About

Historical and Demographic Context

Located in western South Carolina on the Savannah River, Aiken County is part of the Augusta-Aiken, GA-SC MSA (commonly referred to as the Central Savannah River Area or CSRA). The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Aiken County’s 2004 population to be 148,960. The number of residents in the County increased by 17.8 percent between 1990 and 2000 compared to a State increase of 15.1 percent.

From the mid-1850’s to the early 1990’s, numerous textile plants and industries involved in the process of producing fabric located in the Horse Creek Valley region (locally referred to as “Midland Valley”). Most of these plants created small villages with modest homes, schools, and churches. One such plant was Seminole Mill, which is located on the eastern side of Highway 126 in Clearwater. The plant operated from the late 1920’s until the early 1990’s, producing spun rayon fabric that was transported next door to Clearwater Finishing Mill for dyeing and finishing. Seminole Mill burned on February 17, 1996, and the site currently consists of piles of metal beams, bricks, ash, concrete, and asbestos-containing materials (See Pictures).

Today, Clearwater’s population is approximately 4,199 (2000 Census Data Estimates) with a 20 percent minority rate. The recent decline in the regional textile industry has significantly impacted the community. Most of the mills in this area have closed, leaving a large elderly lower-income population residing in modest older homes. More than 38 percent of the population in Clearwater is over the age of 50.

In the census tract where the Seminole Mill is located, 19.2 percent of individuals have incomes below the Federal poverty level compared to 14.1 percent in the State overall (2000 Census). The poverty rate for individuals over age 65 is 18.8 percent (13.9 percent for South Carolina). The Census Bureau describes 10 percent of the families as being “severely poor”, with incomes half or below the Federal Poverty Level.

Reuse Options

The ultimate goal of the Brownfields Assessment Grant is to return the Seminole Mill site to productive use and to expand the effort to other mill communities in The Midland Valley. The Seminole Mill site has been a source of concern to the community since it burned in 1996, initially as an eyesore and increasingly because of possible exposure to environmental hazards that are not being addressed. Due to the cost of homes in the area, residents tend to be elderly who have lived in the area all their lives and young families who are purchasing their first homes. Both the elderly and young children are at particular risk for environmental hazards. A nearby school and church add to concerns about potential hazards on the site.

Several redevelopment options have been identified for the Seminole Mill site. One of the more attractive is elderly housing or an assisted living facility that would allow some of the areas many elderly residents to stay in the community. Another is for general affordable housing that would replace some old, deteriorating properties and permit young families to stay or move in to the area, thus retaining the community’s historic nature. Some would prefer to develop a park or save the site as greenspace. The proximity to Clearwater Pond makes the site particularly attractive for these options.

Project Activities

Aiken County will assess contamination and risk, establish a baseline for monitoring health effects, and keep residents fully informed and involved in the processes of assessment, cleanup, and reuse of a potentially attractive, clean, and productive property in their community. Meaningful community involvement through existing community-based organizations will increase awareness about redevelopment, provide real opportunities for sharing of ideas and strengthen community involvement.

The local community brought attention to the problem of brownfields and Aiken County has been responsive to their concerns by partnering with them to solve the problems. The County began this effort to address brownfields, and specifically to focus on abandoned textile mills. In addition to the Seminole Mill property there are a number of other textile-related properties in Midland Valley that will be considered for assessment over the course of the Brownfields Assessment Grant. The County plans to develop an inventory of potential brownfield sites as a part of this project.

Although the majority of efforts will be concentrated toward the assessment and redevelopment planning of the Seminole Mill property, the County’s objective will be to identify, assess, and conduct redevelopment planning for as many priority brownfield sites as allotted funding will allow.

The first objective will be to raise community awareness, and involve the community in the decision-making process regarding assessment activities and redevelopment plans for the Seminole Mill property. Aiken County has worked with and developed partnerships with several community-based and faith-based organizations while developing a strategic plan to provide long-term community and economic development. The County will continue to work with these organizations during the implementation of the brownfields project to ensure future, long-term involvement of community residents.

Regarding assessment activity, the first priority will be to complete a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) (completed in April 2005) and a Phase II ESA, as needed, of the Seminole Mill property to determine the extent of contamination, so it can negotiate with the property owner to acquire the site. The County plans to include remediation costs into the property transfer agreement. Additional high priority properties identified by the community will be assessed if funding is available.

Project Status
Significant project has been made since the beginning of the project.
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Pictures
View pictures of the targeted sites and project activities.
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Questions?
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