Archer City Manager Tony Hammond discussed the economic development priorities of his community. The City of Archer has a population that is under 1,200 and has remained relatively stable between census counts. The County currently assists the City in processing its development permits.
Major impediments to economic growth include wastewater service and the size of Archer Road coming into the city.
Archer’s economic priorities include:
Extending wastewater services 8.9 miles into Archer from the City of Newberry. The city will need 500,000 gallons of wastewater service, which should support the city’s wastewater service needs in the future. A regional system is more affordable than the City of Archer trying to construct a standalone wastewater treatment service. Future development may be dependent upon access to these facilities. The first phase covers the properties to the north of Archer Road. The second phase of service expansion will cover the properties to the southwest side of Archer Road.
Utilizing shovel-ready industrial lands to the immediate east of Archer. The privately held site, which is +350 acres in size, has rail access and the support of Duke Energy’s site selection services. The County is working with these shovel-ready sites to bring prospects.
Archer would like to see more commercial development and desires more restaurants. The community could use a pharmacy, which may come when a 5,000 residential zoned property is developed. These development opportunities will be dependent upon access to the Newberry wastewater services.
The community is currently deliberating a concrete batch plant in the former steel foundry site in the middle of the city. The $8 million batch plant could bring over 50 jobs if constructed.
Archer would like the County Commission to continue to prioritize State legislation on the expansion of Archer Road to four lanes.