images sumter, sc: 2012
DESCRIPTION
The eighth-largest city in South Carolina, Sumter enjoys a thriving downtown core, thanks to recent revitalization efforts. The city’s population hovers around 40,000, while surrounding Sumter County’s population is about 104,000. It’s a hospitable community with lots of friendly people, and it often attracts retirees looking for a comfortable climate year-round and a convenient location.TRANSCRIPT
makes centsPenny for Progress program gets results
atten-HutFamed Third Army arrives
sponsored by tHe Greater sumter cHamber of commerce and tHe sumter economic development board
2012 | imaGessumterco.com
sumter, soutH carolina
®
imAgessumTerco.com 3
imAgessumTerco.com 3
on tHe cover Patton HallPhoto by Antony Boshier
departments
8 almanac
29 biz briefs
30 chamber report
31 economic profile
33 image Gallery
37 local flavor
38 arts & culture
40 Health & Wellness
42 education
44 sports & recreation
47 community profile
48 through the lens
2012 edition | volume 2
sumter, soutH carolina
®
contents
Features
12 atten-Hut Famed Third Army arrives
16 play ballAmerican Legion Baseball has been a Sumter staple for years
20 american spirit, Global edGeSumter County combines right ingredients for positive growth
24 makes centsPenny for Progress program gets results
26 all for oneSchool district moves forward
16
26All or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.
pleaserecyclethismagazine
Visit us at www.sumtercountysc.org or call the County Administration at (803) 436-2102.
Sumter County Government
sumter, south Carolina
County Government …Where government for the people is depicted in sumter’s southern charm and hospitality, and sumter’s diverse opportunities through tourism. sumter also has various recreational activities and cultural venues for youth, young adults and mature adults. sumter is a short drive off interstate 95 at exit 135. Come visit, tour and make Sumter your home.
What’sonlineimagessumterco.com
makes centsPenny for Progress program gets results
atten-HutFamed Third Army arrives
sponsored by tHe Greater sumter cHamber of commerce and tHe sumter economic development board
2012 | imaGessumterco.com
sumter, soutH carolina
®
Visually explore Sumter in our online photo and video galleries
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Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more
liVing hereLearn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health care providers
Whether you are in Sumter
for a visit, a tour or a lifetime,
www.sumterchamber.com
is your resource for information.
32 E. Calhoun St. Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-1231 (803) 775-0915
[email protected] www.sumterchamber.com
www.WeSellSumter.com
Serving Sumter, Shaw and Surrounding Areas
Since 1954
©2011 Prudential Financial Inc. and its related entities. Prudential Real Estate Brokerage services are offered through the independently owned and operated franchisees of Prudential Real Estate Inc., Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the rock symbol are registered service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, used under license. Equal Housing Opportunity.
1081 Alice Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 775-1201
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play ball
SToRY BY cary estes
the joyful cry of “Play ball!” has resonated throughout Sumter every summer since 1929. That was the year that the American Legion Baseball program fielded its first team in
Sumter, sponsored by Post 15. More than eight decades later, P-15 continues to put together a team every year, making it the second-oldest continuous American Legion Baseball program in the nation.
“It’s a big thing in the city of Sumter,” says Jimmy Hodge, the P-15 Athletic Officer and chairman of the baseball committee that oversees the program. “It’s something the community really gets involved in.”
American Legion Baseball is comprised of amateur players, mainly high school students, ages 13 to 19. There are approximately 5,000 teams throughout the
nation. Regular-season games are held from around Memorial Day weekend through early July. That is followed by more than a month of playoff games and regional and national tournaments.
Hodge says the program is so popular in Sumter that P-15 fields two 18-player teams. “We have a junior team for the younger kids, because we have so many kids come out for the program,” Hodge says. “It’s like having a minor-league team for the varsity. It’s a good proving ground, and a way to get more kids involved in American Legion Baseball every summer.”
tournamentsSumter usually plays host to at least one American
Legion tournament every year. The city has been a
american leGion baseball Has been a sumter staple for more tHan 80 years
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the sumter p-15 baseball team prays before a game at riley park.
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Welcome to SumterAn inTroducTion To The AreA’s PeoPle, PlAces And evenTs
Fired UpThe University of South Carolina Sumter's Fire Ants are thriving. The school
features men's baseball, soccer and basketball, as well as women's softball,
soccer and basketball.
All teams compete in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic
Association, which includes schools in the Carolinas, Virginia and
West Virginia.
Locals can enjoy games throughout the year, with home baseball and
softball games taking place at Riley Park and Palmetto Park, respectively,
and basketball and soccer games held on the school's campus.
For additional information, check out www.uscsumter.edu/fireants.
Promoting Wellness, Having Fun
A YMCA was first formed in Sumter in
1890, and the organization's first building in
the area was constructed in 1911. Today, the
Sumter YMCA is offering more than ever,
thanks to a dedicated group of members,
employees, volunteers and supporters.
Members can enjoy a full-service fitness
center, as well as an array of group fitness
classes, including Zumba, indoor cycling,
boot camps, yoga, water aerobics and more.
Childcare is available, as well as athletic
programs and leagues open to kids and
adults of all ages.
To learn more about the Sumter YMCA,
go to www.ymcasumter.org. Saluting the TroopsSumter has been home to the Shaw Air Force Base since
1941. The base houses the Air Force’s largest combat F-16
wing – the 20th Fighter Wing – whose mission is to provide,
project and sustain combat-ready air forces.
The base also includes Headquarters 9th Air Force and
U.S. Air Forces Central, who works to project decisive air
and space power for U.S. Central Command and America.
To salute the men and women stationed at the base, the
city of Sumter organizes the Sumter-Shaw Street Fest. The
event, considered the largest free party in the region, includes
musical performances, games, food and more.
Learn more about Shaw Air Force Base at www.shaw.af.mil.
Almanac
PHoTo CoURTeSY oF THe SUMTeR DeVeLoPMeNT BoARD
8 sumTer
Park ItLocated in the High Hills of Santee, Poinsett State Park
offers beautiful views, fishing, hunting, equestrian events
and mountain biking. Hiking is also a frequented pastime
by those who visit the area, as the park's trail system
connects to the Palmetto Trail.
