County, City Announce Plan to Bring 90-Bed Hotel Downtown

A new #12 million, 90-bed hotel could be coming to Anderson, thanks to a joint partnership by Anderson County and the City of Anderson.

Paragon Hotel Company, which currently manages four other hotels in the county, will join the city and county in building the new hotel which will feature conference rooms, a swimming pool and an outdoor firepit/patio area. None of the partners would name the "national chain" hotel which will occupy the space. 

Paragon's Jimmy Patel said there were still one or two possibiities, but a source which asked not to be identified said the chain has already been chosen and will be announced soon.

The hotel will be a multi-story complex, with retail stores and restaurants on the first floor. It is expected to be completed within 24 months after the approval of final plans, which Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts said would be very soon.

The city is also conducting a parking study, expected to be completed within six weeks, on the impact of the new hotel.

“This is a tipping point for us,” Roberts said. “Bringing a name-brand hotel to our downtown, and the complex nature of working with a national franchise is new to us. We are already on the radar of regional and national players, and the spotlight on us just got brighter with this key development on our horizon.” 

“We have worked in lock-step with the County and the developers to make this happen. Economic development projects like this require a high degree of cooperation and a shared vision. It is the culmination of more than a year of work, and we are pleased that all of the partners and both councils agree that now is the time to move on this project.” 

“A national brand name hotel locating downtown exemplifies the coordination and teamwork between Anderson County and the City of Anderson," said Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten. This “One Anderson” approach is setting the stage for unparalleled industrial and commercial development for the next 20 years.” 

“We are proud of the infrastructure improvements we have made to downtown in the last few years, including new parks and green spaces,” said Anderson City Manager Linda McConnell. “This is a natural next step as we have the opportunity to become a destination market for regional conferences and continue to attract visitors to our downtown.”

The City and the County will have future readings on their respective agendas to complete the economic development project assistance. “The design features of the development will complement the downtown area and the ground floor amenities will attract visitors and pedestrian traffic to our business core,” David McCuen, Assistant City Manager said.

“We have plans on the drawing board for a possible parking garage in the block with the hotel, and we will follow the projections of the study as we move forward,” McConnell said.

See video of event here.

Average College Student Debt Rises in 2017

The average amount of individual student loan debt owned by U.S. college students increased by more than $300 in 2017, according to a study by LendEDU.

The New Jersey-based online loan marketplace's annual Student Loan Debt by School by State Report found the average debt per borrower for the class of 2017 was $28,288, up $313 from $27,975 in 2016.

South Carolina schools overall ranked 38th in the list.

"Student loan debt in the U.S. continues to be an issue of the utmost importance. The total outstanding student loan debt now stands at to $1.52 trillion, making it the second largest form of consumer debt behind only mortgages," LendEDU said Wednesday.

The annual report uses data from the Peterson's financial aid survey, which collects responses from 1,080 four-year public and private institutions to determine average individual student loan debt figures and rank states and colleges in terms of debt per borrower.

Pennsylvania had the highest average student debt per borrower at $36,193, up from 2016 when it was also the state where college graduates paid back the highest debt at $35,185.

The state was home to six of the nation's Top 10 public colleges with the highest average student debt, including Penn State Shenango, Penn State Hazleton, Penn State Harrisburg, Penn State Worthington Scranton, Lincoln University and Penn State Altoona, all of which had an average debt per borrower greater than $40,000.

Utah had the lowest average student debt per borrower at $18,425 in 2017 down slightly from $18,810 in 2016. 

The New School College of Performing Arts, a private school in New York, had the highest debt per borrower at $77,353, while Bethel College, a private Christian liberal arts college, had the lowest at $5,633. Both totals were up from 2016 when the highest debt was $59,113 and the lowest was $3,809.

While the total average individual student loan debt increased in 2017, the percentage of graduates at non-profit, 4-year public and private colleges that had student loan debt decreased from 59.78 percent in 2016 to 57.96 percent.

The average debt when including those with no student loans also decreased by $403 from $16,723 for the class of 2016 to $16,320 for the class of 2017.

City, County to Announce Joint Accommodations Project Friday

Anderson County and the City of Anderson will make an economic development announcement downtown at 10 a.m. Friday concerning a new joint project concerning accomodations. 

The announcement will be held at the corner of South Main Street and East Market Street.

The public is invited.

County to Spray Area of Reported West Nile Virus Again Friday

Anderson County will begin a second round of mosquito spraying Friday evening (weather-permitting). The spraying will take place within a one-mile radius area of Hwy 178 and Rice Park Drive. This area was previously sprayed due to the discovery of a bird that tested positive for the West Nile virus approximately three weeks ago. 

