A healthier, wealthier Fort Mill for 2022? Healthcare leads major new business growth
Editor’s note: Today The Herald wraps up 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 Fort Mill.
A healthier New Year is a common resolution. As calendars swap out in Fort Mill, it’s the whole town with an eye toward healthcare changes in coming months.
Mayor Guynn Savage and Fort Mill Economic Partners executive committee member Elizabeth Bowers each point to the new hospital under construction as a major achievement in Fort Mill. Both see challenges and opportunities for business growth in 2022.
Here’s their outlook on the year spent, and a new one to come:
What are some of the biggest business openings, projects or success stories in Fort Mill for 2021?
Savage: While we are continuing to see new business in Fort Mill, we are very grateful for the efforts for all our businesses working to stay open during the challenges of 2020 and 2021.
After a 15-plus year wait, the construction on the new hospital being built by Piedmont on Highways 160 and 21 is moving along quickly. This will be a 100-bed hospital with an original cost estimate of $170 million. The 40-acre site will also host a 60,000-square-foot medical building. Piedmont also received a new certificate of need in October for the “establishment of diagnostic cardiac catheterization lab” for a cost of an additional $1.7 million. This will be a tremendous addition to Fort Mill with easier access to healthcare, job opportunities and a new community partnership with Piedmont.
Fort Mill also is seeing a new building going up on the Southern Bypass at Doby’s Bridge and Holbrook Road, which Atrium Heath will lease for medical offices. A new emergency response center opened this year on Gold Hill Road and was built and is operated by Piedmont.
We expect construction to begin soon on the new Encompass Health Rehab center off of Pleasant Road.
Health care is vital in any year, but these additional resources are needed more than ever with the pandemic in year two.
A new adult assisted living facility was proposed and accepted by the town to be built in conjunction with a mixed use development that includes commercial and age restricted residencies just off the southern bypass and Williams Road.
Downtown Fort Mill saw the openings of Terrier Financial, Good eats, and Emmets Social Table. Replay Brewery opened in Kingsley, 1873 Brewery are open and operating; Little York Brewing Company should be opening soon.
As the calendar turns to 2022, what’s the biggest ongoing economic development project in Fort Mill? How will it change Fort Mill?
Bowers: The completion of the new Piedmont Medical Center hospital in Fort Mill will bring additional medical options to our immediate area.
Savage: Additional health care options for our community will help our residents have easier access, not leaving our town, county, nor state. The planned new Harris Teeter on the southern bypass will give new options for groceries on the east side of town.
What’s a major business development effort that will happen in 2022 that folks may not know much about yet?
Bowers: South Carolina Business Tax Standardization Act (Act 176) will significantly change how businesses pay for and interact with municipalities in 2022 including Fort Mill. Business owners should also keep an eye on the hopeful resolution to the Fort Mill School District disagreement with York County (on impact fees). Should the disagreement get cleared up, property owners should expect significant tax relief in 2022.
Savage: The rug showroom on Spratt Street is posted as under contract and Kimbrell’s Furniture downtown is thought to be under contract — but no information is available on who is purchasing or what they may become. New retail and office space will be coming to the two stores on Main Street that most recently were Mack Mercantile.
A new restaurant is coming to the site that was once Wallace Coleman’s Wrecker and Service Station on 160. It will feature chicken sandwiches and will have outdoor seating.
What’s the biggest business challenge Fort Mill faces in 2022?
Savage: There are several challenges that all businesses face — the pandemic, higher costs and employment issues. Our businesses are nothing less than tenacious in working to continue to serve Fort Mill.
On a positive note, hopefully with a new interchange at I-77 and 160 to be completed in 2024, and new commercial options on the east side, some traffic congestion relief will occur.
Bowers: Businesses continue to struggle to find qualified applicants to fill entry level job positions. Supply chain issues will also continue to challenge businesses in 2022.
What businesses will folks see more of in Fort Mill at the end of 2022 than they do now?
Bowers: Professional services, childcare facilities, as well as additional medical care businesses surrounding the new hospital will all expand in 2022.
Savage: We are very pleased that the business and commercial growth continues in Fort Mill. Our community loves a good restaurant and a variety of services. Here’s to seeing what 2022 might bring!
