Business, Innovation & Technology

Aiken and Aiken County are highly pro business. The Aiken Downtown Development Association, the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken Corporation are instrumental in keeping Aiken the beautiful, prosperous city that it is. Besides the many shops downtown and the array of national stores on the Southside, Aiken and Aiken County boast many larger businesses and industry.

Just south of Aiken, the Savannah River Site, with its 11,000-person workforce, is the largest employer in South Carolina.

Technological advances regularly spring from SRS, USC Aiken and Aiken Technical College. Our county is among the world’s leading innovators of the coming hydrogen economy.

Top scientists at the Savannah River National Laboratory lead the study of hydrogen and efforts by innovative economic development sources has transformed some of the once classified research into use by the commercial sector

The Center for Hydrogen Research, which sits about a good 3-iron shot from the national lab, is championing research of this energy of our future. They make hydrogen out of solar and wind energy, while 95 percent of the other hydrogen manufactured in American is done so by burning natural gas – certainly not a green beginning. A few miles from the center at Sage Valley Industrial Park, the Economic Development Partnership, the driving force behind the CHR, has its own hydrogen fueling station where you can fill up your hydrogen car and drive it to Columbia along I-20 – renamed the Hydrogen Freeway – to a second filling station. Soon, other hydrogen fueling stations within moderate drives of Aiken will be open.

Aiken also has its own hydrogen neighborhood. The Ridge at Chukker Creek is building at least one house powered by a combination of solar energy and a hydrogen fuel cell. The houses will be wired Aiken County Electric Cooperative, but it is expected that over a year’s time the amount of energy the house will pass back to the power company will equal or exceed the amount of energy the house had to borrow.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Events created especially for Celebrate Aiken!

Business, Innovation and Technology Exposition: Saturday, July 17, at the USC Aiken Convocation Center. Something for the entire family, as more than 50 organizations will display dazzling technology and interactive delights. Free admission. Call (803) 649-2221. Click here to view the flyer »

Aiken Reads: Tuesday, July 27, 6:30 p.m. at the Aiken County Public Library in the Bank of America Room. A scholar-led discussion of "Swimming Lessons" by South Carolina Lowcountry author Mary Alice Monroe. The companion picture book, "Turtle Summer," introduces children to the life cycle of the loggerhead sea turtles. On Wednesday, July 21 at 2 p.m., 1st to 5th graders are invited to explore the world of turtles through crafts, games and books, including "Turtle Summer." Contact Mary Jo Dawson, (803) 642-2020.

Transportation Parade to the Railroad Depot: Saturday, Sept 18, an historical parade of vehicles from the horse and buggy to the hydrogen car will wind though downtown to the new railroad depot. Call (803) 649-2221.

Business, Innovation and Technology Facility Tours: During August and September various institutions will offer the public guided tours of their facilities. Exact dates, times and locations have yet to be determined. Call (803) 649-2221.

Community events supporting Celebrate Aiken!

ADDA's Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre: August 13 and 14, Newberry Hall at 7 pm. Contact Carla Cloud at (803) 649-2221.

Neutrino Celebration: Sponsored by the SRS Heritage Foundation, August 27. Talks and reception at USC Aiken. Contact Walt Joseph at (803) 648-5634.

City of Aiken Amateur Golf Championship: August 27, 28, 29, at The Aiken Golf Club. Call (803) 649-6029.

Midday Music Concert: Noon, Thursday, Sept. 16, at First Presbyterian Church. Free admission. Call (803) 648-2662.

Festival of the Woods: Friday and Saturday, September 24 and 25, Hitchcock Woods. Contact Doug Rabold 642-0528.