What will 2022 bring Rock Hill? New restaurants, jobs, industrial recruits are likely
Editor’s note: Today The Herald continues it s series of articles looking at economic development in some key areas of York County, both in 2021 and into 2022. Responses have been edited for space. This article focuses on Rock Hill, the state’s fifth largest city.
Pro football, new restaurants and bars, revitalized business sites, a plan to reshape the south side. Rock Hill either has it, or it’s on the way.
Jennifer Wilford is director of economic and urban development for the city. It’s a busy job of late with a long list of 2021 projects and still more on tap for 2022.
Here are some of the highlights Wilford sees in the city:
What are some of the biggest business openings, projects or success stories in Rock Hill for 2021?
2021 was a big year for Rock Hill! Even amid the pandemic we had several major announcements. It’s hard to narrow down the list but here are the ones at the top of my list:
▪ The Perch at Cherry and Oakland which already announced Hobos and Off the Tracks brewery
▪ The Exchange, a mixed use retail and residential development that has already started to change the footprint of our downtown and welcomed the installation of world renowned artist, Shepard Fairey’s, mural this fall
▪ The Nest at University Center, a 305-bed student housing development
▪ The Common Market on West Main Street
▪ The Gravity Center, York County’s hub for entrepreneurship
▪ The Cotton Warehouse along Dave Lyle Blvd which is being transformed from an old textile mill structure to a new bar concept called Hoppin’
▪ And the announcement of White Point’s redevelopment plans for the former Herald site
We also welcomed several exciting industrial projects including DIRTT Environmental Solutions, Scentsy, Arrival, and the first business in Aspen business park, The Southwood Corporation.
As the calendar turns to 2022, what’s the biggest ongoing economic development project in Rock Hill? How will it change Rock Hill?
Certainly the Panthers project is a major ongoing economic development project that is going to change Rock Hill in major ways. It is bringing major investment, job opportunities, recreational amenities and the NFL to our community. We are so excited for its 2023 opening.
But I have to say, what I’m most excited about going into 2022 is the Clinton ConNEXTion action plan and the tangible vision it lays out for the revitalization of the Southside of Rock Hill. This began as a grassroots, community-driven planning effort to define and prioritize the community’s wants and needs. A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes for many years, and I think 2022 is the year we all begin to see the fruits of those labors.
What’s a major business development effort that will happen in 2022 that folks may not know much about yet?
Well, I think to some degree that may also be the Clinton ConNEXTion Action Plan. The plan was finalized this summer, and I think is starting to gain some traction in the public, and I hope we see more of that in the upcoming year. Implementation of the plan has included a new proposed Southside Tax Increment Finance district, which will create a funding mechanism to accelerate the overall implementation of the plan.
Also included in this proposed TIF district is a large swath of industrial property along I-77 and Porter Road. These properties create the opportunity for industrial recruitment on a much larger scale than anything we’ve seen before and we are looking forward to ongoing conversations with these property owners to define a vision and strategy for what this area could become.
What’s the biggest business challenge Rock Hill faces in 2022?
Unfortunately, Rock Hill is not immune to the same challenges we are all facing at a national level — labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and high material costs.
What businesses will folks see more of Rock Hill at the end of 2022 than they do now?
Restaurants! Rock Hill is already a great place to find amazing food, and 2022 looks to be on track to welcome even more great restaurants.
This story was originally published December 31, 2021 at 9:09 AM.
