Laser Tattoo Removal in Aiken, SC

Editor's note: The Aiken Standard asked leaders from around Aiken County to share their goals for 2026.

As Western South Carolina looks toward 2026, economic development efforts will focus on sustaining momentum while laying the groundwork for long-term, balanced growth. Aiken County, a key driver within the western region of the state, is expected to continue attracting new capital investment and creating jobs, particularly within the manufacturing sector. While the pace of announcements may not match the unprecedented activity of the past 18 months, the projects that do move forward are anticipated to be meaningful and impactful for the local economy.

A central priority for 2026 will be the continued development of the North Fork Commerce Park in eastern Aiken County. Significant progress is planned, including completion of the entry road, installation of signage, and landscaping improvements that enhance the park’s visibility and readiness. Equally important, water and sewer infrastructure will be extended to the site. These investments are critical steps toward fully positioning the park as a competitive, market-ready location for new industrial prospects. Once completed, North Fork Commerce Park will strengthen Aiken County’s inventory of available sites and improve its ability to compete for high-quality manufacturing projects.

Supporting existing industry will remain a cornerstone of economic development strategy. In 2026, leaders will meet with every manufacturing company currently operating in Aiken County. These visits serve two vital purposes: gathering real-time intelligence on industry needs and challenges, and proactively assisting companies that may be considering expansions. Retaining and growing existing employers not only protects current jobs but often leads to faster, more sustainable economic gains than recruitment alone.

Marketing efforts will also continue at an aggressive pace. Aiken County, along with the other three counties that make up the Western South Carolina region, will be promoted to prospective companies and site selection professionals both domestically and internationally. This regional approach highlights shared assets, workforce strengths, and infrastructure advantages that make Western South Carolina an attractive destination for investment.

Workforce development will be further strengthened through ongoing collaboration with Aiken County Public Schools. Building on a dialogue that began in mid-2025, economic development leaders will encourage guidance and career counselors to visit local manufacturing facilities. These visits will help educators better understand the careers available right now, right here in Aiken County, and allow them to guide students toward viable, well-paying career paths.

Overall, Western South Carolina enters 2026 from a position of strength. Thanks in large part to the continued efforts of Aiken County Council to keep taxes and regulations from becoming burdensome, the region remains competitive, business-friendly, and well-prepared for the next phase of economic growth.

AIKEN — Rain on Jan. 3 didn’t stop Aiken’s newest Tractor Supply from bringing in customers on its opening day.

The new store is located on Rutland Drive across from Aiken High School and next to the Sprint convenience store.

This is now the third location of the chain in Aiken County, with another on Whiskey Road and one in North Augusta.

Just after making his first purchase at the new spot, customer Tom Powers took a moment to talk about the impact of the store’s location on Aiken's Northside.

For him, the Whiskey Road location was a bit too out of the way to stop by regularly. Now, he said, he’ll be able to make more frequent trips.

“I just walked through. It looks great,” Powers said. “I think it’s great … we need stuff on this side of town.”

Powers is not the only one hoping to see more development in this part of Aiken.

“When you see a development like this, it often brings secondary growth with it. Other businesses tend to follow. So, any positive growth on the Northside is real progress, not just for this area but for the entire city,” said Gail Diggs, Aiken City Councilwoman representing District 1.

“My hope, my prayers, are that all of this new development coming to the Northside brings more restaurants as well as grocery stores. That’s what we really need,” she said.

As for the Tractor Supply, Diggs noted that it’s a business “that really helps meet the needs of all of our citizens, especially for the folks in District 1.”

The community is invited to join in on the store’s official opening celebration on Jan. 10 starting at 8 a.m. and lasting all day. There will be food trucks and festivities in the parking lot during the event.

Charles Schmidt founded Tractor Supply Co. in Chicago in 1938 as a mail-order business that sold tractor parts. The first Tractor Supply store opened in 1939 in Minot, North Dakota.

As of Sept. 27, 2025, there were 2,364 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states in the chain. The company also was operating 206 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states.

AIKEN, S.C., Dec. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What should buyers and sellers expect from the Aiken, SC, housing market in 2026? offers a clear view of current conditions and upcoming trends shaping local real estate activity.

Drawing on the experience of local Real Estate Expert Tad Barber of REMAX Tattersall Group, the article outlines how steady demand, lifestyle priorities, and thoughtful buyer choices are defining the Aiken real estate landscape. Rather than dramatic swings, the 2026 Aiken, SC housing market trends suggest a measured pace in which informed decisions carry more weight than ever.

According to the HelloNation article, the Aiken housing market continues to draw interest from individuals and families seeking a quieter pace of life without sacrificing key amenities. The lasting effects of remote and hybrid work models have changed what people look for in homes, with a substantial impact on Aiken homes for sale. Buyers in larger cities are prioritizing flexibility and quality of life over commute times, driving continued relocation interest.

Barber, who works closely with both local clients and newcomers to the region, confirms that lifestyle factors are increasingly influencing the Aiken, SC, housing market. Homes with versatile layouts, dedicated office spaces, and outdoor access are in demand, especially among families drawn to Aiken’s schools, parks, and community features. These Aiken real estate trends are expected to remain strong into and through 2026.