At this time, there are no confirmed human cases of the disease and no additional infected birds have been found in the county; however, out of an abundance of caution and in line with DHEC-prescribed action, the Emergency Management Division continues mitigation and abatement efforts to eradicate the mosquito population in the affected area.

Immediately after the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) confirmed the case, emergency management worked with the City of Anderson to implement mitigation and abatement efforts to reduce mosquito infestation near the affected individual’s residence.

At this time, there are no confirmed human cases of the disease and no additional infected birds have been found in the county; however, out of an abundance of caution and in line with DHEC-prescribed action, the Emergency Management Division continues mitigation and abatement efforts to eradicate the mosquito population in the affected area.

Residents are reminded of the most effective ways to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses, including West Nile Virus:

• Repellents help keep mosquitoes from biting. Apply insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 according to label instructions.
• Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens to keep out mosquitoes.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water on your property, including flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, birdbaths, old car tires, rain gutters and pet bowls.
• Wearing light-colored clothing to cover the skin reduces the risk of bites.

For additional information regarding the West Nile Virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses, as well as other important tips, vist AndersonCountyES on Facebook or visit the following websites:

https://emd.andersonsheriff.org/west-nile-virus

http://www.scdhec.gov/HomeAndEnvironment/Insects/Mosquitoes/

Forecasters Expect Fewer Atlantic Hurricanes this Season

MIAMI (AP) - U.S. forecasters say the Atlantic hurricane season may be less active than they previously predicted.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's updated outlook predicts nine to 13 named storms, including four to seven hurricanes. Up to two hurricanes could be "major" with sustained winds of at least 111 mph (178 kph).

Four storms already have developed this year, including two hurricanes in July.

Gerry Bell of NOAA's Climate Prediction Center said Thursday that oceanic and atmospheric conditions have become "much more inhospitable to hurricane formation and intensification."

Bell said the El Nino phenomenon also may develop as the six-month season peaks. That natural warming in the Pacific Ocean tends to reduce Atlantic hurricane activity.

He warned coastal residents the forecast doesn't predict where any storms could make landfall, which is determined by short-term weather patterns.

AU to Offer Masters Degree in Learning Technology

A new master’s degree program at Anderson University will help educators and professionals from healthcare and corporations better integrate technology into their instruction and training programs.

The Master of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Technology(MS-IDLT) launches this spring. Students receive an iPad during their first course.

The new master’s degree program is offered through a collaboration between the Center for Innovation and Digital Learning(CIDL) and AU’s College of Education. The 30-credit-hour program is offered entirely online and can be completed in as little as 12 months. 

Dr. Josh Herron, associate dean in the CIDL, expects students to come to the program from diverse backgrounds.

Students who have participated in undergraduate programs at AU have always shown high interest in work being done by the CIDL. Many educators and trainers in the region already attend workshops at AU on mobile learning, technology integration and more.

Graduates of the program will be ready for jobs with titles such as instructional designer, learning technologist or trainer. These professionals collaborate with subject matter experts and use learning theories, instructional design models and multimedia to develop meaningful learning experiences.

Students in the new program will develop instructional materials using design-based approaches and immersive, interactive multimedia in real-world learning situations. They’ll learn to integrate and evaluate emerging technologies and delivery modes to understand best approaches for any learning need.

Salaries will vary for graduates of the program, since many will be adding this skill set to job duties that include administration or management. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics finds these skills in job categories such as “instructional coordinator” or “training and development manager.”

Nationally, the median pay is $62,460 per year for instructional coordinators and $105,830 per year for training and development managers. Between the two categories, more than 20,000 new jobs are expected to be created nationwide from 2016-26, and that doesn’t include openings in existing jobs due to the coming retirement wave of baby boomers.

Green Pond's Rusty Rooster Mascot Shot by Stranger

It all started Memorial Day weekend.

That's when someone apparently abandoned their rooster at Green Pond Landing & Events Center. But in the days ahead the bird became cock of the walk at the facility on Hartwell Lake.

Almost anyone who launched a boat over the summer has either seen or heard the bird, who was Christened "Rusty" almost from the start, in and around Green Pond. 

Rusty's biggest supporter was one Sharon Nicometo, one of the folks in charge of the parks and head of the Anderson County Farmers Market. 

"I started taking him scratch in the morning and at first," Nicometo said. "He would walk away until I turned my back. Then if I turned quickly I would catch him running up. He started to recognize my car and if I rode by without seeing him he would start to crow to let me know where he was."

"By the time I would circle back around he would be by the road waiting for his feed. Many days he would be by the curve where I couldn’t stop so he would run along behind my car until I parked. It was funny to look in the side view mirror and see him running along."

