New Incubator for Businesses, Expanding Recreation Opportunities Highlight Growth in City of Anderson

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

A community kitchen that will serve as an incubator for new businesses, more downtown housing, a new restaurant and more news on the City of Anderson including economic development, recreation and more are part of this Anderson Observer Interview with Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts.

Council Moves Offers Incentives for New Campground

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council on Tuesday approved tax incentives for a group seeking to update and reopen a defunct campground near Green Pond Landing and Event Center.

The $6.8 million investmetn in the site would have 135 campsites with full utility hookups and 10 cabins on the site. Anderson County will also work to provide sewer to Green Pond and the proposed campground facility.

Council also updated a 2014 tax incentive package for a company which has created 28 jobs with an average salary of $100,000 over the past eight years. Tetramer Technologies LLC and Hoobastank Industries LLC, for a new project (Tetramer 2) to be located in an already existing jointly owned and operated industrial park in conjunction with Greenville County (Tetramet MCIP). The company has developed a process to reduce the calories in chocolate by 50 percent.

Anderson County Council Vice Chairman Brett Sanders recapped the meeting for the Anderson Observer.

Voter Registration Deadlines Nears

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The deadline for citizens wishing to vote in the November elections is near. 

The easiest way is to register is online at SCVotes.gov, but in-person registration at the downtown Anderson office of Voter Registrations and Elections or at the Powdersville Branch of the Anderson County Library. The online deadline is Oct. 9 and the mail-in application must be postmarked by Oct. 11.

Debut County Hispanic Festival Brings Crowd to Famers Market

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County's first Hispanic Festival, with food, music, arts and crafts and other services saw a large steady, happy stream of visitors on Sunday at the Anderson County Farmers Market.

  Anderson County's Hispanic population is roughly five percent.

Standpipe Festive Greeted with Good Weather, Crowds

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

After holding their breath for most of the week, organizers of the 2022 Belton Standpipe Festival exhaled a sigh of relief when sunny skies greeted those attending the city's annual downtown event Saturday.

Weather concerns over the impact of Hurricane Ian clouded expectations for much of the week, but as forecasts revised, the decision to hold the festival was made and the crowds responded.

County Council to Hear Proposal on Veterans' Memorial Tuesday

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Anderson County Council will hear a proposal for a veterans' memorial for the Freddie Stowers Veterans Park as part of Tuesday's regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse downtown.

Council will also vote on third reading, tax incentives for economic development property in the county.

At the 6 p.m. recognitions meeting, council will honor Mary B. Forrester for her service to the Town of Iva.

Full agenda here.

AIM's Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat Under Way

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

What if, instead of just eating candy on Halloween, you helped make it possible for hundreds of families to have food to eat?  You can this holiday by Trick or Treating for canned goods rather than candy.

You can help stock the food pantry at AIM during the Halloween season, heading into the holiday season. Each month AIM assists hundreds of families with their food needs, and families needing to ask for help to make ends meet. And the need is growing. 
 
During the annual food collection effort, canned goods and non-perishable items are collected to stock AIM's food pantry. Soups, canned vegetables, canned meats, rice, beans, peanut butter, pasta are among the most requested items.

This annual event helps jump-start the busy holiday season and AIM is asking the entire community to join. 

Any class/group/club or individual can particiapte. There are many ways to become involved: forming a team to collect in neighborhoods, collect within your church, school organization or bring your own creative ideas to help. AIM offers any materials you might need along with lots of support, while you provide the volunteer power and enthusiasm during the last two weeks of October.

AIM’s Hunger Ministries serves more than 750 families every month. AIM also has holiday distributions for Thanksgiving and Christmas to provide families with items to cook their holiday meals.

For more information about AIM, or how you can help, please call 864-965-9083 or visit our website at www.aimcharity.org.

Mayor Says Growth Accelerating in Williamston

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Williamston is experiencing a season of unprecedented growth, with new businesses, housing starts, events and opening of new public place for citizens.