Poinsett State Park, which opened in 1936, is known
for its interesting botanical aspects; visitors can see a
variety of unusual combinations, such as mountain laurel
adorned with Spanish moss.
The park was named after South Carolina native Joel
Roberts Poinsett, an amateur botanist and the first U.S.
ambassador to Mexico. It was Poinsett who brought
the poinsettia plant to the U.S.
Play on at Patriot ParkLocated off Patriot Parkway on General Drive,
Patriot Park Sportsplex opened in 2008 and was
funded by the community’s Penny for Progress tax
initiative. The spacious athletic amenity features
state-of-the-art soccer and softball fields that are
ready for tournament play.
Along with Palmetto and Dillon parks, it has helped
to establish Sumter as one of the most important
venues in the region for youth sports tournaments.
For more information, contact the Sumter County
Recreation & Parks Department at (803) 436-2248.
Above ParHome to a variety of courses open throughout the
year, Sumter is an ideal place for golf enthusiasts. In
total, there are four courses in Sumter County, and
more than 20 others within an hour's drive.
The area includes notable courses such as Beech
Creek Golf Club and Sunset Country Club, both of which
are regarded as challenging. Another local favorite is
Crystal Lake Golf Course, an 18-hole municipal course
that can hold its own next to almost any private facility.
The only island green in the area can be found at
The Links at Lakewood, which was awarded 3.5 stars
by Golf Digest.
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10 GardensWhere Inspiration Grows
Introducing the Livability.com Top 10 Lists New lists every month | Not your average lists | Not your average website
Sumtermade the list.10 Gardens to InspireSee more Top 10 lists at Livability.com.
JAPANESE GARDENS AT LAKE SACAJAWEA
Longview, WA
WATER GARDENFort Worth, TX
TYLER MUNICIPAL ROSE GARDENTyler, TX
SWAN LAKE IRIS GARDENSSumter, SC
CHEYENNE BOTANIC GARDENSCheyenne, WY
CINNAMON CREEK TROPICAL BUTTERFLY GARDEN
Boerne, TX
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-SANTA CRUZ ARBORETUM
Santa Cruz, CA
WICHITA GARDENS-BOTANICAWichita, KS
DANIEL STOWE BOTANICAL GARDENGastonia, NC
CAPE FEAR BOTANICAL GARDENFayetteville, NC
imAgessumTerco.com 11
City
City
City City
STATE
River
Main City Name312
3121
COUNTY NAMEO TY13
To City
301
401
521
763
378
SUMTER
L. Marion
Oakland
Rimini
Pocalla Springs
Rembert
Pinewood
Mayesville
Sumter
20
95
Columbia
S o u t h C a r o l i n aState CapitalsCounty SeatCities 500,000+Cities 100,000-499,999Cities 50,000-99,999Cities 10,000-49,999
Cities 0-9,999
Interstate HighwaysU.S. HighwaysState Roads
Major RiversIntermediate RiversLakes
State BoundariesCounty Boundaries
0
0
50 Miles
50 KM
25 Miles
25 KM
10 Miles
10 KM
Sumter
population (2010 estimate)Sumter: 40,524
Sumter County: 107,456
locationSumter is located in the Midlands region
of South Carolina, approximately 45
miles east of Columbia, the state capital.
beGinninGsThe city of Sumter was incorporated
in 1845, starting out as an agricultural
community. The opening of Shaw Air
Force Base in 1941 gave the area an
economic boost and growth spurt.
for more information
Greater Sumter
Chamber of Commerce
32 e. Calhoun St.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-1231
www.sumterchamber.com
sumterataglance
FastFactsn Pro basketball player ray Allen attended high school in sumter county, where he led hillcrest high school to a state championship.
n citadel cadet george edward “Tuck” haynsworth, who fired the first shot of the civil War, was born, raised and is buried in sumter.
n The iris Festival, held every may at swan lake iris gardens, is a multiple winner of the Top 20 events in the southeast award, and is south carolina’s oldest continuing festival.
n The electric refrigerator was invented by sumter native charles T. mason, Jr.
n sumter is named for general Thomas sumter, the “Fighting gamecock” of the American revolution and one of the models for mel gibson’s character in the 2000 film The Patriot.
n sumter was the first city in the u.s. to adopt the council-manager form of government, now used as the nation’s standard.
n sumter is home to country music star lee Brice.
Make a Racket With a Racquet
Palmetto Tennis Center is
one of the largest public tennis
centers in all of South Carolina.
The complex includes 24 courts,
18 of which are lit for night play.
Six of the courts feature all-
weather, deco-turf surfaces. There
are three on-site tennis pros who
offer lessons and group clinics.
In addition, the facility has
locker rooms with showers, two
ball machines, a stringing service
and pro shop. The center is
the site of many tournaments,
including pro events. Best of all,
general use of the courts is free.
imAgessumTerco.com 11
the famed Third Army has made its way to Sumter.
One of the world’s renowned fighting forces
completed its relocation Sept. 15 from Fort McPherson in Atlanta to Sumter and Shaw Air Force Base. The Third Army’s historic transition to Sumter, which included the relocation of 1,000 soldiers, 200 civilians and contractors and their families, was recommended by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005.
The multimillion dollar relocation was achieved much with the same precision that defines a military operation, according to Col. Robert G. Young, Third Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Relocation.
relocation like a military operation
“The Army moves to locations all the time and sets up operations. So we approached it as a military operation,” Young says. “We did it with military planning and procedures. So, consequently, it was orderly as you might expect. It’s not the same as moving into Afghanistan or Iraq, but it was done in a deliberate and orderly fashion.”
The Third Army within U.S. Army Forces Central Command serves as the Army’s longest continuously deployed warfighting headquarters, operating from distinct locations that include Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. More than 31,000 forces are assigned or attached to the Third Army worldwide, providing aide
to its missions in support of the nation’s defense.
The Third Army’s new Main Command Post, led by Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, is located at Patton Hall at Shaw. The 320,000-square-foot building was constructed at a cost of more than $100 million to support the relocation, providing logistics and support for Third Army ground troops in theater. The unit celebrated an official welcoming to Shaw in June 2011, which included an uncasing ceremony at Patton Hall, named for the legendary World War II-era Gen. George S. Patton.
fanfare from sumter community
The relocation to Sumter was greeted in the community with
relocation from atlanta to sHaW air force base Hailed
Third Army Arrives
SToRY BY m.v. Greene PHoToGRAPHY BY antony bosHier
atten-Hut:
12 sumTer
patton Hall, the location of the third army’s new main command post
12 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 13
What’sonline
For more about the industries that impact
Sumter’s economy, visit imagessumterco.com.
