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Welcome to Aiken, Southern Living’s Best Small Town in the South. As you walk through our tree-lined streets, it’s hard to believe you are in a rapidly growing Cyber Region, fueled by the Army Cyber Headquarters’relocation to Fort Gordon, already housing National Security Administration operations. More than 13,000 people are expected to move to our Augusta/Aiken area by 2023 for cyber careers with the federal government, including the Savannah River Site, or other cyber-related businesses, such as Unisys. In addition, the region’s universities, technical colleges and high schools, in both South Carolina and Georgia, have added or enriched their cyber programs to support both the industry and the workforce. Augusta University, for example, offers a Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Engineering. More than $100 million has been invested in Georgia’s two new Cyber Center buildings on the Augusta University’s Riverfront Campus, just 25 minutes from Aiken. As you consider becoming part of our growing cyber community, be sure to explore living in Aiken, where many engineers and scientists choose to live. Our town is an easy drive to Fort Gordon or downtown Augusta in less time than from traffic-congested, overbuilt areas that may seem closer. Newcomers are amazed that you can get anywhere in Aiken in five minutes, yet we have the shopping, restaurants and amenities you would expect. You’ll have the time to hike in the nation’s largest urban forest, Hitchcock Woods, go to your kid’s soccer match or hang out downtown with your dog.
Jonat han Larry Best Wishes,
Jonathan Larry Aiken Young Professionals Economic Development Partnership P.S. Because you have an investigative mind, decode the embedded messages, construct your paper plane, and fly it in Aiken!
City of
HITCHCOCK WOODS 70 MILES OF TRAILS
The largest privately owned urban forest in the United States is located in downtown Aiken. It is home to public horseback riding, hiking, bird watching, and dog walking.
NEARBY ADVENTURES KAYAKING Savannah River | Aiken State Park | Horse Creek | Broad River | Edisto River MOUNTAIN BIKING Boyd Pond | Fats Trail | Bartram Trail | Mistletoe State Park | Canal Trail TRAIL HIKING Hitchcock Woods | Boyd Pond | Aiken State Park | Phinizy Swamp HORSEBACK RIDING Deerwood Stables | Rebel Ranch Horse Tours BIRD WATCHING Hitchcock Woods | Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary | Phinizy Swamp PICNICS Hopelands Gardens | Boyd Pond | Brick Pond | Lake Thurmond | Lake Murray FISHING Savannah River | Lake Thurmond | Lake Murray | Edisto River | Broad River
SAVANNAH RIVER
GO OFFLINE FATS TRAIL
AIKEN STATE PARK
HITCHCOCK WOODS
SILVER BLUFF SANCTUARY
At some point, everyone needs to go offline, get off the grid and explore. Discover new things about yourself, nature and your community. Or just decompress. You can wander through 2,100 acres of Hitchcock Woods on foot or horseback, kayak the Savannah River rapids, or bike the 37-mile Fats Trail or our local Greeneway Trail. There is even more to do with the mountains and beaches just a few hours away. Designated as a Tree City, Aiken has more than 23,000 trees, 178 green parkways and 14 parks. Just walking downtown is refreshing.
DISCOVER AIKEN
LIVE MUSIC
INSIDE AND OUT Aiken feels like a village. Walk your dog downtown, and enjoy live music, craft beers and whiskey in the Alley – where you can carry your drink, sample local fare and meet new people. Named in 1835 for William Aiken of the S.C. Railroad, Aiken began as a health resort for Low Country planters who sought the dry pine-scented air and fresh-water springs, and in the late 1800s it became the Winter Colony for northern aristocrats who escaped harsh winters and brought their horses. Explore the horse district with historic homes, unpaved streets, large stables and polo fields. Be sure to see the fall and spring Steeplechase and annual Trials, where champions get their start. And, of course, there is plenty of golf, including the nearby Master’s Tournament. If you prefer disc golf, we have six courses.
LOCAL CAFES
PET FRIENDLY
LOCAL SHOPS
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RICH HISTORY
THE ALLEY
DOWNTOWN AIKEN
A BETTER VIEW Whether you fly over Aiken in an airplane or virtually via drone or GIS, you’ll enjoy the view. You’ll see why Aiken is designated a Tree City, with large expanses of woods and parks that surround neighborhoods, large estates and golf courses. Our Municipal Airport provides convenient access to general aviation, while the Augusta Regional Airport serves commercial airlines just 30 minutes away.
HISTORIC MUSEUM
WOODSIDE PLANTATION
AIKEN GOLF COURSE
Aiken Municipal Airport
With more than 43,000 annual aircraft operations, the Aiken Municipal Airport can easily and safely accommodate general aviation, including air taxis, military, single - and multiple - engine planes and jets.
HITCHCOCK WOODS
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AIKEN, SC
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AIKEN, SC
AIKENFORCER
CityofAiken.gov
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1) CUT IT
CityofAiken.gov
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3) ATTACH IT 4) CONNECT IT
Download the Powerup app to connect!
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5) FLY IT
If flying without a drone, use a paperclip!
