ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Russell Street in downtown Orangeburg is home to many businesses, and there's an ongoing effort to spruce up the area in order to attract new businesses. However, a majority of the buildings are vacant.
Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce President James McQuilla says having investors would make a difference for the economy.
“We are committed to making sure that the city of Orangeburg goes through a transformation," said McQuilla. “If we can get more funds invested into Orangeburg, then we can make it more attractive for businesses to relocate here, to expand here.”
Orangeburg City Administrator Sidney Evering says part of the city’s revitalization efforts is buying back buildings downtown.
“Back in 2021, we purchased a handful of buildings that we want to have site control over,” sad Evering. “We can also use those as incentives to potential business owners who have good business ideas that want to locate or relocate downtown.”
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Tulio’s Pizzeria Restaurant on Russell Street has decided to move their restaurant to Santee.
Laura Castillo is an owner at the pizzeria and says this could have been avoided if there were more activities downtown.
“I think a lot of it just has to do with fixing up this area and, you know, maybe a reminder to the public every once in a while like 'Hey, come visit,'” said Castillo. “Maybe more programs or more events down this way to kind of push, 'Hey, come down to Russell Street. You’ve got these businesses here that need your help and stuff.”
Keisha Lanae, who grew up in Orangeburg, just moved her store, Boujee Spirit, to Russell Street.
“I think that we need to spend more money in our community, but in order for us to do that, we gotta be willing to tear down and rebuild," Lanae said. "We got to be willing to support small businesses like myself. And, as far as what they can do again, they can actually find more ways to make it easier for small businesses to get these buildings and that again starts with tearing things down and remodeling it."
There’s no timetable on when the revitalization work will be completed.