“There is continued and renewed interest in downtown. It's not wanting for interest. Downtown events help out tremendously and have been a great part of the city’s success.”
Reno Deaton
President, Greer Economic Development
QuikTrip, a Tulsa, Okla., based company, has zeroed in on the Upstate in building a dozen gas/convenience stores. This QuikTrip at Wade Hampton Blvd. and Buncombe Road is scheduled to open in mid-February.
GreerToday.com: QuikTrip is a new fuel/convenience player in Greer. How do you see that developing?
Deaton: QuikTrip is an awfully significant project for us. This group is very strategically marketed and they invest in their strategies. It speaks volumes where the Wade Hampton corridor is going. I think their decision is reinforcing the success in that area.
GreerToday.com: Spinx is responding to QuikTrip's entry into the market by renovating or rebuilding its stores. That's also good for Greer.
Deaton: That group (Spinx) has invested and reinvested into this market for a long time. It's new location on Hwy. 101 may fashion things to come.
GreerToday.com: Is Hwy. 101 rich for new development?
Deaton: “CPW's decision to extend infrastructure apparently may lead to early stages of development. The Hwy. 101 corridor is an opportunity for growth. The infrastructure plus economy plus growth equals opportunities.
GreerToday.com: GSP's land-use study, due late this year, apparently is the precursor of development near the airport.
Deaton: We're excited about the possibilities that study may bring to Greer. It is more likely to be industrial development.
GreerToday.com: Why hasn't BB&T made public its adding 140 jobs for a retail loan processing call center housed on its second and third floors of its Memorial Drive Extension office?
Deaton: We’ve not had any discussion with BB&T with them wanting to announce their additional investment in our community. We would like to give them an official welcome to Greer.
GreerToday.com: MD360 continues Greenville Hospital System's medical growth in the Riverside area. What else do you see developing in that part of Greer?
Deaton: That is part of the very fast growing District Six. I still think there's an opportunity for residential growth. A childcare facility (behind Spinx), and professional shops on Brushy Creek have been established. There is still green space available and growth opportunities.
GreerToday.com: The Carolinas Cancer Center, adjacent to its office at the Greer Memorial Hospital campus, is expanding.
Deaton: The Greenville Hospital System has never veered from its plan for growing the Greer Memorial Campus.
GreerToday.com: Downtown Greer is filling in the holes of vacant buildings. Ember and The Stomping Ground restaurants, Grapevine's new expanded 50-plus booth consignment shop is providing additional traffic. How do you market downtown?
Deaton: There is continued and renewed interest in downtown. It's not wanting for interest. Downtown events help out tremendously and have been a great part of the city's success. The new restaurants complement the restaurants that made the choice to come downtown. You can say, “Wild Ace, BIN112, Rivera's and people know you are talking about Greer downtown restaurants. There are a dozen restaurants to enjoy and each has its own niche and they all work together. You can go anywhere and Greer's historic downtown is widely known. Greer Station is being progressively developed. There are still opportunities for us to add new businesses downtown.
GreerToday.com: What is the best-case scenario for the vacant State Auto building?
Deaton: The building has limited usage because of its location and codes. It's a unique opportunity. That is a large office space that sits on three acres (of prime) property. We must work hard to let people know what we have and provide some vision.
GreerToday.com: Any vision how Victor Mill can be marketed?
Deaton: We’re talking about mixed use with future annexation into the city limits. The core property has 20-plus acres. It could present a unique opportunity. Spartanburg County will decide what can be built there and we'll learn from them what may happen. I don't think there's been any discussion about what may go there because I believe Spartanburg County is still forming its group.
GreerToday.com: What is your overview for Greer in 2012.
Deaton: We've got an opportunity to follow up and work with what we've done in prior years. Signs point to positive growth with more per capita income and residential and commercial growth. We continue to be a business-friendly community. Our businesses do a good job supporting other existing businesses and welcoming new ones to the community. We're here to make sure we hear their needs and respond to their concerns.