Why Florence isn't growing as fast as other SC cities? (credit, school)

[Woodlands]

Is growth here being defined as population, retail/commercial, arts, employment, etc etc or simply the "political/social enlightenment"? Some may argue the Florence.. has grown.... but in some categories more than others. If you are referring to population and employment,which often go hand in hand, there has been some growth particuliarly in the medical/hospital industry and a great deal of development towards the south and western portion of the City. It may not all be in the City Limits proper. Keep in mind that Florence is a mid size SC city that may be a limiting factor in and of itself. Its not Rock Hill which has the Charlotte Metro or even a Mt Pleasant which is part of the Charleston Metro.. or Spartanburg which stands as part of the Greenville Metro. It is also considered by some as "better off" than Sumter, Greenwood, and Orangeburg..so it kind of stands alone in the State on its own and therefore competing with some of these same cities.. that are larger and smaller for that same "growth".



I'm not disagreeing that Florence has room for improvement.. just curious on more specifics on where/what it is lacking and who may be responsible?

[FMUPatriot]

The problem Florence currently faces is steming from the "big city" mindset held by some city leaders when refering to development. Though people from Hartsville or Darlington may refer to Florence as the "big city", it is no where near that status. City leaders need to take advantage of the attributes Florence has to offer rather than trying to be something they are not. Future development should be largely focused around the university. Despite its' location 7 miles east of town, a large portion of FMU students live around the Coit St. area. Furthermore with little over 4k students and ranked as one of the highest employers in the whole county, FMU is easily the largest economic beneficiary Florence has. This being the case, let the downtown redevelopment mirror that of Clemson or even a Five Points in Columbia. The city leaders just need to realize that you must "grow up before you can grow out."

[suecen]

What are the opinions on Lamar? My friend in FL is moving there tomorrow!

[rickyd]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

Surely you're not including the Columbia metro area here when speaking of the Midlands being "behind"? You can't be. From 2000-2008, metro Columbia added about 81K residents, which is a growth rate of 12.5%. In comparison, the Florence metro area grew by only 3.5%, having added only 6K people. I have no idea what you mean when you say that most of the state is actually behind, especially the Midlands, when Columbia anchors the Midlands and is the largest MSA in the state. Maybe you're talking about Sumter and Orangeburg or something, but they are hardly representative of the Midlands region as a whole. The Pee Dee is far and away the slowest growing region of the state.

The Pee Dee is what I meant when I was comparing Florence to surrounding SMALLER AREAS, which was clearly stated. And yes, most of the state is behind when compared to others.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by FMUPatriot

The problem Florence currently faces is steming from the "big city" mindset held by some city leaders when refering to development. Though people from Hartsville or Darlington may refer to Florence as the "big city", it is no where near that status. City leaders need to take advantage of the attributes Florence has to offer rather than trying to be something they are not. Future development should be largely focused around the university. Despite its' location 7 miles east of town, a large portion of FMU students live around the Coit St. area. Furthermore with little over 4k students and ranked as one of the highest employers in the whole county, FMU is easily the largest economic beneficiary Florence has. This being the case, let the downtown redevelopment mirror that of Clemson or even a Five Points in Columbia. The city leaders just need to realize that you must "grow up before you can grow out."

I have often thought that the City/County and FMU need to "get on the same page" If the University prospers.. so does the City/County and visa versa. Other than maybe some sport paraphenalia at Applebees and a few billboards.. you would never know that FMU is in Florence. A stronger partnership, tasteful verticle banners, "Florence, Home of the Patriots" and similiar promotions could go along way in giving both the City and the University more identity.

The icing on the cake for good ole FMU would be for the school to get a football team. No need just yet for a fancy stadium with box seating.. though one would fit nicely in the new athletic complex being built across from the campus on 378, using an improved school district stadium would could surfice initially. As a recruiter, I would seek to fill out my roster with as many quality players from the Pee Dee as possible. This will not only give them an opportunity for a college education, but the Pee Dee LOVES football.. There is no quicker way for FMU to endear itself to the cities an little towns of the Pee Dee than to obtain a football team and fill it out with local players.. that do not get siphoned away to the State's larger schools... When I lived in Florence.. Wilson High Schools homecoming was a BIG deal.. with a parade that shut down Evans Street....I am sure that Pamplico, Johnsonville, Marion , Mullins, Lake City, etc, etc, have similiar impacts on their communities. These folks would pack a stadium to see some of their local heros square up against Missouri Southern State University.......ok more realistically if they can get out of the Peach Belt.. a nice instate rivalry against Presbyterian, North Greenville or Newberry should draw nice fans of the pigskin... oh well I can dream

