Proven Economic Development Leadership for Anderson County

"Bill McAbee would work, first of all, to expand the district's tax base...his prior experience with the Anderson County Economic Development Board will aid in the all-important continuation of luring more industry to the county." -Anderson Independent Mail

Working hard for JOBS.

During my tenure serving you on the Anderson County Council, we have added 22 new industries, bringing more than 4,034 new jobs since 2004. Our unemployment rate has dropped from 7.5% in 2005 to a current rate of only 5.7%. As a result, Anderson County has saved paying our more than $2.1 million in direct unemployment benefits with more than a 20-to-1 return on every dollar invested in economic development in Anderson County. (source: South Carolina Securities and Exchange Commission)

Working with our economic development department, I successfully opened the door to our first certified industrial site located in Anderson County and I am continuing to push for certification of every major industrial site in our community. I have also supported the growth of the Clemson Research Park.

With the support of council, I successfully implemented the "Empty Big Box Retailer" resolution that enables rehab on eyesore, vacant buildings. Two recent successfully implemented examples: the new Hampton Furniture on Whitehall, formerly a Sears warehouse, and the former Winn Dixie building on Greenville Street, now renovated and employing 350 call-center employees.

Please help me to continue serving you by bringing valuable jobs to our community that expand our tax base to benefit us all.

Bill McAbee