Upstate South Carolina
The Upstate area of South Carolina is one of the fastest growing regions in the nation. One of the busiest interstates in America, I-85, connects the three rapidly growing areas of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson conveniently located halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina.
There are many factors affecting the explosive growth in the Upstate. The quality of life, the moderate climate, and the close proximity to mountains and beaches combined with the low cost of living and economic and educational opportunities are fostering a community of unique development.
The Upstate is home to over 215 international companies, including Bowater Incorporated, the headquarters of Michelin North America, General Electric, Hitachi, Bosch, and BMW. The cities of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson are poised for massive expansion in the 21st century economy. For example, the BMW plant, currently located on I-85 between Greenville and Spartanburg, employs over 4,500 workers. And, there is talk of a second BMW plant in the region!
In addition, there are seven colleges and universities in the area that provide educational opportunities for learners of all ages. Clemson University is located just minutes to the south of Anderson and Greenville. Clemson is building a 400-acre automotive research campus (ICAR) in Greenville, SC which promises to make South Carolina a hub of the nation's automotive and motor sports industry. The International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR) will provide R&D-driven innovation for the motor sports and automotive industries.
S.C. ranks sixth in nation for home value appreciation over the past year!
December 1, 2008
GSA Daily Staff Report
South Carolina ranks sixth in the rate of appreciation for single-family homes over the past year, according to third-quarter statistics released Tuesday by the U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Nationally, home values dropped 4% from the third quarter of 2007 to the third quarter of 2008, the report said. During that time in South Carolina, values rose 2.42%.
The nation's 4% four-quarter decline was the largest four-quarter drop in the history of the index, which started in 1975.
The quarterly report from the Federal Housing Finance Agency is based on sales and refinancing data for existing single-family homes. Transactions included in the data are conforming, conventional mortgages purchased or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
The report ranks states and metro areas only by yearly changes, but it also lists value changes for the third quarter of 2008. Those quarterly numbers are negative for most states and metro areas.
During the third quarter, home values dropped 0.45% in South Carolina, compared with a 2.68% drop nationally. Among metro areas ranked by appreciation from third quarter 2007 to third quarter 2008, the Greenville-Mauldin-Easley MSA was No. 9 in home appreciation during the past year, at 4.55%. For the quarter, the Upstate MSA saw home values drop 0.61%.
Also in the Upstate, Spartanburg was No. 11, with a 4.12% appreciation rate over the year and 2.2% in the third quarter. Anderson was No. 39, with 2.28% appreciation over the year and a drop of 1.86% over the most recent quarter.
Augusta-Richmond County MSA, which covers parts of South Carolina and Georgia, was No. 2 in the nation. The area, which saw values increase 5.48% over the year, fell behind only the Austin-Round Rock MSA in Texas.
The Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville MSA came in at No. 65, with 1.37% appreciation over the last year. The area's values fell 0.3% during the third quarter of 2008.
The Columbia MSA is listed at No. 24, with 2.92% appreciation during the year. For the quarter, home values dropped 0.05%.
Greenville, SC rated “Top Micro City”
Magazine notes economic potential
By David Dykes • BUSINESS WRITER • April 21, 2009
Greenville is the top North American city of less than 100,000 population in terms of prospects for economic development and business expansion, a global magazine says.
The city ranked No. 1 among fDi Magazine's "micro cities of the future" for 2009-10, based on several criteria, including economic potential, human resources, cost-effectiveness, quality of life, infrastructure, business friendliness, and promotion strategy.
The magazine, which follows issues that concern foreign investors, says in its April/May issue that Greenville has the top economic potential of any North American city of its size and the second-best business climate behind Wilmington, Del.
Nancy Whitworth, Greenville's economic development director, said Monday the ranking recognizes the community's work to ensure the city's reputation for a good business environment, particularly international investment.
Hank Hyatt, the Greenville Chamber's vice president of economic development, agreed. "We already have a strength in international investment in the Upstate, so again this just continues that story," he said.
The magazine said its judging criteria for economic potential included population forecast, unemployment rate and foreign-direct investment, including projects within the high-tech service and manufacturing sectors.
South Carolina's unemployment rate reached 11.4 percent in March the highest it has been in the state, according to the state Employment Security Commission. Greenville County's jobless rate climbed to 9.6 percent from 9.4 percent in February, but the county remains one of the state's best counties for employment.
Quality of Life
Greenville, SC offers a moderate climate with a full change of seasons.
- Average annual temperature: 59 F
- Average rainfall: 50.45 in
- Average snowfall: 1.20 in
- Average January minimum 35.1 F
- Average July maximum 89 F
Greenville's public school system is the largest in the state, and includes eight magnet academies for special study at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.
Over nine colleges and universities are located in and within close proximity of Greenville.
The Greenville Hospital System is the state's most comprehensive health care provider and one the Southeast's leading medical facilities.
Greenville is the cultural and entertainment center for the Upstate, including an award winning downtown, a major performing arts center, a 17,000 seat arena, a 368,000 square foot exhibition center, nationally recognized museum collections, and 39 parks, playgrounds and recreation centers.