Cities and towns are the economic engines that power the state's competitiveness and drive the success of regional cooperation and growth. Cities and towns are cores of innovation, productivity and workforce labor. Cites and towns are home to little league games, ballet recitals, start-up businesses and families. Cities mean different things to different people, but to the state and its economic success, cities mean business.
February is "Cities Mean Business" month in South Carolina, and cities and towns are celebrating their strong partnership with local businesses and the ability to attract more businesses to the region.
Few cities in the state have more reason to celebrate than Greer. The arrival of such new businesses and industries as BMW Manufacturing and Mitsubishi Polyester Film LLC during the past 20 years has ignited unprecedented growth, placing Greer among the fastest-growing cities in South Carolina. They have brought families and young professionals -- citizens who appreciate convenient services and shopping -- to a community with an unsurpassed quality of life. From 1990 to 2000, Greer's population grew by 63 percent and projections indicate that the city will continue to grow by as much as 11 percent annually.
More businesses draw new residents. New residents draw more businesses. It is a continuing cycle that has proven successful in Greer.
How successful? In 2006, total retail sales in Greer were $538,434,000 -- a 96 percent increase from 2002 and a 26 percent increase from 2005. Unemployment rates in Greer are consistently below state and national averages and current projections point toward an 18 percent job growth rate in Greer over the next 10 years.
In the city of Greer, business is good and the state of the city is exceptional. We are celebrating the construction of a new police and municipal court building, as well as a new city hall that will house the majority of our city's municipal services in one place to make it easy for residents and businesses. We are celebrating the resurgence of life into our downtown district, Greer Station, as a central gathering place for merchants, residents and visitors.
Over the coming months, Greer will continue to evolve to meet the needs of a changing and growing population that demands a positive quality of life and a bustling region with opportunities for growth and new businesses.
In the midst of this growth, we have not forgotten what it means to be a community. Greer offers more than 17 parks and recreational facilities, including three lakes, and a short drive to state and national forests and parks. Local amenities include art and history museums, a community theater, festivals, golf, fishing, boating, hiking and biking. Children learn in more than 15 award-winning schools in Greer, and the Greenville Hospital System and Spartanburg Regional Healthcare are constructing state-of-the-art medical campuses here.
I have joined the rest of our city's leaders in a commitment not only to growth but to smart growth. We remain ever cognizant that our city's vibrant business climate makes this possible.
On Wednesday, local leaders from around the state gathered in Columbia to have their voices heard at the Statehouse as the leaders who make the decisions closest to the people. This also was a chance for local leaders to celebrate with their business leaders the strong and positive collaboration and projects.
Hometowns mean different things to different people. Our hometown is a growing economic hub of business and industry whose real strength comes from its residents. Our hometown means a quality of life, exceptional services, proud residents and booming business. Our city means business.