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
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