In the article, Aiken’s land and lot availability also receive attention. Buyers are consistently interested in properties with acreage, especially those suitable for horses or future home additions. These options, often located just outside the downtown core, are shaping the broader outlook for the Aiken housing market. As demand for space and privacy grows, so does the value of well-positioned, usable land.

Inventory is another key theme. The 2026 Aiken, SC housing market trends reflect a relatively balanced inventory. While new construction offers more choices than in previous years, the pace of sales and listings remains steady. This environment has kept home prices stable, avoiding the rapid fluctuations seen in other regions. For buyers and sellers alike, this brings predictability and confidence.

Another critical trend mentioned in the HelloNation article is the rise of lifestyle-driven decision-making. Walkability, access to green spaces, and community features such as equestrian facilities are gaining weight in buyers' evaluations. Downtown Aiken and nearby neighborhoods that offer a mix of convenience and character are expected to remain competitive in the year ahead.

For sellers navigating the Aiken real estate market, Barber emphasizes the importance of realistic pricing and strong presentation. Homes priced appropriately and well-marketed are more likely to attract serious offers. For buyers, understanding which types of Aiken homes for sale are gaining traction can help guide wise choices in a steady but competitive market.

The article also stresses that the Aiken housing market outlook is shaped more by long-term interest than by short-term speculation. This signals a healthy path forward, with genuine demand supporting stable market activity. While pricing has leveled out compared to earlier growth periods, value remains firm, and the local real estate community is focused on maintaining trust and clarity for clients.

features insights from Tad Barber, Real Estate Expert of Aiken, South Carolina, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation

HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative "edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Patrick McCabe

info@hellonation.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dd567b4b-dce0-4222-a26f-2e6d48a7946a

AIKEN — The S.C. Governor’s Nuclear Advisory Council met in Aiken on Dec. 15, hearing presentations about the status of ongoing projects at the Savannah River Site, new missions there and the status of the nation’s energy infrastructure.

The council advises Gov. Henry McMaster on issues pertaining to nuclear activities in South Carolina, and is part of the state’s Department of Commerce.

The group met in a conference room in the Savannah River National Laboratory’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative on the campus of the USC Aiken.

Edwin Deshong, manager of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Operations Office, welcomed the group to Aiken.

“We have a tremendous amount of work. All three of our corporate partners are here and they’ll be presenting,” Deshong said.

Johney Green, director of the Savannah River National Laboratory, told the council that the lab’s 1,400 employees are focusing on national security, environmental stewardship and energy resilience. Green called the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative an “outside-the-fence” collaboration space for open science and partnerships between industry and the SRNL.

Michael Mikolanis, field office manager for the National Nuclear Security Administration, briefed the group on the NNSA’s request for proposals to build energy generation and artificial intelligence data centers on 10 tracts of land available for lease on the Savannah River Site.

Jeff Griffin, president and chief executive officer of Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, spoke about the SRS dilute and dispose project, the tritium extraction project, and construction of the Plutonium Pit Production Facility. SRNS is management and operations contractor at the Savannah River Site.

Forecasting that SRNS will need to hire 2,000 people in the next five years, Griffin said the company is focusing on apprenticeships, internships, university engagement, outreach and retention to meet that goal.

Robert Bennett, president and CEO of the SRS Community Reuse Organization, spoke about the group’s efforts to establish a nuclear workforce pipeline from middle school through college. SRSCRO is a private nonprofit established to provide leadership for promoting the common economic interests of the five counties in South Carolina and Georgia that surround SRS.

“Let’s be very clear. If we’re looking at a 2032, 2034 start date for SRPPF, those future workers are sitting in seventh grade right now. That’s a very important thing for all of us to remember,” Bennett said.

Tom Burns, president and program manager of Savannah River Mission Completion, the site’s liquified waste contractor, spoke about SRMC’s notable achievements.

SRMC has processed more than 10 million gallons of salt waste and completed cleaning of seven liquid waste storage tanks, including four in 2025.

University of Georgia engineering professor David Gattie spoke to the group about challenges created by the age of nation’s energy generation infrastructure, and then need to produce energy of high thermal value for grid reliability and industrial processes.

After the meeting Richard Lee, chair of the council, said his first takeaway is that “Savannah River Site is alive and well and they’re making great progress on the liquid waste. Really tremendous progress.”

Regarding workforce development he said that “We need to take a little different approach to solving it, particularly for the nuclear industry but also others.”

Lee said the state’s energy infrastructure would be improved by completion of reactors at the V.C. Summer site.

State utility Santee Cooper has signed a letter of intent with Brookfield Asset Management to evaluate finishing two nuclear reactors at the V.C. Summer site in Fairfield County. The project to build the two reactors was halted in 2017 after billions had been spent.

“We’re doing what we can in South Carolina with V.C. Summer. We’re very fortunate that it’s there for us to finish.”

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services

Publix announced a new 46,791 sq. ft. location at The Village at Woodside, 1535 Silver Bluff Rd, Aiken, SC, 29803, set to open on Dec. 6, 2025.

“We are thrilled to open a second location in Aiken,” said Publix Media Relations Manager Jared Glover in the recent release. “Our management team and associates are ready to provide the premier service and quality products Publix customers know and love.”

95^th anniversary bag

To celebrate its 95^th anniversary, Publix handed out commemorative reusable bags to the first 95 customers in line at the grand opening.

Traditional departments

Special services