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welcome to AIKEN 2.0SEARCH FOR ADVENTURE

HIT THE MOTHERBOARD

Welcome to Aiken, Southern Living’s Best Small Town in the South. As you walk through our tree-lined streets, it’s hard to believe you are in a rapidly growing Cyber Region, fueled by the Army Cyber Headquarters’ relocation to Fort Gordon, already housing National Security Administration operations. More than 13,000 people are expected to move to our Augusta/Aiken area by 2023 for cyber careers with the federal government, including the Savannah River Site, or other cyber-related businesses, such as Unysis.

In addition, the region’s universities, technical colleges and high schools, in both South Carolina and Georgia, have added or enriched their cyber programs to support both the industry and the workforce. Augusta University, for example, o�ers a Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Engineering.

More than $100 million have been invested in Georgia’s two new CyberCenter buildings on the Augusta University’s Riverfront Campus, just 25minutes from Aiken.

As you consider becoming part of our growing cyber community, be sure to explore living in Aiken, where many engineers and scientists choose to live. Our town is an easy drive to Fort Gordon or downtown Augusta in less time than from tra�c-congested, overbuilt areas that may seem loser. Newcomers are amazed that you can get anywhere in Aiken in �ve minutes, yet we have the shopping, restaurants and amenities you would expect. You’ll have the time to hike in the nation’s largest urban forest, Hitchcock Woods, go to your kid’s soccer match or hang out downtown with your dog at the taproom or whiskey bar.

Best Wishes,

Jonathan LarryAiken Young ProfessionalsEconomic Development Partnership

P.S. Because you have an investigative mind, �nd the clues on this package to convert the attached paper plane into a drone. We hope you’ll �y it in Aiken.

Jonathan Larry

City of

70 MILES OF TRAILSHITCHCOCK WOODS

NEARBY ADVENTURESKAYAKING Savannah River | Aiken State Park | Horse Creek | Broad River | Edisto RiverMOUNTAIN BIKING Boyd Pond | Fats Trail | Bartram Trail | Mistletoe State Park | Canal TrailTRAIL HIKING Hitchcock Woods | Boyd Pond | Aiken State Park | Phinizy SwampHORSEBACK RIDING Deerwood Stables | Rebel Ranch Horse Tours BIRD WATCHING Hitchcock Woods | Audubon’s Silver Blu� Sanctuary | Phinizy SwampPICNICS Hopelands Gardens | Boyd Pond | Brick Pond | Lake Thurmond | Lake MurrayFISHING Savannah River | Lake Thurmond | Lake Murray | Edisto River | Broad River

The largest privately owned urban forest in the United States is located in downtownAiken. It is home to public horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, and dog walking.

GO OFFLINE

ADVENTURE

SAVANNAH RIVER

FATS TRAIL

AIKEN STATE PARK

HITCHCOCK WOODS

SILVER BLUFF SANCTUARY

At some point, everyone needs to go o�ine, get o� the grid and explore. Discover new things about yourself, nature and your community. Or just decompress. You can wander through 2,100 acres of Hitchcock Woods on foot or horseback, kayak the Savannah River rapids, or bike the 37-mile Fats Trail or our local Greeneway Trail. There is even more to do with the mountains and beaches just a few hours away. Designated as a Tree City, Aiken has more than 23,000 trees, 178 green parkways and 14 parks. Just walking downtown is refreshing.

DOWNTOWN

LIVE MUSIC

LOCAL CAFES

PET FRIENDLY

LOCAL SHOPS

RICH HISTORY

INSIDE AND OUTDISCOVER AIKEN

Aiken feels like a village. Walk your dog downtown, and enjoy live music, craft beers and whiskey in the Alley – where you can carry your drink, sample local fare and meet new people. Named in 1835 for William Aiken of the S.C. Railroad, Aiken began as a health resort for Low Country planters who sought the dry pine-scented air and fresh-water springs, and in the late 1800s it became the Winter Colony for northern aristocrats who escaped harsh winters and brought their horses. Explore the horse district with historic homes, unpaved streets, large stables and polo �elds. Be sure to see the fall and spring Steeplechase and annual Trials, where champions get their start. And, of course, there is plenty of golf, including the nearby Master’s Tournament. If you prefer disc golf, we have six courses.

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THE ALLEY

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education

We are building new public schools and individualized programs to ensure a 21st Century learning environment for all students, including STEM, STEAM and cyber programs and Magnet Schools. Students can prepare for college, the military or direct entry into the workforce.Aiken County is the emerging premier school district in South Carolina. In addition to public schools, several private schools also prepare Aiken students for the future.

In higher education, our region o�ers everything from certi�cations to a Ph.D. in cyber sciences to meet the needs of industry and the workforce. Colleges are looking at ways to translate workplace training into college credits. Our institutions include University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken Technical College and Augusta University.

AIKEN EDUCATION

Both the University of South Carolina Aiken and Aiken Technical College partner with our school district to o�er dual enrollment so that high school students can graduate with up to two years’ of college credit. USCA o�ers 45 undergraduate majors and several master’s degree programs.

HIGHLIGHTS

EXCEL-ERATION

AP Students Increased by 77% Last Year40% of Students Honor Graduates Dual Enrollment Earns College CreditsAiken Scholars Academy at USCACyber Patriot TeamsApprenticeships

OUR STUDENTS EXCEL

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity EngineeringBachelor of Science, major in Cyber OperationsBachelor of Science, major in CybersecurityApplied Computer Science, CybersecurityApplied Computer Science, GamingCerti�cation in Cybersecurity

COLLEGES OFFER CYBER

USC Aiken has been ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report for Southern Public Regional Universities and is ranked in the Top 100 Universities in the nation by Military Times.

