The Hive is buzzing with excitement after finishing what students and officials are calling a fantastic first semester.
York Technical College President Greg Rutherford said the facility - which offers web marketing and website design - has exceeded expectations.
"We're hopeful to be able to develop a sustainable plan to continue providing this opportunity because it is worthwhile," Rutherford said.
The Hive is combination workforce development and small business program. Located downtown, it's a partnership between several different agencies, including York Tech and Winthrop University, with a focus on bringing people downtown and giving students experience in the new technology world.
The Rock Hill City Council invested $70,000 over a two-year period.
Jason Broadwater with Revenflo, one of the companies that worked with the students, said members have received an equal return on their investment.
About 26 students from Winthrop and York Tech attended The Hive, and four to six York Tech students participated in The Hive Business Center.
"The Hive was buzzing Monday afternoons, Wednesday afternoons and all day Friday," Broadwater said."It's been a significant economic development because it creates a new perception to students of Rock Hill being a place to stay and invest."
Brenda Pineiro-Rodriguez, a York Tech student, said before she thought Rock Hill had nothing to offer her. Once she learned more about Riverwalk and the plans for that area, she began to rethink that.
"My sister and I plan to open a bakery/pastry shop sometime in the near future," she said. "Since I've been a student of The Hive...I've even thought about opening our business here in Rock Hill, maybe even at Riverwalk once it's complete."
One of The Hive's projects was a a website for the Rock Hill School District Foundation. Less than 24 hours before the website was to be featured on The Today Show, it crashed. Students in The Hive worked through the night to create a new website.
Winthrop University graduate Carrie Greene landed a job through The Hive at Williams & Fudge; 3D Systems hired another student, Murray Atkins; and Maggie Bell-Niven, a recent York Tech graduate, was hired through The Hive to work at the business center in January.
The business center has worked with more than 18 companies, doing everything from designing logos to creating entire brand concepts.
Bell-Niven said when you are standing in The Hive, looking around at all the work going on, you can't help but feel that creative spark.
"It's more than copies and flyers," Bell-Niven said. "It's been the higher-tech since day one. We've been very, very busy."