Nicometo said it soon became obvious Rusty was gaining fans and friends, with much evidence of food being left for him, including a recent summer tomato.

But Saturday morning was the last time she would see the bird.

On Tuesday when she arrived to feed him, Rusty was nowhere to be found. Nicometo assused the bold bird had been hit by a car, but soon discovered otherwise.

Rusty was found shot in the head and lying on the side of the road.

"He was probably just standing there waiting to see what kind of treat he was going to get as this monster prepared to shoot him," she said.

Today friends said goodbye to Rusty the Rooster, as he was given a proper burial under the big oak next to the breakdown lane at Green Pond.

Information concerning the person who shot Rusty can be reported to the Anderson County Sheriff's Department.

Farmers Market Teams Up with Block Party for Thursday Event

To help celebrate National Farmers Market Week, the Anderson Farmers Market will host the first pop-up market in the parking lot behind the Carolina Wren Park waterfall downtown Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Working in conjunction with the Main Street Downtown Block Party, the intial Thursday night market will feature produce from seven farmers, plus arts and crafts from a number of local vendors.

Eventually, the Anderson Farmers Market hopes to team up with the Block Party every Thursday night to offer fresh produce and local crafts as part of the weekly community celebration.

County Oks Fund Raising for New P.A.W.S. Dog Park

Anderson County Council formally approved a recommendation by the finance committee to create a mechanism to receive donations to build a new dog park at the Pets Are Worth Saving (P.A.W.S.) facilty.

The new facilty is expected to cost approximately $250,000, and is needed because P.A.W.S. has outgrown the current dog park setup with the influx of potential adopters and volunteers we have on a daily basis

"A number of potential donors have approached us about giving to this park, and we needed a way to collect the funds," said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.

County Moves to Clean Up Shuttered Tire Recycling Facility

by Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer 

Anderson County is putting pressure on the owners of the closed Viva Tire Recycling Center on Abbeville Highway after the announced agreement by the company to clean up their facility in Moncks Corner. 

“We put the wheels in motion the day after I saw this in the Charleston Post-Courier,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. 

Burns and Anderson County Solid Waste Director Greg Smith met with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Aug. 1 to come up with a plan for the clean up of the Anderson site. 

“We met with DHEC to discuss the issue of money for cleanup of the property,” Smith said. “We are working on an estimate of what it will cost to cleanup the site.”

Earlier this year DHEC gave the Berkely County almost $2 million to cover the cost of the cleanup, but the tires must be removed within two years. The county said its timeline is 10 months. 

Smith said the Anderson facility differs from the Berkley facility and will require a different approach to clean up the site. 

“Berkley’s cleanup will be shipping out whole tires, while the site in Anderson has more chipped up tires, shredded tires, baled tires and construction debris on the property.”

Burns is confidant after meeting with DHEC that the Anderson location will be cleaned up at no cost to the county. 

Residents in and around Homeland Park continue to complain about problems created by the site, including the property being a breeding ground for mosquitoes and rats. 

In 2017, DHEC fined the owners of the site more than $80,000 for violations at the facility, which included filing the lot with more than triple the state’s 20,000-tires legal limit. 

Other fines have been ignored by the current owners, now tentatively listed as EnviroGreen St. Stephen LLC.. which is why the county has taken action to see the site cleaned up.

“We fully expect this is going to be cleaned up sooner rather than later,” Burns said.

Council Tables Rezoning for Pregnancy Center, Moves Forward on Alcohol, Hospitality Tax Referendums

Anderson County Council on Tuesday night tabled a request rezone a portion of property at 1226 Massey Road near Pendleton for use as a crisis pregnancy home. The issue attracted nearly 100 local residents to the council meeting to voice support/opposition to the plan. 

Council, in a divided vote, tabled the request because Anderson County Councilman Ken Waters, which represents the district in question, was not in attendance due to an illness.

“I think we should start from the top again and consider this again,” said Anderson County Councilwoman Gracie Floyd. Floyd said there was not enough information for her to vote. “We should have to look at all of the information before this comes to us to vote.” 

More than a dozen residents who live in the area spoke out against the rezoning to allow for the residential St. Clare's Home crisis pregnancy center proposed by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston, which seeks to rezone the parcel as part of the 100 acre-tract of land. 

Meanwhile, al number of supporters of the center said the center was needed help meet the rising need of pregnant women in crisis. 

A representative for the diocese said the property was chosen because the location had a buffer around it, and that no expansion of the facility is planned. The home would only take pregnant women who are clean and sober. The home would house eight women, who would stay for an average of 11 months. 

The St. Clare Home would be a partnership between the Diocese of Charleston and Good Counsel, Inc., a corporation headquartered in Hoboken, NJ, which operates seven maternity homes in 4 states (NY, NJ, CT, AL). 