SOUTHERN

DOWNTOWN AIKEN

HISTORIC MUSEUM

WOODSIDE PLANTATION

AIKEN GOLF COURSE

HITCHCOCK WOODS

A BETTER VIEWWhether you �y over Aiken in an airplane or virtually via drone or GIS, you’ll enjoy the view. You’ll see why Aiken is designated a Tree City, with large expanses of woods and parks that surround neighborhoods, large estates and golf courses. Our Municipal Airport provides convenient access to general aviation, while the Augusta Regional Airport serves commercial airlines just 30 minutes away.

Aiken Municipal Airport

With more than 43,000 annual aircraft operations,the Aiken Municipal Airport can easily and safely accommodate general aviation, including air taxis,military, single - and multiple - engine planes and jets.

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AIKEN, SC

CityofAiken.gov CityofAiken.gov

AIKEN, SC

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If �ying without a drone, use a paperclip!

Download the Powerup app to connect!

DOWNTOWN AIKEN

HOPELANDS GARDENS

STEEPLECHASE DISCOVER YOUR VIEWAIKEN BLUEGRASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

NIGHT OF 1000 LIGHTS BOYD POND TRAIL THE WILLCOX SOUTH BOUNDARY

BLACK GUM POND AIKEN RAILROAD POLO ASSOCIATION

USC AIKEN AMP THE ALLEY FARMERS MARKET

AIKEN, SC

57 MILES 15 MILES 126 MILES 170 MILES

COLUMBIA, SC

SOUTHCAROLINABEACHES

GEORGIABEACHES

GEORGIAMOUNTAINS

SOUTHCAROLINAMOUNTAINS

145 MILES

130 MILES 101 MILES 117 MILES 135 MILES

CHARLOTTE, NC

530 MILES

WASHINGTON, DC AUGUSTA, GA SAVANNAH, GA ATLANTA, GA

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LIVING

NUMBERSAIKEN BY THE

No matter how you look at the numbers, Aiken is both comfortable and a�ordable. Our winters are short (Jan.-Feb.) with average lows of 33-36 and highs of 54-62, and summers are long (May-Sept.). with average lows of 58-71 and highs of 92. Our blue skies give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. In fact, sometimes it’s shorts weather in December. If you see snow, it’s time to take a day o�.

With a cost-of-living index of 85 out of 100, Aiken ranks as a great value for your dollar. Property taxes are also low, so you can a�ord more house or more of something else.And living is easy with a walkable downtown, short cross-town drive-times, and easy access to I-20, connecting Aiken to Augusta, Columbia and other interstates and highways.

<numbers><Cost of Living> 85

<City Population> 31,391<County Population> 171,179

<Median Home Value> $149,892 County $175,400 City

<numbers/>

<Homeownership Rate> 64.8%

<Sales Tax> 8%<Temperature Ranges> Low of 33° to high of 92°<h1> Drive Times </h1> <Augusta Cyber Center> 25 minutes <Anywhere in Aiken> 5-10 minutes

<p>Lower property taxes than surrounding areas. Average $733.96 per year in Aiken County.

By Comparison on a $200,000 House Aiken County, SC - $777.60 Columbia County, GA - $2,234.96 Richmond County, GA - $2,426.56 Lexington County, SC $1,036.46 </p>

thoughts

COMMENTSI have a computer business in Aiken, take my dog to all the parks, play disc golf and try out local restaurants.- Chris Cozier

- Byron Bush

With an urban vibe, The Alley Taproom (60 craft beers on tap) has given young people something fun to do, like Bend and Brews, while keeping in line with Aiken’s charm!

- Alexandra Shearn

The Willcox atmosphere makes me feel somehow elegant and at home at once, whether I’m enjoying dinner or reading a book in front of their beautiful �replace.

- Sarah Kinney

Everything is so unique and fresh at New Moon Café. My favorite is the Garcia – ham, brie cheese, and honey mustard. Don’t forget to grab a bag of their house-roasted co�ee beans as a parting treat!

- Taylor Buzhardt

I love stopping in Beyond Bijoux when I’m downtown. They have a fun mix of gifts, jewelry and clothing.

WELCOMEKEY WORDSTO BYTE ON

Aiken...

WELCOME HOMEThere is no doubt that our region is having a cyber explosion, driven primarily by the Army Cyber Command at Fort Gordon as well as the Savannah River Site and private contractors. As you look for that place where you can excel in your career and enjoy life without the hassle of tra�c or the expense of a big city, we hope “y’all” will be calling Aiken “home.” It’s easy in Aiken.

Rose Hill in AikenHitchcock WoodsSteeplechaseHorse TrialsAmp the AlleyBluegrass FestivalWCSF FairBlessing of the HoundsWinter ColonyWhiskey and EasyWoodside GolfRiding LessonsAiken ChamberBattle of AikenAntiques in the HeartHops and HogsBarktoberfestAiken State ParkHopelands GardensEquestrian CommunityShopping and DiningUSC AikenAiken Scholars AcademyParks and RecreationRetail SpaceCost of LivingNightlife and CalendarsChurches and CommunityParades and EventsDupont PlanetariumAiken Regional Medical Centers

City of

AdventureAiken.com

803.502.4997 135 Laurens St. SW Aiken, SC 29801

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PHOTO CREDITS:Brent ClineDane DeanerJared EvansJon FlobrantAustin Templeton