and solar technology or other reusable energy sources. - Work with surrounding municipalities and the County for Mass Transit opportunities. - Complete trail project(s) that will connect existing trail systems with future trail systems in our new developments to tie into the Carolina Thread Trail.

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Tega Cay (Continued) - Create forums and venues whereby area planning officials and elected officials can interface and discuss items of collective benefit. - Work to establish growth parameters that protect our quality of life, educational system and environment.

York City

- Improve and revitalize the downtown area per Master Plan through rehabilitation of historic structures, lighting, parking, street, and sidewalk improvements.

- Continue expansion to the joint recycling program between Clover and York.

- Continue to expand and upgrade infrastructure to effectively serve the areas outlined in

water and wastewater agreements with York County as well as annexed areas. - Prepare a prioritized plan for improving sidewalks, storm drainage, and unpaved roads.

- Update and continue implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. - Participate actively in improving health care services in western York County.

- Implement the improvements to Fire Suppression Services per the Classification

Details Statement provided by the Insurance Services Organization, Inc.

- Continue to upgrade water and sewer lines as needed throughout the City.

- Create a series of bicycle/recreation trails to connect key points of interest throughout the City, including the downtown, McCelvey Center, parks, schools, and the historic district.

- Continue to expand the recreational programs offered at York Recreation Department.

- Develop programs to address the problems of illicit drugs within the City.

- Develop programs to create better/closer relations between the citizens and the

Police Department. - Determine a long-term water source for the City and western York County.

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York City (Continued)

- Enhance the major entrances or gateways into the City of York with landscaping, signage, etc.

- Implement requirements of the gateway corridor overlay district establishing design

standards for signage, landscaping, curb cuts, building facades, etc.

- Continually revise the zoning ordinance to meet the evolving needs of the City. - Develop incentive programs for the redevelopment of downtown.

- Develop and implement a housing plan to improve the quality of housing and to raise the rate of home ownership in the City.

- Pursue the addition of public tennis courts per Recreation Master Plan. - Acquire land for additional recreation fields per the Capital Improvement Plan and the Comprehensive Plan. - Continue to upgrade the wastewater treatment facility. - Renovate City Hall to create more office space.

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