Mayor Rockey Burgess discusses these and his own good news in this interview with the Anderson Observer.

Report: 22 Acres at Concord/Parkway Intersection Sell Ends Annexation Consideration

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The property on the corner of Concord Road and the East-West Parkway the City of Anderson was considering for annexation is no longer on the market.

The 22-acre plot was purchased Thursday by long-time Anderson businessman Randolph Hayes who reportedly has no plans for the land other than he does not plan to sell the property to developers. Hayes, who lives in the are and owns other property there, is also expected to discuss the current drainage issues with Anderson County for future improvements.

The city's consideration of development, which a spokesperson for city said is based on interest by developers, would have included rezoning to allow mixed development and dense housing units on the site, which has struggled with drainage issues in the subdivisions downstream of the property since the construction of the parkway. The plans would have been a reversal of the county's strict zoning for single-family residential housing promised neighbors along the three-mile four-lane road.

For more information, see Observer story here.

Festival of Trees Returns to Help Anderson Free Clinic

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson Free Clinic is brining back an annual holiday tradition with the reboot of the Festival of Trees with a series of events at Bleckley Station beginning November 17.

Creative volunteers from across the community will decorate trees and make them available for auction in plenty of time for hall decking this holiday season.

A luncheon is set for Nov. 17, followed by a "Snow Ball" event Nov. 18 and "Goodies with the Grinch" Nov. 19.

The holiday collection is a philanthropic celebration benefiting The Anderson Free Clinic which provides a healthcare home for the uninsured and underserved population in Anderson County, including those with long-term health issues, or dental/vision needs.

For more information, call (864) 226-1294.

Community Effort, Planning Boosts Pelzer Growth, Improvements

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Upgraded facilities, a strategic plan, and a discussion of fall events are all part of this Anderson Observer update with Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland.

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Observer Reports

Rosh Hashanah kicks off today as  Jewish communities our area begin celebrating the high holidays in the weeks ahead.

The festival is followed by fast days, including Yom Kippur which starts on Oct. 4, and further festivities throughout the Jewish month of Tishrei. Families and friends come together to celebrate at this time of year, and many congregate in synagogues to hear the blowing of the shofar – a musical horn. 

Festivals and fast days are observed throughout the holy month of Tishrei,  starting with Rosh Hashanah which literally means 'head of the year'. 

According to the Hebrew calendar, which is based on both the moon and the sun, each new day starts at sundown and this new year will be number 5782. The Rosh Hashanah celebration, which lasts two days, starts at sundown on Sunday, September 25, and ends at nightfall on Tuesday, September 27.

Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, involves a 25-hour fast, starting this year at sundown on Tuesday, October 4 until nightfall on Wednesday, October 5.

Families and friends typically come together to celebrate with a meal on both nights which is preceded by a ceremony involving prayers and special foods.

Apples are dipped in honey to mark a sweet and fruitful new year and pomegranates, honey cake and round challah bread are also consumed. The first day of Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of ten holy days known as the high holidays - or the high holy days - which is a time of repentance for Jews. 

Throughout this time of year, many congregate in synagogues to worship, particularly on Rosh Hashanah and on the tenth day – the fast of Yom Kippur.

In synagogue, the blowing of the shofar - a ram's horn - must be heard by congregants at the new year service as well as at the end of Yom Kippur. 

At Rosh Hashanah, Jewish people say ' shanah tova', which  means 'good year', or ' shanah tovah u'metukah ', which is Hebrew for 'a good and sweet new year'. "On behalf of everyone at the council I would like to wish everyone a sweet and healthy year. Shana Tova and well over the fast."

Library to Offer Special Parking for Purple Hear Recipients

Observer Reports

The Anderson County Library will unveil new parking for veterans Tuesday.

At 9 a.m., the Purple Heart parking space at the main libraray branch will be available to those who have been injured in service to their country.