14 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 15
great fanfare as the South Carolina town of more than 40,000 residents is expected to receive an immediate economic impact. The Third Army staff in Sumter includes a large number of officers above the rank of major, including at least two generals and more than 50 colonels, and noncommissioned officers above the rank of master sergeant.
As part of the relocation effort, Sumter officials traveled to the Fort McPherson garrison in March 2010 where they hosted a Sumter Strategic Relocation Expo, providing information to Third Army personnel and their families to help educate them about the community and its assets. The event showcased Sumter resources, including health care, senior services, recreation and public safety.
In his remarks at the welcoming, Brooks says the Third Army would work closely with the local community as a neighbor. Young noted that many Third Army personnel already were familiar with the region through training at nearby Fort Jackson, about 40 miles to the west in the area of the capital of Columbia.
local leadership praised“Sumter is a very pro-military,
patriotic community. There are wholesome activities with local leadership with vision and determination to make it even better,” Young says.
A 32-year veteran of the Army, Young added that the relocation means the Sumter area can expect a long partnership with the Third Army going forward.
“It represents a commitment by the Department of Defense to Shaw and the surrounding area in its longevity,” he says.
clockwise from top left: Patton hall; A Patton tank on display; A World War ii Army-era uniform worn by capt. Thomas J. Quirk iii of the Third Army
14 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 15
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the sumter p-15 baseball team prays before a game at riley park.
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play ball
SToRY BY cary estes
the joyful cry of “Play ball!” has resonated throughout Sumter every summer since 1929. That was the year that the American Legion Baseball program fielded its first team in
Sumter, sponsored by Post 15. More than eight decades later, P-15 continues to put together a team every year, making it the second-oldest continuous American Legion Baseball program in the nation.
“It’s a big thing in the city of Sumter,” says Jimmy Hodge, the P-15 Athletic Officer and chairman of the baseball committee that oversees the program. “It’s something the community really gets involved in.”
American Legion Baseball is comprised of amateur players, mainly high school students, ages 13 to 19. There are approximately 5,000 teams throughout the
nation. Regular-season games are held from around Memorial Day weekend through early July. That is followed by more than a month of playoff games and regional and national tournaments.
Hodge says the program is so popular in Sumter that P-15 fields two 18-player teams. “We have a junior team for the younger kids, because we have so many kids come out for the program,” Hodge says. “It’s like having a minor-league team for the varsity. It’s a good proving ground, and a way to get more kids involved in American Legion Baseball every summer.”
tournamentsSumter usually plays host to at least one American
Legion tournament every year. The city has been a
american leGion baseball Has been a sumter staple for more tHan 80 years
16 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 17
goyankees!Bobby Richardson,
a Sumter native and supporter of American
Legion Baseball, played for the New York Yankees
from 1955-1966.
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regular site for the annual Southeast Regional Tournament, which features state champions from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Puerto Rico.
Tournament organizers have estimated that more than 1,000 people arrive in Sumter for the Southeast Regional. Approximately 350 motel room nights are required, with a total financial impact to the community of more than $500,000 in retail sales.
“Our local merchants gain from it, and it also benefits us in terms of recognition,” Hodge says. “It’s good for the image of the city.”
riley parkGames in Sumter are played at historic Riley Park,
a quaint 2,000-seat facility that was built in 1934 and was once the home park of the minor-league Sumter Braves. A recent renovation of the stadium included the installation of oversized fans that Hodge says keeps spectators comfortable throughout the warm summer evenings.
“It’s like a ballpark with air conditioners,” Hodge says. “A lot of nights it’s cool enough under those fans for people to put on a jacket. The city does a tremendous job keeping up the park for us. They keep making it better and better, not only for the players but for the fans.”
bobby richardsonOne of the regular fans in attendance is Bobby
Richardson, a Sumter native who played for the New York Yankees from 1955 through 1966.
“Bobby is a big supporter of American Legion Baseball,” Hodge says. “He helps in a lot of ways. He’s always there to offer good advice. And if there’s anybody who’s qualified to give a player or the coaching staff some good advice, it’s Bobby. He has nothing but positive things to say about this program.”
top left and right: Bobby richardson memorabilia bottom: A game at riley ParkP
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sumter County has perfected its recipe for successful economic growth, with the correct
measurements of a skilled workforce, reliable infrastructure, transportation arteries, low costs, available property and pro-active leadership. The result? The largest project in Sumter County history and a steady, positive recovery in existing industry job numbers.
The big news for Sumter County is the October 2011 announcement that Continental Tire would bring 1,600 jobs and a $500 million investment to the community.
“Over the lifespan of the agreement inked between the
company and the community, Continental Tire will help the community in so many ways, from payroll to increased revenue for local governments and schools,” says Jay Schwedler, president and CEO of the Sumter Development Board. “The company plans to be producing tires here in Sumter by the middle of 2013. At more than $500 million, this is the largest capital investment Sumter County has ever seen, and roughly 10 times the size of the previous largest project. With more than 1,600 guaranteed jobs coming, Continental Tire will quickly become a major player and contributor to the entire region.”
sumter county combines tHe riGHt inGredients for positive GroWtH
American Spirit,
SToRY BY betsy Williams | PHoToGRAPHY BY antony bosHier
Global edGe
Kaydon employees inspect and assemble bearings at its sumter facility.
20 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 21
While winning the Continental Tire project in a very competitive national search is big news, it isn’t the only project that’s been cooking in Sumter County.
existing industries in Growth mode
“We took some losses in the early 2000s, mostly from companies deciding to migrate toward lower labor costs,” Schwedler says, noting that since then, empty buildings
have sold to new and existing industries. “The good news is we’ve stabilized and have begun to reverse those trends. Over the past year our existing industries have created more than 450 new jobs, and when you combine those with the new announcements and expansions, we had a net gain of about 650 jobs. That’s not only progress, it’s tremendous progress for a community that lost jobs year in and year out for nearly a decade.”
