Oct. 2012 City of Newberry update

Newberry impresses me as a busy place, especially in the fall. Saturday, there's Octoberfest, which promises to be a fun-filled day and an important boost to the Newberry economy. Downtown merchants and scores of vendors are set to welcome Newberry citizens and visitors from around the state and beyond. Last year's attendance was estimated at 16,000.

The fall in Newberry offers something to do every weekend. Last weekend it was the well done and well attended Newberry Ag Expo. Upcoming events include Newberry College's Homecoming Oct. 13, a Model A car show downtown on Oct. 20 and the city's Family Fun Night and outdoor movie on Oct. 27. Plus, there are football games every weekend and events sponsored by schools, churches and clubs. I think there's something for everybody.

The Opera House is adding to the excitement as its season is off to an excellent start with multiple shows attracting big crowds. The Opera House is increasing the number of big-name acts it books, and those ticket sales are promising.

Some construction projects in the city are winding down, while others are getting started. The new Piedmont Tech is nearing completion and looking good.

The city's beautification project on College St. began recently with the first step of removing the old chain length fence around Rosemont Cemetery. New crepe myrtles will be planted and serve as the new border. In early 2013 the streetscaping work on College St. with new islands, trees and flowers will be done. When completed, the College St. entrance to Newberry will be much improved.

The city is making its first concrete plans to improve its 16 parks, many which need significant upgrades. The city plans to improve 2—3 parks per year, starting with this fiscal year. At our September City Council meeting, the city committed $331,000 to improve Vincent St. Park, a long-time popular basketball park, playground and picnic spot behind Newberry Elementary School. Improvements will include new basketball court surfacing and goals, a new shelter and picnic tables and new paved parking. Completion is scheduled for early summer.

Also the city is working to create for 2013 new, improved homes for recreation football and for T-ball baseball, both of which are played at Oakland currently. Football is well-attended and needs a bigger location with more parking. We should have a new plan in place for next football season. In Oakland the city is discussing with Newberry College a possible new city/college tennis facility. By creating a new home for T-ball, we'll be able to consider that plan. 

Those improvements at Vincent St. and for football and T-ball are our first three initiatives for city parks. After completing those by summer, the city plans to pick new park improvement projects for the 2013—2014 fiscal year.

Finally, the Newberry economy continues to measure better than the state average.  To help the local economy, I encourage you to shop and dine locally. It's said 70% of the national economy is directed by consumer spending, and I'm sure that's true in Newberry as well. By shopping and dining in Newberry County, we can have great impact and help our neighbors, whether small business owners or employees of national chains. Thank you for visiting and supporting downtown Newberry, the Wilson Rd. area, and shopping and dining areas around the city and count.

Foster Senn
Mayor
City of Newberry, SC
fostersenn@gmail.com
@fostersenn

May, 2012 City of Newberry update

New activity in Newberry in construction, new businesses and better news in employment are encouraging signs for the Newberry economy.

In construction steady progress is being made on the new Piedmont Tech campus.   At Newberry College at the Smith Road Complex, the new softball and soccer fields are taking shape.  And in housing, which has struggled greatly nationally and locally in recent years, home renovations are increasing.  Home and garden stores also report an uptick in business.

Newberry continues to see entrepreneurs enter the market with new businesses, and we wish them much success.   Southern Backyard opened in April beside Domino's, and owner Nannette Bayer sells grills, outdoor furniture and other backyard items.  

A new restaurant, Goodies by Design, will open in May in the old Sunset location on Wilson Rd. Owners Erica Graham and John Miller, both outstanding chefs, will serve breakfast and lunch, have a bakery and offer full service catering. 

Radio Shack will soon open a new store between Verizon and Alltel.  Radio Shack is heavily into the cell phone market now, in addition to selling their traditional electronic products.

Unemployment and underemployment remain too high, but the economic numbers are looking better.  Unemployment in Newberry County dropped to 8.3% in March, which is significantly below the 9.6% rate in March, 2011.  Newberry County is 35th out of 46th counties in unemployment in South Carolina with 1st being the highest (Marion at 17.4%) and 46th being the lowest (Lexington at 6.8%).

In other city news:

-----A landscaping ordinance passed in 2001 requiring rather substantial planting on new commercial construction and renovations is paying off in more attractive commercial areas in Newberry.   Trees and crape myrtles are looking good this spring at a large number of our commercial establishments, such as Arby's, Wendy's, Rite Aid and KFC.   The commercial areas will continue to be more attractive as the trees mature and other trees are planted.  The new Piedmont Tech will have an avenue of trees at its entrance.

-----The American Legion, the City of Newberry and Newberry County will hold a Memorial Day service on Sunday, May 27 at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park in downtown Newberry.  I encourage you to attend as we remember America’s heroes.

-----The City hung pictures at City Hall of 21 past mayors at a ceremony on April 10.  We were delighted to honor Mayor Ed Kyzer, Mayor Clarence Shealy and family members of many other past mayors as we celebrated their contributions to Newberry.  

-----The Opera House has had a very good spring season with a number of big crowds for entertainers like Roberta Flack and Loretta Lynn.   The Opera House will host the Taste of Newberry on June 15 and Concerts in the Park at Memorial Park on Friday nights throughout the summer.  On Saturday, July 7, the 208th Army Reserve Band from Charlotte will hold a concert in Memorial Park. 


-----The Firehouse Conference Center is seeing increased bookings and is booked for most weekends this summer with wedding receptions, reunions and other events.

-----I continue to be impressed by the great amount of volunteer and philanthropic work done in Newberry by churches, clubs, organizations and individuals.   The spring has seen a number of very successful volunteer events, such as the March of Dimes, Relay for Life, Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary Celebration, plus excellent spring events by support groups for the Newberry County Library, the Opera House, and NCMH.   The work of the many volunteers is greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Best regards,

Foster Senn
Mayor
City of Newberry,SC
fostersenn@gmail.com