Those who opposed the rezoning, unanimously voiced support for the cause of the proposed crisis pregnancy center, but said the Massey Road site was not a good location for the ministry. 

“I am very concerned that the people who are for this rezoning don’t live anywhere near it, while those who oppose it live right there,” said Anderson County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson.

Anderson County Councilman Craig Wooten asked if there were notes on the recommendation and there were none available. Wooten also asked if the exception in the rezoning were approved, would open the door to other groups to locate on the property. Apparently it would impact the future of an expanded way of how the property can be used.

“We have gone through the process,” said Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn. “It’s a very worthwhile thing, but when you look at a piece of property you need to look at zoning. If this passes, in a few years, a lot of other things could be built on the property.” 

Dunn and Wilson voted to deny the request, but were defeated in the vote by Floyd, Wooten and Anderson County Councilman Tom Allen.

“I don’t see where this home would really be a big problem,” Allen said. “On the other hand, we are all representatives of the people, and a lot of the people who live adjacent to the property don’t want it, and we have to represent these people.” 

The zoning request will be moved to the Aug. 21 County Council agenda for further consideration. 

Anderson County Council also moved ahead Tuesday night with provisions to allow voters to decide on Sunday alcohol sales and weigh in on an advisory resolution to approve two percent hospitality tax for unincorporated areas of the county. 

If approved, the alcohol referendum would allow businesses, non-profit organizations and other groups to sell alcoholic beverages countywide on Sundays.

The second referendum would be used by council as an advisory vote. The two percent hospitality tax would generate approximately $3.4 million annually for recreation projects and parks in the county. Nearly all of the county’s municipalities already have the two percent hospitality tax, and the City of Anderson generates approximately $2.7 million from their hospitality tax each year. 

Full council approved recommendations of the public safety committee which met July 13 to extend the EMS contract with AnMed.

Also on Tuesday night, council:

Approved plans to explore the development  of a road for the TTI Innovation Center along I-85, which could cost $4.5 million.

Approved moving ahead with sewer line for Arthrex.

Approved plans to expand the Starr-Iva Landfill which is nearing capacity. The expansion will be paid by new debt service payment of $289,000. The current debt service payment of $358.000 wil be complete this year, so the new funds for expansion could represent some savings. A mulcher/grinder machine for the site is also being considered. The machine would cost approximately $550,000, with an estimated $75,000 per year additional cost to run the new equipment. More information here: https://youtu.be/3pdCg_QUZp0 The mulch created would be free to Anderosn County citizens.

Approved finance committee recommendations which will allow the county to accept private contributions for a dog park at P.A.W.S. 

Approved coordinated funding to move forward with the building of the new terminal at the Anderson Regional Airport.

Anderson Celebrates National Farmers Market Week

It's National Farmers Market Week, and that means it's time to fill up pantries with the freshest produce of the summer. 

Currently, the Anderson Farmers Market has tables full of almost every available produce and fruit which is
 grown locally. Tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, okra, peppers, onions, beans, corn, blueberries, peaches and bushels of other produce can be found at the market, along with local honey, crafts and more.

The Anderson Market is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 am. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special holiday markets are also held during the Christmas Season. 

The Anderson market has grown like summer squash since revising restrictive rules which hampered local farmers from selling at the market. Saturdays now feature live music and vendors spilling over under tents in the parking lot, and the crowds are continuing to grow.

"The farmers market offers our community healthy eating options, sustains local farmers while providing fresh, nutritious, homegrown," said Anderson County Councilman Tommy Dunn.

Founded in  2002, the Anderson County Farmers Market now hosts more than 30 spaces for farmers, gardeners and others to sell a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, locally grown honey, flowers, and homemade crafts. 

Farmers markets also serve as a kind of Miracle Grow for state and local economies. Growers who sell locally create 13 full-time jobs per $1 million in revenue. Those that do not sell locally create three. Farmers markets created between 257 and 361 full-time jobs in South Carolina last year.

Chinese Tariffs Cost S.C. TV Plant 126 Jobs

WINNSBORO, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina television maker says it's laying off 126 workers because of President Donald Trump's tariffs on imports from China.

Element TV Company said in a letter to state employment officials Monday that workers will be let go Oct. 5, leaving a skeleton crew of eight employees to watch the Fairfield County plant in hopes it can reopen in three to six months.

Element says the tariffs are hitting key components it uses to assemble its U.S.-made televisions. The Trump administration imposed a 25 percent import tax that included Chinese components for TVs in July.

Fairfield County is 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Columbia. The county lost about 5,000 jobs last summer when construction was halted on two nuclear reactors.

The layoffs were first reported by The State newspaper.