New and expanding companies are breathing new life into vacant buildings, with projects including Au’Some Candies, which will begin production in 2012 with 120 new jobs, and Sykes Corporation, which started as a 150-job announcement in 2009 and is now using the Sumter call center as their model facility with 950 employees. Then there’s Kaydon, which has ramped up its Sumter workforce to about 400 employees, investing more than $40 million in
Kaydon, a bearing manufacturer, has invested more than $8 million in a series of expansions in sumter.
22 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 23
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505 S. Wise Dr. Sumter, SC 29150
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a series of expansions.“The area is very supportive
of its industrial partners, and the leadership provides tremendous help at the local and state levels, helping us to be successful,” says Al Hubbard, plant manager at Kaydon Plant 12 and a Sumter native. “The education systems are willing to do what it takes to develop the potential workforce, and you’ve got the people in the area who are very committed to doing a good job.”
sumter’s can-do attitudeSchwedler credits the success to
the community’s “American Spirit, Global Edge” can-do approach to business. “We have a great community that has proven time and again that we are among the best at taking care of our businesses. When you couple that with the strength of our military assets in the region, and specifically with regard to our partners at Shaw Air Force Base, we are an attractive place to call home.”
22 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 23
SToRY BY kevin litWinPHoToGRAPHY BY antony bosHier
penny for your thoughts? Sumter County officials are making pennies stretch a long way thanks to a Penny for Progress program.
The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce first brought the idea for the program to the County Council, and in 2008 voters approved a temporary one-cent tax increase that will be removed in May 2016 or when $75 million is collected, whichever comes first. The $75 million is going toward 16 major improvement projects occurring throughout the community, including construction of a rural fire station, traffic intersection improvements and purchasing critical land that borders Shaw Air Force Base.
The formal name of the initiative is the Sumter County Capital Projects Sales Tax, but it mostly goes by the nickname of Penny for Progress. The 16 projects are being overseen by the Sumter County Administrator and the County Council, and is managed by a team of experienced project coordinators.
The Chamber of Commerce remains a large supporter of the program and raised money to hire Penny for Progress campaign manager Chris Caison.
The Patriot Park Athletic Complex and Activities Center was among the first projects to be completed and has already proven to be a benefit to Sumter County.
“Patriot Park’s baseball, softball, soccer and football fields can host regional tournaments that will draw visitors from throughout the Southeast,” says Caison. “Those visitors will spend money in our community at hotels, restaurants, stores and gas stations to bolster our economy.”
civic prideCaison says more than 3,500 young people in
Sumter County now access Patriot Park for sports, plus the complex also has walking paths and green space.
“Meanwhile, another completed project is vast improvements to the Sumter County Civic Center, formerly known as the Exhibition Center,” he says. “Several beautification upgrades have occurred, which is good news around here. Those improvements have been needed for many years.”
Specific upgrades to the Civic Center included replacing the HVAC system, improving the parking lot and fencing, renovating restrooms, installing new carpet in conference rooms and improving the sound system.
“It is the only facility in the county large enough to hold graduations and other big events,” Caison says. “Now it is a showpiece of the community once again.”
all fired upBesides Patriot Park and the Civic Center, another
key Penny for Progress project is the construction of a rural fire station to serve residents in Cherryvale, Dabbs, Wedgefield, Dalzell, Bethel, Pinewood, Rembert, Concord, Horatio, Oswego, Graham, Pleasant Grove, Mayesville, DuBose, Byrd and 521 South.
In addition, another project will feature sidewalks constructed to connect schools and neighborhoods, plus multiple improvements will be made to the intersection of Lafayette Drive, North Main Street and Highway 378 – the single most congested intersection in all of Sumter.
Also, a new $20 million judicial center will allow Sumter County to handle a per capita docket on par with Columbia and Greenville, while road infrastructure improvements at Airport Industrial Park will allow the city and county to better compete for industrial and economic development prospects.
“Penny for Progress is a big project but well worth it,” Caison says. “There are many positives that will result from this effort.”
penny for proGress proGram Gets positive results
makes centsIt Just
24 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 25
What’sonlineFor more information about the Sumter County Penny for Progress program, visit the website at www.pennyforprogress.com.
Patriot Park (top) and the new fire station in Wedgefield (bottom) are two of the projects made possible by the Penny for Progress program.
24 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 25
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it took 25 years and the South Carolina Legislature to accomplish it, but two former Sumter County public school districts are now one.
Sumter School District was officially established in July 2011 following the consolidation of the former Sumter School District Two and Sumter School District 17. A total of 17,000 students make up the new unified district.
“Things are going well so far, but like any other merger, there are some obstacles and issues that need to be worked out,” says Randolph Bynum, Sumter School District superintendent. “But I have visited every school and am impressed with the quality of teachers and learning that is occurring, and we’ll be taking the best teaching practices and making them available throughout the district.”
no school falls behindBynum says the consolidation ensures that all schools
in Sumter County get the same basic funding, with no school falling behind due to revenue collection issues.
“We are taking the strengths in resources and human capital from the two districts and combining them positively into one,” he says. “The result will be improved student achievement and raising the county’s overall quality of life, which could result in new industries taking a look at Sumter for future business ventures. In fact, one of my goals is to have many of our graduates eventually work for international companies, with some of those companies hopefully based in Sumter some day.”
eight years a soldierBynum has been an academic advocate for decades,
with 26 years of education experience that included serving as associate superintendent for high schools
in Atlanta for three years prior to the Sumter County appointment. He also spent eight years in the United States Army, which can be advantageous in this community that is home to Shaw Air Force Base, which includes the Third Army, 9th Air Force and USCENTAF.
Bynum, who signed a three-year contract to be district superintendent, also arrived with a strong reputation for turning around and improving student achievement scores in every school and district where he worked in the past.
“We are all stakeholders in our children’s future, so I want to develop an effective community relations initiative for Sumter School District that provides current, timely internal and external communication through district publications and communication venues,” he says. “We need to keep the public updated and seek their feedback on how we can get better.”
increasing moraleBynum says he also wants to create and
coordinate programs to increase employee and student morale, and insists that principals and assistant principals must conduct four to six classroom visits per month. He also wants to establish a not-for-profit Sumter Education Foundation to ensure that all students are prepared to live, work and compete in tomorrow’s challenging workplace.
