Kershaw County Commercial & Industrial Development Survey Results
A balanced approach to growth that enhances quality of life while preserving community character
Commercial Needs Assessment
Retail Options
Limited shopping variety emerged as the most significant weakness (57.64% weakness rating). Residents specifically desire high-quality grocery stores (particularly Publix, Kroger, Aldi) and more diverse retail beyond basic necessities.
Dining Options
Strong preference for sit-down restaurants over fast food, with explicit frustration about the overabundance of fast food establishments. Residents request moderately-priced family restaurants like Outback and Olive Garden.
Entertainment & Recreation
Significant need for family-oriented entertainment venues, with specific requests for bowling alleys, skating rinks, and movie theaters. Current lack forces families to leave the county for recreation.
Economic Development Challenges

Commercial Property Utilization
Concerns about vacant properties
Employment Opportunities
Limited high-paying jobs
Columbia Dependency
Economic leakage to Columbia
Kershaw County faces significant economic challenges with 44.94% of residents rating job opportunities as a weakness. The county struggles with being a "bedroom community" for Columbia, resulting in economic leakage as residents leave daily for shopping, dining, and employment. This creates a cycle where money leaves the county rather than circulating locally, reducing community engagement and limiting local economic growth.
Growth Management & Community Character

Infrastructure Concerns
Roads and utilities not keeping pace with development

Growth Rate Concerns
Development outpacing infrastructure

Community Character
Tensions between development and preservation

Tax Implications
Worries about rising taxes with growth
Residents expressed significant concerns about balancing growth with preservation of community character. With 16 mentions of infrastructure inadequacy and 17 mentions of rapid growth concerns, there's a clear desire to "stop all growth and catch up." Downtown character is viewed as a weakness (44.94% weakness rating), with 10 mentions of downtown revitalization needs alongside 5 mentions of maintaining rural character.
Strategic Retail Recruitment Initiative
Create Retail Recruitment Task Force
Form team with county staff, local business leaders, and community representatives
Commission Market Analysis
Identify viable retail categories and specific chains matching community demographics
Develop Incentive Package
Create incentives for priority businesses (quality grocery stores, sit-down restaurants, family entertainment)
Designate Development Sites
Identify specific development-ready locations for targeted retail categories
A targeted retail recruitment strategy would address the most significant commercial gaps identified by residents. By streamlining the permitting process and offering strategic incentives, Kershaw County can reduce economic leakage to Columbia, increase the local tax base, and enhance quality of life for residents.
Commercial Revitalization Program
Design Guidelines
Develop standards that enhance commercial character while allowing for modern commercial needs
Façade Improvement Grants
Create funding program for existing businesses to upgrade storefronts
Vacant Building Activation
Implement program with temporary uses, pop-up shops, and incubator spaces
Pedestrian Infrastructure
Install wider sidewalks, improved lighting, and public seating
A comprehensive commercial revitalization program for community centers would address the 44.94% weakness rating for commercial character. By improving aesthetics, increasing utilization of existing commercial spaces, and enhancing community identity, Kershaw County can create vibrant commercial areas that serve as community gathering places.
Infrastructure-First Development Policy
Impact Fee Structure
Create commercial development fees to fund infrastructure improvements
Transportation Plan
Develop improvement plan coordinated with commercial development zones
Concurrency Requirements
Ensure adequate infrastructure before development approval
Prioritize Infill
Focus on areas with existing infrastructure capacity
With 16 mentions of infrastructure inadequacy in resident comments, establishing policies that ensure infrastructure capacity precedes or coincides with commercial development is critical. This approach would create better alignment between growth and infrastructure capacity, reduce traffic congestion and utility stress, and create a more sustainable development pattern.
Business Diversity & Employment Enhancement
44.94%
Employment Weakness
Percentage of residents rating job opportunities as a weakness
12+
Job Comments
Number of comments mentioning need for better employment options
5
Industrial Mentions
Specific comments about need for industrial development
Developing policies and programs to diversify the local economy and increase employment opportunities is essential for reducing commuting to Columbia. By creating targeted incentives for employers in underrepresented sectors, establishing small business support programs, and developing workforce training partnerships, Kershaw County can create higher-wage local employment options and a more diverse, resilient local economy.