Killian says growth in Aiken County is 'pretty incredible'

Dede Biles, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·2 min read

Jan. 18—Aiken County Administrator Clay Killian described the growth in Aiken County as "pretty incredible" during a meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Aiken on Jan. 13 at The Willcox.

He also provided some statistics to back up that statement.

Killian said that county personnel conducted 2,009 building inspections in November 2021. That represented a significant increase from the total of 1,338 in November 2020.

"We can barely keep up with inspections," Killian said.

The value of the building permits issued by the county in November 2021 was $41,754,018 compared to $13,516,704 in November of the previous year.

The figures were based on a report prepared by the Aiken County Planning and Development Department.

That report also showed that the number of building permits issued in November 2021 totaled 239, up from 150 in November 2020.

"If you've driven through the Horse Creek Valley, down Highway 1 and out Bettis Academy Road, that's where most of our growth is happening right now," Killian said. "There is rooftop after rooftop after rooftop being built."

Killian also provided an update on the old Aiken County Hospital on Richland Avenue West in Aiken.

In April 2021, an agreement was reached for the county to sell the former medical facility and its land to 828 Richland Associates LLC for $1.15 million.

A 180-day due diligence period followed. Then Richland Associates asked for and County Council approved a 90-day extension because the South Carolina Education Television telecommunication tower on the property hadn't been demolished yet.

The extension period was nearing its end as of Jan. 13.

"I met with the developer (on Jan. 12)," Killian said. "They have some really, really nice plans that they're not ready to show. I think they (the plans) are going to be a game changer for that part of the community."

Before the county's deal with Richland Associates is finalized, there are a "few hurdles to get over," Killian said.

He added that the incentive package for Richland Associates "might have to be restructured a little bit to make all the numbers work."

Preparations for the construction of a new tower near the Aiken County Department of Public Safety have begun.

The old tower could be removed from the old Aiken County hospital's property by early March, Killian said.

He later told the Aiken Standard that Richland Associates hasn't asked the county for another extension.

After the old hospital closed, it was the headquarters for Aiken County's government for a while.

Then the Aiken County Government Center was built on University Parkway.

That facility opened in 2014.

The registered agent for 828 Richland Associates is Charles I. Small, a Columbia-based real estate developer, according to information reported on the South Carolina Secretary of State's website.