Newberry fee waivers kick start economic development

NEWBERRY – Frozen Berry Self-Serve Frozen Yogurt was awarded an economic development sponsorship to become a new addition to Newberry’s commercial district.

“It’s not a lot of money I’m saving, but when you are starting your own business every little bit helps,” said Jason McGehee, store owner.

McGehee’s business on the corner of US 27/41 and SW 4^th Avenue is the same concept as Mochi, but with a twist. It’s local, not franchised.

“I don’t want to be told what I can and can’t do,” he said. “I would rather start my own brand.”

The sponsorship waives the application fees for new businesses that meet the city’s vision for small firms that will maintain a clean environment, suitable infrastructure and compatible land use. McGehee will use the funds he was able to save to update the building and landscaping.

This economic development sponsorship is an experiment to see whether or not it is actually a suitable tool to develop the economy, said Lowell Garrett, the City of Newberry’s planning director.

About 50 businesses have applied for the sponsorship, and 11 of them have been approved. With the exception of one or two, these businesses will be located in the commercial sector, bolstering the downtown area and keeping it vibrant.

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