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| Leadership
and Community |
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Leadership
is another major component of Simpsonville's continued success.
After World War II, local leaders recognized that Simpsonville
had to have public utilities such as water in order to grow
so they brought in water lines and other services from Greenville.
This started Simpsonville's transportation over the next 30
years from a cotton mill and agricultural economy to the diverse
suburban economy of today.
Current leaders realize that managing growth is an on-going
challenge. Positive steps must be taken to preserve Simpsonville's
competitive edge and quality of life as the information age
again transforms economic underpinnings. Four years ago Simpsonville
City Council, together with extensive citizen participation
commissioned a comprehensive study resulting in a plan entitled
"Strategies for the Future."This plan was adopted as the
blueprint for Simpsonville's success in the future and implementation
of Strategies for the Future is already well underway. Goals
include a downtown "village center"reminiscent of a turn-of-the
century town, less reliance on automobiles in the town center
area, more pedestrian enhancements, expanded parks and recreation
facilities, thriving neighborhoods, focused commercial growth,
good building designs and architecture, landscaped public
areas, community focal points, refined transportation network,
and nurturing positive growth. An example of a community focal
point is the new granite Veterans Monument located on S. E.
Main Street at Fernwood Drive.
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As
a tribute to our war heros, the Veterans Monument is
located on S.E. Main Street.
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Several
small businesses have recently been attracted to downtown Simpsonville
as a result of a major renovation to the Town Square area that
is part of the Strategies for the Future plan. One example is
the Calico Cat toy store owned by George Campbell. Campbell
noted that Simpsonville has experienced a lot of change but
still has that small town feel. That is what he was looking
for in selecting, a location for his business. Other new businesses
to downtown include a coffee bar/ spa/hair salon, a custom and
reproduction furniture store, restaurants, professional offices
and an art studio. With new landscaping, sidewalks, lighting,
and benches, more and more businesses will be locating downtown
in the "village center."The idea is to retain and improve that
which is unique to Simpsonville and not to become like so many
other "generic"suburban communities that have just sprung up
one subdivision, one strip center, and one fast food restaurant
after another.
Simpsonville benefits from diverse employment and business opportunities
combined with small town ambience and unique character yet enjoys
access to all the amenities associated with a larger metropolitan
area like Greenville. Some of the area wide attractions include
the Greenville Braves Class AA baseball team, the Peace Center
for the Performing Arts, the Bi-Lo Center, and the Andrew Wyeth/Weyth
collection of the Greenville Museum of Art. Simpsonville leaders
are now actively engaged in making sure that this beneficial
mix remains in balance. |
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