“All donations to the Foundation would go directly back into the schools,” he says. “They would offer the greatest amount of assistance to the teachers, in order to provide better instruction for the students. That’s what it’s all about.”
scHool district moves forWard in first year of consolidation
All for One
SToRY BY kevin litWinPHoToGRAPHY BY antony bosHier
clockwise from top: A teacher assists students with their work at Alice drive middle school; randolph Bynum, sumter school district superintendent; cherryvale elementary school
26 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 27
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(803) 773-7311www.sumterbeautycollege.com
Charter, Rental and Instruction 2945 Airport Rd. • Sumter, SC 29153 • 803-469-4639
Gateways to Your Charter Needs and Dreams of Flight!
and
at the Sumter Airport
28 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 29
scorecardbusiness at a Glance
$1.6billionannual retail sales
$21,378retail sales
per capita
$96millionannual hotel
and food sales
3,275total number
of firms
Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
Business
Biz BriefsBusinesses – BoTh lArge And smAll – ThAT helP deFine
sumTer’s economic climATe
simpson HardWareBiz: Hardware storeBuzz: As part of the ACE Hardware franchise, Simpson Hardware sells its fair share of tools, paints and household supplies. But Simpson goes above and beyond your usual hardware store, carrying hunting and fishing supplies, sports gear and footwear, and even outdoorsy apparel brands including classics such as Carhartt and Woolrich and trendsetters like Under Armour and the North Face.www.simpsonhardwareinc.com
tHompson construction Group and industrial servicesBiz: ConstructionBuzz: Established in 1986 and headquartered in Sumter, Thompson is a group of privately held companies that provide a variety of industrial services to the Southeast. Companies under the Thompson umbrella include Thompson Construction Group, TiGroup and Thompson HVAC.www.thompsonsoutheast.com
brick streetBiz: Coffee shop/cafeBuzz: When in need of caffeine, Sumter locals can get their fix at Brick Street. The revamped coffee shop serves a mix of cafe classics. Coffee and espresso-based drinks may be its claim to fame, but guests can also stop in for a quick breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack or just to relax. Events and live performances often take place at night on the Brick Street stage.www.brickstreetofsumter.com
art bradHamBiz: AccountingBuzz: Too busy to deal with the mess of money? Not a problem; Sumter residents can leave the less glamorous side to professional Art Bradham. A CPA-certified accountant, Bradham specializes in solving tax problems as well as traditional preparation services and business valuations.www.artbadham.com
28 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 29
Business
chamberreportchAmBer celeBrATing 100 yeArs in 2012
Grier Blackwelder says the
mission of the Greater Sumter
Chamber of Commerce is the
same in 2012 as it was when the
chamber was established in 1912.
“It’s kind of amazing but back
in 1912, the chamber grew out of a
Board of Labor whose main focus
back then was to attract jobs to
the community and employ more
people,” says Blackwelder, Greater
Sumter Chamber president.
“Forward to 2012, and that’s pretty
much the same key issue facing
not only our chamber but all
chambers throughout the country.”
In 2012, as the Greater Sumter
Chamber turns 100, celebrations
will occur throughout the year
beginning with a gala celebration
at the chamber’s annual spring membership meeting.
“There will be a lot of remembrances throughout the year,” says Nancy Lee Zimpleman, chamber vice president of membership development. “We are a chamber of 950 members, and we hope they all get involved in the celebrations.”
Blackwelder says the chamber has a lot to be proud of during its long history. That includes Sumter becoming the first community in the country to enact a council-manager form of government.
“The chamber was a big backer of that effort,” he says. “A paid manager runs the day-to-day operations and oversees personnel in Sumter, and there are now 2,800 communities in the U.S. operating with that same council-manager form of government. But Sumter was the first.”
8,500 industrial JobsHe adds that the chamber
can be proud of forming a Sumter Development Board years ago that works to attract industry to the community, and has brought 8,500 industrial jobs to Sumter over the last 40 years and continues to help businesses relocate and expand in our community.
“The chamber has also been involved with a bond referendum to improve schools, a half-penny sales tax to improve the library, and a Penny for Progress project that targets $75 million toward civic improvements – including construction of a $20 million judicial center,” Blackwelder says. “We’ve had an interesting history in our 100 years and will be recognizing much of it throughout 2012.”
Zimpleman says the celebratory events will be posted on the sumterchamber.com website, which was recently relaunched with a fresh look.
– Kevin Litwin
30 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 31
Rebecca B. Compton, ASID, CKD
NCIDQ Certificate #9127
(803) 774-0406www.gallery406interiors.com
I N T E R I O R D E S I G N
CU S TO M CA B I NETRY
KI
TC
HE
N
&
BA
TH
D
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IG
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maJor employers
Shaw Air Force Base
6,866
Pilgrim’s Pride
2,210
Tuomey Healthcare System
1,544
Sumter School District
2,700
income
$21,704Per capita income
$46,004Average Annual household expenditure
7%graduate degree
economic resources
greater sumter chamber of commerce32 e. Calhoun St.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 775-1231
www.sumterchamber.com
city of sumter21 N. Main St.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 436-2500
www.sumter-sc.com
sumter county13 e. Canal St.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 436-2102
www.sumtercountysc.org
sumter economic development Board32 e. Calhoun St.
