ANDERSON COUNTY
County Offices
101 South Main Street
Anderson 864-260-4000
www.andersoncountysc.org
Chamber of Commerce
907 North Main Street
Anderson 864-226-3454
www.andersonscchamber.com
Anderson County is home to more than 188,000 residents. Its county seat is Anderson. Ideally located along Interstate 85, bordering Georgia, Anderson County serves as the half-way point between Atlanta and Charlotte.
Lifestyle
This area is known for its rich history and small-town appeal. Anderson County is named after Revolutionary War general Robert Anderson and was settled by Scot-Irish farmers who migrated from Pennsylvania and Virginia in the 18th century. Anderson County is home to 55,950-acre Hartwell Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake with nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline for residential and recreational use. Its communities have a quaint, small-town feel, as the area boasts one of the lowest costs of living in the United States. However, Anderson County is also a thriving industrial, commercial and tourist center.
Attracted to the peaceful countryside, small-town life, and low cost of living, artists live and work throughout Anderson County. Traditional crafts such as quilting, pottery, basket weaving, and metalwork, are being preserved as well as updated in the hands of local artisans. Downtown galleries and museums feature regional and national exhibits, and the Anderson County Arts Center holds many special events for the community, including ongoing arts classes, auctions and traveling shows. A thriving theater scene includes the Electric City Playhouse, the Anderson Community Theatre, the Anderson College Theater, Project Challenge Playhouse and Pendleton Playhouse. With the varied activities of the Anderson Symphony Orchestra Association, the Greater Anderson Music Arts Consortium (GAMAC), area musicians and groups such as the Barbershop Quartet entertain residents of the county throughout the year. Festivals honoring local customs and histories of the county’s smaller towns take place throughout the year. And the Anderson County Fairgrounds provide the setting for races, carnivals, concerts, benefits, shows, sales and the annual County Fair. Pickling contests, craft demonstrations, livestock shows, rides and fireworks bring young and old together and keep traditions alive. Anderson is also host to a hot-air balloon extravaganza and the Summer Soiree, where the city’s many restaurants set up canopied booths lining Main Street to sell samples of their specialties.
For those seeking outdoor adventure, the Blue Ridge Mountains are an easy day trip for hiking, rafting, biking or climbing. Lakes Hartwell, Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, Lake Russell, J. Strom Thurmond Lake all combine to offer nearly 3,000 miles of shoreline for residents to enjoy and provide year-round recreation: swimming, sailing, boating, canoeing, water-skiing, fishing, or just picnicking along the shore.
Horse shows, livestock sales, and equestrian events are held at the T. Ed Garrison Arena. Boasting both indoor and outdoor arenas, this facility is the largest of its kind in the Southeast. Rodeos are also hosted at the Anderson Civic Center. A number of riding farms and academies in the area provide further options for equestrians and horse fans. NASCAR fans can catch races at Anderson Speedway. And for golfers there are 12 gold courses in the county.
Anderson County offers its residents an exceptionally high quality of life steeped in small town tradition and family friendliness.
Services
With more than 230 manufacturers in the county, including 22 international companies, Anderson has a thriving business climate. The top major industries in Anderson include manufacturers of automotive products, metal products, industrial machinery, plastics, publishing and textiles. Two industries that many times interconnect are the plastic and automotive sectors. There are more than 27 BMW suppliers in the upstate, which is recognized internationally as an automotive supplier hub. The plastic industry has a strong presence in the upstate with 244 plastic companies located within the 10 counties of the northwest corner of SC. Anderson County has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry, with 27 plastic companies located within its borders.
Education is important in the county, and students are offered a quality educational program that excels in academics. The county is served by the Anderson County School System. Anderson is the home of one of the largest county school districts in South Carolina boasting five excellent public school districts that represent over fifty schools and are consistently ranking high in the state and national averages. Anderson County is the home of Anderson University, a private, selective comprehensive university of approximately 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students.
AnMed health is not only one of the top employers in the county, but also the primary care network for Anderson. AnMed Health Medical Center is the main medical facility, offering all the amenities of a standard hospital, as well as a heart and vascular center, and stroke/neurological center. Located two and a half miles north of the facility is the AnMed Health Campus which includes a women’s and children’s hospital, minor care, cancer center, speech and occupational therapy, and more. The AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital is located between the two facilities. In addition to these three network hospitals; AnMed also operates a number of smaller facilities throughout the city and county that range from a free clinic and minor care to doctor’s offices.
