Mayor Reflects on Successes of 2011, Looks Ahead to Challenges in 2012

December 27, 2011

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal

Greenwood, SC – The City of Greenwood had several bright spots in 2011, including the opening of several large retail stores, the completion of one construction project in Uptown Greenwood and the beginning of another, plus a series of successful events, including the Festival of Discovery.

However, the city could face some difficulties in 2012, particularly as it relates to what is shaping up to be a trying budget year.

Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams talked Monday about the city's bright spots in 2011 and the challenges it faces in the new year.

In examining 2011, the mayor said he was glad to see several large national retailers set up shop in Greenwood. T.J. Maxx opened a store in Greenwood Mall in September, while national craft retailer Michael's had its grand opening in the mall in October.

Greenwood Mayor Welborn Adams

Meanwhile, Hobby Lobby also opened a Greenwood location in September, setting up across the street from the mall in the old Winn-Dixie building.

Meanwhile, another potential retail announcement could be in the works, as economic development Project Smoke continues to be a topic of conversation among city and county leaders and developers.

Adams said Greenwood made strides in retail development in 2011.

"(Mall owners) Hull Storey (Gibson) came in and put a facelift on the mall," the mayor said. "We had new retail stores with T.J. Maxx and Michael's coming in. Then across the road, we had Hobby Lobby. It was good to see the retail side of the city growing. When I went by during Christmas, the mall parking lot was packed. It was like the 1980s again. I think there were a lot less people going out of town to do their shopping.

"Another good thing about that retail growth is, even though they aren't the highest paying jobs, they are new jobs, so that was good."

In regard to Uptown, the mayor cited as positives the completion of the facade improvements along Long Alley and the beginning of the streetscape work on Court Avenue. Both projects are being paid for mostly with grant funds, and the mayor said he thinks the work will add to the aesthetics of an Uptown area that has gotten quite a facelift in recent years.

Adams also noted the city had another solid year in hosting events, with perhaps the key Uptown event being the annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery. The barbecue and blues party had perhaps its strongest year yet.

According to the Uptown Greenwood Development Corporation, the economic impact of the 2011 Festival of Discovery was just more than $1.4 million, which was up from the $1.2 million economic impact the festival had in 2010. There was a 14 percent increase in the overall revenue generated directly or indirectly by the festival.

UGDC reports indicated revenue at local hotels for Festival of Discovery weekend was more than $66,000.

Attendance at the festival was also up this year. City officials estimated attendance for 2011 at 27,000. That topped the previous high attendance at the festival, which was 25,000.

According to UGDC Manager Angie Jones, festival participants and attendees were from 213 Zip codes, 15 states and three countries (U.S., South Korea, and France).

"I thought the Festival of Discovery was great this year," Adams said. "I think it will continue to grow. If I had one complaint about the (2011) Festival of Discovery, it was that it rained on Friday night and drove some people away. ...I think this festival has become something that a lot of people from out of town have on their calendars right now.

"We are well positioned to make (the festival a stronghold, and I think it will continue to thrive.

While there were a number of positives in 2011, Adams admitted the city's budget in 2012 will present a challenge.

City Council has just completed a brutal budgeting process, one in which Council members were forced to address a $600,000 budget shortfall that came about, for the most part, because of declining revenue in several areas.

To address that shortfall, the Council implemented a $50 annual public works fee on residential properties, eliminated 5 city positions, temporarily closed city fire station No. 3, eliminated employee Christmas gift cards and made other cuts. City employees also will not receive a cost-of-living salary increase.

Last week, Council conducted a public hearing on the budget during which a cavalcade of local residents went to the lectern to assail Council about the $50 public works fee.

City Manager Charlie Barrineau has said the 2012 budget will be such a touch-and-go situation Council could be called upon to revisit certain items on a monthly basis.

Adams said the budget process has been, and likely will continue to be, a challenge.

"When you are dealing with a municipal budget, you've got to balance it," the mayor said. "We've go to find revenues and try to avoid any more cuts. I think we've cut as much as we can while still maintaining our service level. Going forward, we've got to keep looking for revenue and evalute on a monthly basis how we are doing."