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 418-0700, (800) 888-7926
www.sumteredge.com
taXes
8%city sales and use Tax
7%county sales Tax
6%state sales Tax
2.5%-7%state income Tax
Workforce
70%White-collar Jobs
30%Blue-collar Jobs
education
27%Associate degree
12%Bachelor’s degree
economic overvieWSumter’s location, along with its expanding industries, a thriving
retail environment and one of the largest health care systems in
the state, will allow the area to continue to grow and prosper.
economic profile
30 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 31
Second Millpond
Photo by Antony Boshier
Image Gallery
32 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 33
Sumter County Museum
Photo by Todd Bennett
34 sumTer
Image Gallery
imAgessumTerco.com 35
Locally Owned and Operated for 60 Years
Serving You at theSe LocationS:
114 e. calhoun St. 803.775.4712
1455 S. guignard Pkwy. (hwy. 15 S.)
803.778.5752
1011 Broad St. 803.773.6011
343 Pinewood rd. 803.773.2370
36 Sunset Dr. Manning, Sc 803.433.2118
imAgessumTerco.com 37
Hungry diners in Sumter don’t
need to look far for great
food choices. Sumter offers a
wide variety of restaurants with
something to please every palate.
caFés,diners,delisCafé on Main features a
selection of soups, salads,
sandwiches, entrees and desserts.
order Hugh’s shrimp and grits
or the grilled pastrami and Swiss
melt with a cup of Low Country
gumbo. Menus change weekly,
so there’s always something new
to try. Brick Street Café, located
near Central Carolina Technical
College’s downtown campus,
offers an eclectic mix of
coffeehouse-style drinks,
breakfast items to-go, lunch
favorites, desserts and live music.
A combination of café and
bakery, Baker’s Sweets features
a variety of soups, salads,
sandwiches and baked goods
such as red velvet cake, turtle
cheesecake and much more.
Stop at Guignard Diner and try
the homemade fried chicken or
beef stew, or drop by Mary Ann’s
Deli and order from a menu
filled with sandwiches, subs
and tasty salads.
all-americanhotdogs,internationalcuisine
Duncan Dogs specializes in
a classic, All-American favorite:
hot dogs. Chili dogs, kraut dogs,
Chicago-style dogs and spicy
sausage dogs can all be found
at Duncan, along with a variety
of sides and homemade desserts.
Rascal’s adds a list of signature
salads, sandwiches and burgers
to its extensive hot dog menu.
Not a meat eater? Try Rascal’s
veggie burger, with a choice of
more than 20 different toppings.
If you’re in the mood for
something south-of-the-border,
stop at Angel’s Mexican
Restaurant for some freshly
prepared fajitas, enchiladas or
burritos. Angel’s offers a wide
selection of Mexican menu
favorites at two convenient
Sumter locations.
Go to Kobe Japanese Steak
House and Sushi Bar for
flavorsome Far east favorites.
enjoy one of Kobe’s freshly
prepared sushi selections or order
from the extensive menu of dishes
cooked on traditional Japanese
hibachi grills.
FinediningTwo fine dining establishments
are located in Sumter. The
Imperial, an 11,000-square-foot
building with luxurious leather
booths, rich wooden trim and an
intimate lounge area, serves a mix
of sumptuous dishes, including
oysters Rockefeller, fresh jumbo
crab cakes, filet mignon and slow-
roasted prime rib. The Imperial
also features a fresh seafood
buffet every Friday night and live
music events on the weekends
throughout the year.
offering a seasonally inspired
menu made with fresh local
ingredients, Hamptons serves
a variety of decadent selections
including sautéed Carolina shrimp
with fettuccine, pan-seared
Peking duck, beef tenderloin
and more.
– Barbara Biehler
FlavorfuloptionsFind your FAvoriTe Foods in locAl resTAurAnTs
Local Flavor
Hugh’s shrimp and grits from café on main
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imAgessumTerco.com 37
sumter, S.C., residents and
visitors can find an array of
family-friendly cultural activities
throughout the community.
History buffs, theater fanatics,
festival goers and those who
love outdoor attractions can
all find something to enjoy.
artandtheaterNeed a little artistic inspiration?
Browse artwork by locally and
nationally renowned artists at
the Sumter County Gallery of Art.
The gallery offers free tours by
reservation and a gift shop filled
with one-of-a-kind gifts and
decorative items. Art classes
are available for kids, teens and
adults in several different media,
from pottery to basket-making.
Patriot Hall is a performing
arts facility that is host to
performances by local actors
and musicians, cultural events
and conventions. Tours of Patriot
Hall, which includes a 1,000-seat
auditorium, meeting rooms
and more, can be arranged.
The Sumter Little Theatre
offers a variety of plays and
musicals for all ages.
Performances are held at the
Sumter County Cultural Center.
The nonprofit group includes
a youth theater, which allows
children to participate in all
aspects of stage performance,
including set building, costumes,
makeup and acting.
FestivalsgaloreSumter County citizens sure
know how to throw a party – and
they do it often. Sumter’s long-
running Iris Festival is held every
May and features a flower show,
crowning of the Iris Festival king
and queen, concerts and more.
Sponsored by Central Carolina
Technical College, a concert series
called Fridays at the Plaza offers
musical entertainment from May
through September on the third
KeepingcultureseekersentertainedThe PossiBiliTies Are neArly endless in This hisTory-rich AreA
Arts & Culture
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art by thomas Whichard at patriot Hall
38 sumTer
Friday of the month. The event
takes place from 7 p.m. until
10 p.m. at Rotary Centennial
Plaza and includes a wide range
of music, from jazz grooves to
contemporary tunes.
In September, the Sumter
Shaw Street Fest salutes the men
and women stationed at nearby
Shaw Air Force Base with a huge
street festival. From April through
october, people flock to downtown
Sumter toting lawn chairs for
Sumter @ Six, a monthly lineup
of live bands, food vendors and
good old-fashioned fun. each
october, downtown Sumter hosts
the Halloween on Main festival
for costumed kids and pets.
Come November, it’s time for
Accessibility, an annual exhibition
of public art. December finds
Sumter celebrating the holiday
season with the Swan Lake
Fantasy of Lights, the largest
free Christmas light display in the
state, and the Sumter Poinsettia
Festival featuring a drive-through
nativity, visits from Santa and live
local entertainment.
locallandmarKsThe Sumter opera House
on Main Street is often called the
crown jewel of downtown Sumter.
The historic opera house has been
entertaining crowds in Sumter
County since it was built in
the 1890s. Today the restored
building houses City Hall as
well as city departments and
offices. The first-floor auditorium,
decorated in the Art Deco style,
hosts local and national acts
ranging from concerts and theater
to dance and classic films. The
opera house’s 100-foot clock
tower atop the Richardson-
Romanesque style building is
visible from much of downtown.Bask in the beauty of nature at
Sumter’s Swan Lake Iris Gardens, the only public park in the United States that features all eight swan species. The shiny black waters of Swan Lake provide a striking backdrop for its many islands bursting with colorful irises, camellias, azaleas, day lilies
and Japanese magnolias. The floral wonderland is visited by more than 250,000 people annually and has become a haven for wildlife.
sumtercountymuseum
Love history? Sumter County has a rich 300-year heritage you can relive with a visit to the Sumter County Museum complex. It is home to a collection of historic structures, more than 108,000 artifacts, and re-enactors who bring the county’s heritage to life.
