When will Metro Augusta reach 600,000 (Washington, Jefferson: live, restaurants, shop)

[lilmusket]

The article in the paper that referenced this modest population gain said that it was entirely from natural growth, ie increased births and decreased death rates. To see truly rapid growth of what you are predicting then there will need to be a massive influx of new residents to the area. I have not seen this trend develop so far, especially not in Augusta. Augusta goes from a population decrease over a 6 year period to now a very modest 0.9 % gain.. how does that translate into a trend of "huge" growth in the double digits? The numbers that exist do not spot this trend. And in an economy where unemployment hovers around 10%, how are all of these people going to be moving to Augusta. Where will they work? We need to see unemployment in this area get below 5% before we see rapid population growth occur. I believe the when big growth does hit the area you will see it occur in North Augusta and Aiken County.

[nortonguy]

The city of Augusta growth rate from 2007-2008. Was 1.1%, Richmond county grew at 1.2 or 1.3%.

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/49607107.html

Again there are over 20,000 jobs coming to Augusta by 2015.

If Metro Augusta has never lost population before. And from 2007-2008 gained 7,000 people. There is already a influx of new residents. 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 census will be alot higher than 7,000.

[nortonguy]

There is a reason why.

DOT chosed to build a smaller version of Atlanta's spaghetti junction, Grovetown I-20 interchange, Palmetto Pkwy, Thomson Bypass, St. Sebastian, widen and add new exits and ramps on I-520 in South Augusta.

It's probably the same reason. Why Apple, Sephora, Imax, LA Sunset Tan, Williams-Sonoma, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Coach, Jared Galleria of Jewlery, Chop House, PF Changs, Aldo, Aerie, Buckle, Walking Company, Kobe Steakhouse, and Mcallisters Deli are here.

And its the same reason why BuyBuy Baby. Built their first GA store in Augusta.

Its called a growing city and metro. I.E a influx of new residents.

[nortonguy]

The construction includes six new bridges. Keene says three of the new bridges will be covered with brick to match the look of the historic mills downtown.

And because Augusta keeps growing, DOT engineers say this will help with the extra traffic.

"We believe it will add extra capacity downtown, adding a four lane that passes through everything downtown, all the signal work, bypasses the train. We think it will be a big boom to downtown Augusta," Keene said.
The St. Sebastian Parkway project should be finished by July 2010.
Latest on St. Sebastian extension project

[nortonguy]

Charleston, Mobile, Greensboro, Savannah, Columbia, Hunstville, Chattanooga, Winston-Salem, and Greenville. Economies Im sure will grow by 2015. But their economies will not double by 2015. Like Augusta's will.

"Really, what we're looking at is billions of dollars being invested in this local economy," the mayor said. "To my mind, it is the perfect storm of economic development."

During the next five years, more than $14 billion -- most of it not stimulus money -- will be poured into projects at Fort Gordon, Plant Vogtle and Savannah River Site, creating thousands of temporary construction jobs and permanent high-tech jobs.

"You're talking about doubling the size of the region's economy," said Mark Thompson, the Cree-Walker Chair of Business Administration at Augusta State University.

Good-paying jobs and steady paychecks mean more demand for everything from restaurant meals to new cars, but whether that will dry up once the programs have run their course in the latter part of the next decade remains to be seen.

An influx of residents could put burdens on schools and police and fire services, translating to higher taxes.

"This could be the beginning of some very interesting challenges," Dr. Bachtel said. "But those challenges are much better than the spiral of decline like you're seeing in southwest Georgia. Be thankful for your problems."

"It's going to be a tremendous shot in the arm," Mr. Sprouse said.

Roadway infrastructure to accommodate commuters is already in place in Augusta, he said, and the key will be maintaining it.

"I think what it's gonna result in is a lot of crash planning taking place,"

[Hot_Mike]

Originally Posted by lilmusket

The article in the paper that referenced this modest population gain said that it was entirely from natural growth, ie increased births and decreased death rates. To see truly rapid growth of what you are predicting then there will need to be a massive influx of new residents to the area. I have not seen this trend develop so far, especially not in Augusta. Augusta goes from a population decrease over a 6 year period to now a very modest 0.9 % gain.. how does that translate into a trend of "huge" growth in the double digits? The numbers that exist do not spot this trend. And in an economy where unemployment hovers around 10%, how are all of these people going to be moving to Augusta. Where will they work? We need to see unemployment in this area get below 5% before we see rapid population growth occur. I believe the when big growth does hit the area you will see it occur in North Augusta and Aiken County.

Who cares if Augusta population declines? As long as they live in the metro, they will shop, eat, work and play in Augusta. The decline of population was due to the growth of Columbia County. Now, Augusta has gain back some ground while Aiken County is making strides. That awesome. hell, Im ok if we lose 5,000 people to Burke County and the city of Greenville is only 56,000 strong.

[DSMRE]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

Actually Augusta will grow faster than its peers. By 2010 the number of new residents. Will jump from 7,000 a year to 15,000-16,000. Then by 2011-2012 Metro Augusta will start growing by 16,000 to 18,000.

2007-2008 new residents
Greensboro 9,000
Charleston 14,000
Greenville 12,000
Columbia 12,000
Augusta 7,000
Savannah 6,000

So you think these other cities don't have things going on? Hmmm. We just don't talk about them. Those cities are in the same recession Augusta is experiencing and when its over guess what? There numbers will more than likely increase. Lets be real. The old GSA metro grew by 20k+ last year and will probably be back this census.

[DSMRE]

Originally Posted by Hot_Mike

Who cares if Augusta population declines? As long as they live in the metro, they will shop, eat, work and play in Augusta. The decline of population was due to the growth of Columbia County. Now, Augusta has gain back some ground while Aiken County is making strides. That awesome. hell, Im ok if we lose 5,000 people to Burke County and the city of Greenville is only 56,000 strong.

Thats because its city limits are only 26.1 square miles and its urban core extends outside of that. Greenville County boast over 430k, its metro over 630k, and its csa(old metro) over 1 million ! Thats why it has stuff Augusta doesn't. Its bigger! Using Augusta-Richmond's consolidation method Greenville is a city of 430k! Hmmm

[nortonguy]

Originally Posted by motonenterprises

So you think these other cities don't have things going on? Hmmm. We just don't talk about them. Those cities are in the same recession Augusta is experiencing and when its over guess what? There numbers will more than likely increase. Lets be real.
The old GSA metro grew by 20k+ last year and will probably be back this census.

Of course those cities have things going on. But those cities economies are not going to double by 2015.

Augusta doesn't have a CSA to boost pouplation.

[DSMRE]

Originally Posted by nortonguy

Of course those cities have things going on. But those cities economies are not going to double by 2015.

Augusta doesn't have a CSA to boost pouplation.

Have you done research on those other cities? Probably not because your so busy boosting Augusta you never get outside of that world. Augusta doesn't have a CSA is because it doesn't qualify by census bureau standards. GSA interconnects down 85. So they come to Greenville for things.