The proposed mixed-use development project for downtown Aiken is appealing for a number of reasons, but one of the most exciting aspects to me, a life-long Aikenite, is the economic impact I believe it will have on downtown’s locally owned small businesses. With the addition of 100+ consumers in the area every day, and many more visitors expected on a regular basis, shops, restaurants and other businesses can expect to see a welcomed increase in customers and revenue.

As chair of the Aiken Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I am committed to efforts that help businesses grow and thrive in Aiken. This project does just that and has the potential to benefit all downtown businesses. The Chamber supports the City of Aiken in this endeavor and looks forward to enhancing our downtown business community with this new addition.

One of the potential tenants of the office building included in this project, the Savannah River National Laboratory, is considering establishing a workforce development center there, with plans to host a robust team of professionals and graduate students. The nearby businesses that Aiken residents have enjoyed and supported for years are in part what drew SRNL leaders to seek out a lease in this anticipated building. They know that their team will appreciate and capitalize on the proximity to these local establishments.

In fact, SRNL team members have already expressed great interest in the new location and the conveniences it will offer. Workers at the Savannah River Site have limited options for lunch and no chance to run a quick errand during a break. Moving to the heart of downtown Aiken is an attractive prospect to the individuals who will come to work in the space daily. They are eagerly anticipating the advantages of the downtown location. Visitors and students stopping by the workforce center will enjoy our unique downtown atmosphere and culture as well.

Data provided by Retail Strategies, a recognized expert in retail recruitment, shows that the introduction of this workforce and their higher incomes to downtown Aiken will increase total expenditures per person across all retail categories in the area, potentially amounting to as much as $3.3 million total of new spending annually in this market. This kind of spending has the potential to be transformational for our small businesses.

This kind of economic impact has ripple effects: With the increased foot traffic in the area driving sales, businesses may ultimately be able to offer more products or services, expand their hours, and hire additional staff. Small business owners I have spoken to know this will help them sustain, grow and thrive. Which is what we all want for our beloved downtown.

Some residents have raised questions about what impact this project might have on the feel and aesthetics of downtown Aiken. We all love the charm and character the area has, and those working to make this project a reality are working diligently to preserve those qualities while still securing a strong economic foundation for our city.

The boost to businesses through an expanded market of regular consumers is a great opportunity to ensure the downtown district continues to thrive, instead of fading away over time like so many Main Streets across the country have. The addition of new professionals, students and visitors contributes to the shared vision we have for a vibrant, healthy epicenter of Aiken that maintains the familiar culture that makes it unique.

As the process moves forward to finalize details about the mixed-use project, we hope that Aiken residents will recognize the incredible advantage this will give to our small businesses – many of which have been the backbone of our local economy for decades. We can certainly balance preserving elements of the downtown we know and love while leveling up opportunities for our business community and securing a brighter future for our community through the rigorous review process and standards the city has proposed.