“More unified county: embrace Upstate, more community pride.”

 

No matter how much people love their home town, there are always frustrations and room for improvement. This time, the top response categories were cohesion/unity/mindset and housing—the feeling that there was a lack of unity among the towns and a lack of affordable, quality housing was expressed numerous times. Other responses related to economy/workforce, education, infrastructure, quality of life, services/facilities, and youth.

 

 

Cohesion/Unity/Mindset

  • A better job of connecting the cities, etc., within the county
  • Apathy
  • Build ownership in the community
  • Competition between cities and counties
  • Lack of curiosity to outside ideas
  • More inclusive culture
  • More unified/cohesive county (5 responses)
  • Resistance to change
  • More support
  • The anti-tax/anti-everything would help us do positive things instead of negative
  • People in need not to be seen as moral failures; need an understanding of challenges most of the community faces—no judgment

Economy/Workforce

  • A tech center to create jobs for those not going to college/workforce development
  • Career center where students and adults could learn employment skills that industries need
  • Better paying jobs
  • Money to reinvest in our community
  • More growth
  • More industry
  • More jobs
  • The mill skeletons: Lydia, Clinton, etc.

Education

  • Better education system
  • Better schools
  • Low level of education
  • Quality of education
  • School ratings

Housing

  • Better housing in medium price range (3 responses)
  • More housing options (6 responses)
  • Fewer mobile homes
  • Lack of housing/retail/restaurants (2 responses)

Infrastructure

  • Better roads
  • Land use planning: sewer infrastructure for residential developments
  • More zoning
  • Schools and roads

Quality of life

  • Businesses remain open beyond 10:00 p.m.
  • Culture: civic pride/clean up abandoned property/attractions (2 additional responses)
  • More parks for quality of life
  • More pedestrian focus (destination focused)
  • More planning for quality of life, development, etc.

Services/Facilities

  • Attractions
  • Better and more attractive community resources and amenities: library, public spaces, outdoor recreation opportunities
  • Larger selection of recreation, restaurants, and stores
  • More access to healthcare
  • More investment in community resources such as libraries and parks
  • More options for hotels/dining (3 responses)
  • Public transportation

Youth

  • More families 25-55
  • More youth, nightlife, and housing
  • Nothing to attract/keep younger citizens