Anderson
City Offices
401 Main Street
Anderson 864-231-2200
www.cityofandersonsc.com
Chamber of Commerce
907 North Main Street
Anderson 864-226-3454
http://andersonscchamber.com
Anderson is home to a little more than 27,000 residents. Anderson is the smallest of the three primary cities that makes up the Upstate region and is nicknamed “The Electric City” and “The Friendliest City in South Carolina.” Anderson’s spirit and quality of life has earned national recognition as Anderson County was named an “All-America City” in 2000. With its small-town charm and urban opportunities, Anderson is the perfect home for a balanced life – inside and out. Its wide variety of eateries, shops and cultural opportunities make day-to-day living a pleasure. Gardeners and golfers can enjoy all of Anderson County’s four mild seasons. And the low cost of living makes it easy to live with amenity. Anderson is one of the premier shopping centers in The Upstate region. Locally owned stores as well as big box stores occupy Anderson, mainly on Clemson Boulevard. Midtowne Park and several other major shopping centers in Anderson include Anderson Mall, North Pointe Centre and Anderson Station. The city also offers several recreational opportunities both natural and man-made. The Anderson Recreation Center has two gymnasiums, several multi-purpose rooms available for rental, an indoor walking track (1/10 of a mile) and a fitness mezzanine that houses cardio equipment, such as treadmills, elliptical trainers, bicycles, weight stations and recumbent bikes.
The proximity of several excellent colleges and universities provides opportunities for learners of all ages. Anderson College, a liberal arts college founded in 1911, has its historic campus within the city limits. For more varied curricula, Tri-County Technical College, just up the road on Highway 76, features continuing education and associate degree programs. Nearby Clemson University, with its extension services, community outreach, and myriad cultural and sports events, provides a great resource for the community at large.
Belton
City Offices
306 Anderson Street
Belton 864-338-7773
www.cityofbeltonsc.com
Chamber of Commerce
907 North Main Street
Anderson 864-226-3454
www.andersonscchamber.com
The city is at the junction of four highway arteries with connections to i-385in Greenville County, I-26 in Laurens County and I-85 in Anderson and Greenville. Anderson is only 15 minutes away and its only 30 minutes to downtown Greenville. Far enough away for Belton to retain its small town ambiance and friendliness, but close enough to the big cities for any cultural, educational, work or shopping experience anyone would wish. With a population of 4,400 it is the second largest town in Anderson County. It is unique in having a thriving downtown business district, the historic Town Square, which is undergoing revitalization. There are many other successful business, as well as many historic sites in the city or area which is located on the S.C. National Heritage Corridor. Historic residential areas are within walking distance of the Town Square. One of these, Brown Ave., particularly reflects small town “Old South” charm and appearance. The symbol for Belton is the Standpipe. This is a 155′ tall, concrete reinforced water tank with a capacity of 165,000 gallons which was built in 1909. It towers over the city and has the appearance of a medieval castle tower. There are only three remaining in S.C. and this is the tallest.
The city is home to two elementary and one middle school, with the high school being only 10 minutes away. Other cultural and educational facilities are the Belton Center for the Arts, the Belton Depot, Ruth Drake Museum and a new branch library.
Pendleton
Town Offices
310 Greenville Street
Pendelton 864-646-9409
www.townofpendleton.org
Pendelton is a small town rich with historic charm and values. It is home to just under 3,000 residents. Residents can find everything they need close to home. Pendleton offers unique shopping for antiques, apparel, appliances, art, baked goods, crafts, electronics, flowers, furniture, gifts, jewelry and more. The Pendleton Historic District, consisting of the town and its immediate surroundings, was added to the National Register of Historical Places in 1970 as District No. 70000560. Particularly notable historic buildings on the Pendleton town square include Farmer’s Hall and Hunter’s Store. The latter is currently the headquarters of the Pendleton District Historical, Recreational and Tourism Commission. Near Pendleton are the historic plantation homes Ashtabula and Woodburn. Residents will find a broad selection of housing including everything from small homes to large historic estates. The community is home to some notable schools including Pendleton Elementary, Mt Lebanon Elementary, LaFrance Elementary, Riverside Middle School, and Pendleton High School. Tri-County Technical College is located within the Town.
Williamston
Town Offices
12 West Main Street
Williamston 864-847-7473
www.williamstonsc.us
Williamston is home to just over 3,700 residents. The town is nestled in the Foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is thriving with industrial, commercial, and tourist activity. Its proximity to the 1-85 business corridor and metropolitan areas make it a great place to live, work and play. Williamston is only 15 minutes from Greenville or Anderson and only two hours to Atlanta or Charlotte. Fun is always in season with a climate that boasts 248 days of sunshine. The town is known as a growing bedroom community with easy access to metropolitan areas, a moderate cost of living, and traditional family values. Residents share a strong community spirit that can be seen in the support of local events and annual festivals. The town is home to great schools, wonderful neighborhoods and a small town feel.