The museum campus
includes the 1916 Williams-Brice
House, the Genealogical and
Historical Research Center,
the Heritage education Center,
the Carolina Backcountry
Homestead and the beautiful
Martha Brice Gardens.
The Carolina Backcountry
Homestead hosts periodic
living history events and
includes a log cabin, smokehouse,
barn, commissary, loomhouse,
outhouse, blacksmith shop
and gardens.
– Jessica Mozo
2491 Broad St. • Sumter, SC 29150 Directly behind Applebee’s and IHOP
(803) 469-6666 • (803) 469-6667 faxwww.countryinns.com/sumtersc
Walking distance to: IHOP (open 24 hours)
Applebee’s Logan’s Roadhouse
Chili’s Outback Steakhouse
Indoor Heated Pool GYM
Free HOT Breakfast
38 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 39
sumter residents’ health care
is in good hands. Served by
Tuomey Healthcare System’s
first-rate, 301-bed hospital, locals
enjoy comprehensive care under
the convenience of one roof.
Tuomey Regional Medical
Center serves patients in every
stage of life, from an infant’s first
breath to end-of-life hospice
care. Accredited by the Joint
Commission, it provides more
than 1,500 jobs, making it the
largest non-industrial employer
in the county. More than 150
physicians practice there.
Women’sservicesTuomey’s James e. Bell Jr.
Women and Infants Pavilion was
added to the hospital campus
in 2007 to better serve women
and babies. The $23.6 million,
18,000-square-foot facility
has 24 cozy inpatient rooms
decorated to make patients
feel at home, with comfortable
furniture and ample space
for in-room treatment and
examinations.
The nursery system includes
four separate nurseries capable of
treating high-risk newborns who
need to stay at Tuomey for
extended periods of time. The
Bell Women and Infants Pavilion
also has high-risk incubators
and customizable baby stations,
breast-feeding rooms and
lactation consultants, and
wrist and ankle monitors for
mothers and babies to ensure
their security.
Baby Central features a slew
of labor and delivery suites
featuring large windows, rocking
chairs and extra-large baths and
showers to make patients’ stays
as comfortable as possible.
aimingforgoodhealthsumTer’s Tuomey heAlThcAre sysTem Provides FirsT-rATe services
Health & Wellness
40 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 41
advancedcancertechnology
Tuomey is known for the latest
advances in cancer care and
offers a Cancer Treatment Center
with the most advanced radiation
therapy technology available.
Radiation oncologists at the
Cancer Treatment Center provide
intensity-modulated radiotherapy
(IMRT), a cutting-edge treatment
few hospitals in the state provide.
In 2004, Tuomey added a new
outpatient Surgery Center with
four operating rooms, one
procedure room and 20 pre-
and post-operative beds to give
Sumter County residents more
convenience, greater comfort
and the latest in technological
advancements. The outpatient
Surgery Center is located in front
of the main hospital and provides
a covered, all-weather access
for patients.
one of the outpatient Surgery
Center’s most impressive features
is its HeRMeS voice control system
for networking medical equipment.
The FDA-approved system gives
surgeons direct control over
surgical devices using simple verbal
commands, which contributes to
efficiency and accuracy during
surgical procedures.
long-termcareWhen living at home proves too
difficult for elderly or terminally
ill Sumter residents, they and their
families have plenty of options.
Hopewell Healthcare Center, NHC
Healthcare and Sumter east Health
& Rehab Center are just a few of
the county’s long-term care
facilities. – Jessica Mozo
301Number of beds
1,500Number of jobs provided by
Tuomey Regional Medical Center
150+Number of physicians
2007Year James E. Bell Jr. Women and
Infants Pavilion was added
tuomey Healthcare system
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40 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 41
42 sumTer 42 sumTer
thinkoutsidetheBoxsTrong PrivATe schools, higher educATion oPTions AvAilABle
education
Go to the head of the class if
you think good educational
opportunities are available to
students in Sumter County.
Parents who prefer a private
or faith-based education for their
children can find it at many
area schools, while high school
graduates can further their
education without leaving the
area by attending one of Sumter
County’s higher education
options. Here are some examples:
privateschoolsSome of the top private
schools in Sumter County include
Sumter Christian School, which
was founded in 1974 and enjoys
a reputation for balanced
excellence on a community,
state and even national level;
and St. Anne Catholic School,
which teaches pre-K through
eighth grade students who strive
to become empowered learners
and active citizens.
other top private schools in
the area include St. Francis Xavier
High School, Sumter Academy,
Thomas Sumter Academy and
Wilson Hall. Westside Christian
Academy accommodates
students in grades one through
eight and is a ministry of Westside
Baptist Church, and the goal of
the staff is to work closely with
parents in every aspect to train
the whole child.
highereducationThe good academic options
include Central Carolina Technical
College, a comprehensive, public
two-year institution that confers
associate degrees, diplomas and
certificates; and Morris College,
a historically black, coeducational
liberal arts college operated
by the Baptist educational and
Missionary Convention of South
Carolina. Also available to college
students in the region is the
University of South Carolina
Sumter, which offers a full
range of programs from
associate degrees through
graduate programs.
Meanwhile, students living
at Shaw Air Force Base can also
easily access a college education.
Saint Leo University, embry
Riddle Aeronautical University,
the University of Phoenix and
Webster University all have course
and degree programs at the base.
Troy University has a community
campus in Sumter County.
– Jessica Mozo
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42 sumTer
from far left: students at morris college’s Forensics center; Anderson library at The university of south carolina sumter
outdoorFantasygeT FiT And hAve Fun in sumTer
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44 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 45
outdoor lovers will brag
about Sumter County’s
recreation options. With 24 parks
offering boating, birding, hiking,
biking, fishing and horseback
riding, the city proves that you
can get healthier while having
fun outside.