[Chico020]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

I have often thought that the City/County and FMU need to "get on the same page" If the University prospers.. so does the City/County and visa versa. Other than maybe some sport paraphenalia at Applebees and a few billboards.. you would never know that FMU is in Florence. A stronger partnership, tasteful verticle banners, "Florence, Home of the Patriots" and similiar promotions could go along way in giving both the City and the University more identity.

The icing on the cake for good ole FMU would be for the school to get a football team. No need just yet for a fancy stadium with box seating.. though one would fit nicely in the new athletic complex being built across from the campus on 378, using an improved school district stadium would could surfice initially. As a recruiter, I would seek to fill out my roster with as many quality players from the Pee Dee as possible. This will not only give them an opportunity for a college education, but the Pee Dee LOVES football.. There is no quicker way for FMU to endear itself to the cities an little towns of the Pee Dee than to obtain a football team and fill it out with local players.. that do not get siphoned away to the State's larger schools... When I lived in Florence.. Wilson High Schools homecoming was a BIG deal.. with a parade that shut down Evans Street....I am sure that Pamplico, Johnsonville, Marion , Mullins, Lake City, etc, etc, have similiar impacts on their communities. These folks would pack a stadium to see some of their local heros square up against Missouri Southern State University.......ok more realistically if they can get out of the Peach Belt.. a nice instate rivalry against Presbyterian, North Greenville or Newberry should draw nice fans of the pigskin... oh well I can dream

I agree 100%, but the problem with that is the The Gregg family had it stated in the charter that there shouldn't any contact sports at Francis Marion and the university president doesn't want it because hes thinks that would give FMU a negative academic image. I wish they would reverse this because this would be bring added revenue to the university and the city and they could join the Big South Conference and play teams like Coastal or Presbyterian then I think it would be great for the state.

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by rickyd

The Pee Dee is what I meant when I was comparing Florence to surrounding SMALLER AREAS, which was clearly stated.

That's not the part of your statement I was questioning; I understood that part. But you said, "Most of the state is actually behind really, especially the midlands region." THAT'S the part I was questioning. You made it sound as if the rest of the state, particularly the Midlands, is behind the Pee Dee (which is ludicrous). You weren't really clear about that at all since you're claiming you meant otherwise.

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Chico020

I agree 100%, but the problem with that is the The Gregg family had it stated in the charter that there shouldn't any contact sports at Francis Marion and the university president doesn't want it because hes thinks that would give FMU a negative academic image. I wish they would reverse this because this would be bring added revenue to the university and the city and they could join the Big South Conference and play teams like Coastal or Presbyterian then I think it would be great for the state.

Really??? Thats absurd.... The Gregg family does hold alot of the card since they gave the University most of the land it now sits on.. I think one of them used to live on the campus up until a few years ago. I just wonder what their reasons were/are for that policy.. Maybe a future generations of Greggs would release the School...but then you would still have the President and the Board to go through.. which still aint going to make it so...

I remember going down to Coastal in the early 90s to a frat party and berating the students there about how I thought their school SUCKED ...... fast forward to today... I bet those guys would luv to find me now to have a conversation about their school...

[Woodlands]

One thing I do love about Florence is the airport.. Its the biggest little airport in the state. You can land and taxi up to the terminal like you are pulling into a parking space at Wal Mart. I was in the terminal, got my bag, in my rental car and out sitting down at 301 restaurant in less than 30 mins......unreal...They do need to upgrade the terminal.. you have to go through security screening each time you go wiz since it is outside of the secure waiting area

[rickyd]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

That's not the part of your statement I was questioning; I understood that part. But you said, "Most of the state is actually behind really, especially the midlands region." THAT'S the part I was questioning. You made it sound as if the rest of the state, particularly the Midlands, is behind the Pee Dee (which is ludicrous). You weren't really clear about that at all since you're claiming you meant otherwise.

.....I honestly don't see how I made it seem like I said most of the state is behind the Pee Dee, but I apologize if I did.