Aiken S.C. (Charleston, Greenville, North: moving, retiree, employers)

[cyclingintheson]

With all of the growth around Aiken it will not be long before it catches up with Greenville, Charleston, and Hilton Head. Like Charleston and Greenville, Aiken has a historic well kept downtown. Un like other cities in the CSRA, Aiken does not rely on Augusta to keep it going as Aiken County has its own industry and job base. How long will it take for Aiken to become the same size as the other cities and draw in the tourism like they do?

[scyogi]

A long, long time! Aiken's biggest employers are SRS, Bridgestone, and Kimberly Clark. The road structure would need vast improvement to move that many people. PLUS, residents already complain that to many people are moving in to the community. They would be calling the 'Talk Back' section of the paper everyday complaining!!!!

[Frankie117]

Aiken is FAR from reaching the size of SC's other major cities. Aiken does sort of rely on Augusta, especially for logistical reasons. Problem now is that the city is getting flooded with new people, but the overall infrastructure remains largely unchanged. Aiken's industrial job base isn't all that impressive. Especially since Bridgestone/Firestone is not really in the city proper (it is actually several miles North of it near the Interstate). Aiken's reputation rests with its attractiveness to retirees, as well as young people (for USC).