And for tennis players, there’s
the Palmetto Tennis Center, which
has 24 lighted courts for night
play and offers group clinics
and private lessons.
parKsandtrailsThe Sumter County Recreation
and Parks Department oversees
a wide array of parks, sports
leagues and trails that contribute
to the county’s quality of life. The
Cypress Trail is a scenic 6-mile,
natural-surface walking trail open
daily from dawn until dusk. There
are also walking tracks at V.I.M.
Park, Wedgefield Community
Park, Cherryvale Community
Center, Live oak Park, Rembert-
Rafting Creek Community Center
and Dillon Park.
Senior citizens stay active in
Sumter, too. The Sumter County
Recreation and Parks Department
sponsors Senior Fitness Days, with
competitive games of golf, track
and field, horseshoes, bowling,
basketball, table tennis and more.
poolsandlaKesMake a splash at the City of
Sumter Aquatics Center, which
has competition swim meets, a
slide, wade pool entrance and
fountain. The Aquatics Center
provides water aerobics classes,
swim camps for kids, lifeguard
training and swim lessons for
kids 3 and older.
Area lakes provide great fishing
opportunities, with Lake Marion
sprawling across more than
110,000 acres in Sumter and four
surrounding counties. The lake is
popular with fishermen, thanks to
its abundant supply of bass,
catfish and crappie.
Fishing is also a favorite activity
at Manchester State Forest’s four
ponds and many creeks. other
popular places to enjoy the
outdoors include Poinsett State
Park, High Hills of the Santee
Passage, Woods Bay State
Natural Area and Lynches River.
golFcoursesNotable golf courses in
Sumter include Crystal Lakes
Public Golf Course and the
Sunset Country Club. The
private Sunset CC was founded
in 1922 and features 18 holes
at par 70 that plays 6,511 yards
from the back tees.
– Jessica Mozo
Sports & Recreation
6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1 3/22/10 11:40:09 AM 44 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 45
Lifestyle Options:
•IndependentLiving
•AssistedLiving
•SkilledNursingCare
•SecuredMemoryCare
•MedicarePartA Short-TermRehabilitation
Sumter’s Only Continuing Care
Retirement Community
2825 Carter Rd. Sumter, SC 29150 (830) 469-7007 www.covenantplace.org
visit ouradvertisersBank of Clarendonwww.bankofclarendon.com
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C. Anthony’s Menswearwww.canthonysmenswear.com
Central Carolina Technical Collegewww.cctech.edu
City of Sumterwww.sumtersc.gov
Country Inn & Suiteswww.countryinn.com/sumtersc
Covenant Placewww.covenantplace.org
Gallery 406 Interiorswww.gallery406interiors.com
Greater Sumter Chamber of Commercewww.sumterchamber.com
Hangar Twelvewww.hangartwelve.com
Kaydon Corporationwww.kaydonbearings.com
Morris Collegewww.morris.edu
Nicole Norris Design Studio Inc.www.nicolenorrisdesign.com
On Eagles’ Wings Inc.www.sumterairport.com
Piggly Wiggly
Prudential – John M. Brabham Real Estatewww.wesellsumter.com
SAFE Federal Credit Unionwww.safefed.org
Sumter Beauty College Inc.www.sumterbeautycollege.com
Sumter Countywww.sumtercountysc.org
Sumter Development Boardwww.sumteredge.com
Sykes Enterprises Inc.www.sykes.com
The Southern Crosswww.cannofsiam.com
Thompson Construction Groupwww.thompson.southeast.com
University of South Carolina Sumterwww.uscsumter.edu
sumter, soutH carolina
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Images Sumter is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through
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For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact
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for more information, contact:Greater Sumter County Chamber of Commerce
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sumterchamber.com
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46 sumTer imAgessumTerco.com 47
Utilize the skill and knowledge of seasoned design professionals …
residential • CoMMerCial MediCal • hospitalitY
466 n. guignard dr. sumter, sC 29150
(803) 773-8083 www.nicolenorrisdesign.com
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cost of livinG
$42,609median household income
$134,500median home Price
$578median rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
WeatHer
91°FJuly Average high
34°FJanuary Average low
48”Annual rain Fall (vs. national Average Annual rain Fall of 37”)
42%Black
2%hispanic
4%other
numbers to knoW
driver’s license
State of South Carolina –
Driver License Division
(803) 775-8559
vehicle registration
South Carolina Department
of Motor Vehicles
www.scdmvonline.com/
DMVNew/default.
aspx?n=titleandreg
voter registration
Sumter County Registration/
election office
(803) 436-2310
www.sumtercountysc.org/
departments/Voterreg1.htm
HouseHold information
aGe:
38median resident Age
27%Age 19 and under
46%Age 20-54
27%Age 55 and over
marital status:
51%married
49%single
etHnicity:
52%White
community overvieWSumter is growing – and not just economically. The area’s arts,
historic and environmental preservation, and sports are all growing
as well, with more than 100 clubs and community organizations
devoted to these interests and much more.
community profile
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Through the Lens
It’s funny how little you know
about a place even though you’ve
been there numerous times.
Having been to Sumter, SC,
on many occasions for work, I’ve
passed under the footbridge on
Liberty Street but never taken
a gander at what lay beyond
the fences.
To my surprise, behind the
tall black fences lays a 120-acre
garden, the Swan Lake-Iris
Gardens, that contains all
manners of flora, from camellias,
to day lilies, to azaleas. But the
most prized of them all, are the
Japanese iris …
Hamilton Carr Bland first
tried planting Japanese iris at his
home in the 1920s. After several
unsuccessful attempts at getting
them to bloom, Bland had the iris
bulbs dug up and dumped into
some swamp land.
The following spring to Bland’s
surprise, the bulbs burst from the
ground into what would become
the Swan Lake-Iris Gardens.
But if the flora doesn’t impress
you, the fauna definitely will.
FromourphotoBlog:sumter
PoSTeD BY ToDD BeNNeTT
moreonlineSee more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.
Now that you’ve experienced Sumter through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.
getthestoryBehindthephoto
48 sumTer
imAgessumTerco.com 49
Belladonna
“Different kind of clothing … for a different kind of lady!”Giuliana Mastrangelo, Owner • 600 Bultman Dr., Unit 3 • Sumter, SC 29150 • 803.773.1431