DOWNTOWN AIKEN
BLACK GUM POND
AIKEN RAILROAD
POLO ASSOCIATION
HOPELANDS GARDENS
USC AIKEN
AMP THE ALLEY
FARMERS MARKET
NIGHT OF 1000 LIGHTS
BOYD POND TRAIL
THE WILLCOX
SOUTH BOUNDARY
STEEPLECHASE
AIKEN BLUEGRASS
CENTER FOR THE ARTS
DISCOVER YOUR VIEW
AIKEN, SC WASHINGTON, DC
530 MILES
CHARLOTTE, NC
145 MILES SOUTH CAROLINA BEACHES 130 MILES
COLUMBIA, SC
AUGUSTA, GA
SAVANNAH, GA
ATLANTA, GA
57 MILES
15 MILES
126 MILES
170 MILES
SOUTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS 101 MILES
GEORGIA MOUNTAINS 117 MILES
GEORGIA BEACHES 135 MILES
EXCEL-ERATION Both the University of South Carolina Aiken and Aiken Technical College partner with our school district to offer dual enrollment so that high school students can graduate with up to two years’ of college credit. USCA offers 45 undergraduate majors and several master’s degree programs.
OUR STUDENTS EXCEL AP Students Increased by 77% Last Year 40% of Students Honor Graduates Dual Enrollment Earns College Credits Aiken Scholars Academy at USCA Cyber Patriot Teams Apprenticeships
COLLEGES OFFER CYBER Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering Bachelor of Science, major in Cyber Operations Bachelor of Science, major in Cybersecurity Applied Computer Science, Cybersecurity Applied Computer Science, Gaming Certification in Cybersecurity
HIGHLIGHTS
USC Aiken has been ranked #1 by U.S. News and World Report for Southern Public Regional Universities and is ranked in the Top 100 Universities in the nation by Military Times.
e x n i h i l o n i h i l fi t
AIKEN EDUCATION
NEXT GENERATION We are building new public schools and individualized programs to ensure a 21st Century learning environment for all students, including STEM, STEAM and cyber programs and Magnet Schools. Students can prepare for college, the military or direct entry into the workforce. Aiken County is the emerging premier school district in South Carolina. In addition to public schools, several private schools also prepare Aiken students for the future. In higher education, our region offers everything from certifications to a Ph.D. in cyber sciences to meet the needs of industry and the workforce. Colleges are looking at ways to translate workplace training into college credits. Our institutions include University of South Carolina Aiken, Aiken Technical College and Augusta University.
AIKEN BY THE
NUMBERS
No matter how you look at the numbers, Aiken is both comfortable and affordable. Our winters are short (Jan.-Feb.) with average lows of 33-36 and highs of 54-62, and summers are long (May-Sept.). with average lows of 58-71 and highs of 92. Our blue skies give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. In fact, sometimes it’s shorts weather in December. If you see snow, it’s time to take a day off. With a cost-of-living index of 85 out of 100, Aiken ranks as a great value for your dollar. Property taxes are also low, so you can afford more house or more of something else. And living is easy with a walkable downtown, short cross-town drive-times, and easy access to I-20, connecting Aiken to Augusta, Columbia and other interstates and highways.
<numbers> <Cost of Living> 85 <Median Home Value> $149,892 County $175,400 City <City Population> 31,391 <County Population> 171,179 <Homeownership Rate> 64.8% <p>Lower property taxes than surrounding areas. Average $733.96 per year in Aiken County. By Comparison on a $200,000 House Aiken County, SC - $777.60 Columbia County, GA - $2,234.96 Richmond County, GA - $2,426.56 Lexington County, SC $1,036.46 </p> <Sales Tax> 8% <Temperature Ranges> Low of 33° to high of 92° <h1> Drive Times </h1>
<Augusta Cyber Center> 25 minutes <Anywhere in Aiken> 5-10 minutes <numbers/>
COMMENTS I have a computer business in Aiken, take my dog to all the parks, play disc golf and try out local restaurants. - Chris Crozier With an urban vibe, The Alley Taproom (60 craft beers on tap) has given young people something fun to do, like Bend and Brews, while keeping in line with Aiken’s charm! - Byron Bush The Willcox atmosphere makes me feel somehow elegant and at home at once, whether I’m enjoying dinner or reading a book in front of their beautiful fireplace. - Alexandra Shearn Everything is so unique and fresh at New Moon Café. My favorite is the Garcia – ham, brie cheese, and honey mustard. Don’t forget to grab a bag of their house-roasted coffee beans as a parting treat! - Sarah Kinney I love stopping in Beyond Bijoux when I’m downtown. They have a fun mix of gifts, jewelry and clothing. - Taylor Buzhardt
KEY WORDS TO BYTE ON
Aiken... Rose Hill in Aiken Hitchcock Woods Steeplechase Horse Trials Amp the Alley Bluegrass Festival WCSF Fair Blessing of the Hounds Winter Colony Whiskey and Easy Woodside Golf Riding Lessons Aiken Chamber Battle of Aiken Antiques in the Heart Hops and Hogs Barktoberfest Aiken State Park Hopelands Gardens Equestrian Community Shopping and Dining USC Aiken Aiken Scholars Academy Parks and Recreation Retail Space Cost of Living Nightlife and Calendars Churches and Community Parades and Events Dupont Planetarium Aiken Regional Medical Centers
WELCOME HOME There is no doubt that our region is having a cyber explosion, driven primarily by the Army Cyber Command at Fort Gordon as well as the Savannah River Site and private contractors. As you look for that place where you can excel in your career and enjoy life without the hassle of traffic or the expense of a big city, we hope “y’all” will be calling Aiken “home.” It’s easy in Aiken.
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City of AdventureAiken.com 803.502.4997
135 Laurens St. SW Aiken, SC 29801
PHOTO CREDITS: Brent Cline Dane Deaner Jared Evans Jon Flobrant Austin Templeton