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🌱 How Aiken’s new Innovation Hub status could boost local jobs and startups
Aiken, South Carolina Patch AM: a 5 min readCoffee in hand, Aiken? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How Aiken’s new Innovation Hub status could boost local jobs and startups
- How Aiken’s new budget raises fees without touching the tax rate
- What would a doubled hospitality tax mean for Aiken’s downtown plans?
Also on today's calendar: Juneteenth and 2 more events.
Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high of 96 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., temps: high: 94, low: 73.
- Sunday: Humid with a stray t-storm, with a high of 93 and low of 72 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Aiken is part of a statewide network of Innovation Hubs. How will that benefit business locally? (postandcourier.com) — Aiken has been named one of South Carolina’s new Innovation Hubs, positioning the city for fresh investment, grants, and support for tech-focused businesses. State research leaders cite USC Aiken’s cyber programs, nearby Fort Gordon, Savannah River National Laboratory, and local manufacturing growth as key reasons, promising to fund training and applied research initiatives rather than seek money from the community. 
2. Aiken City Council approves fiscal '26-'27 budget, raising fees but not millage rate (postandcourier.com) — Aiken City Council has approved the 2026-27 budget without raising the property tax millage rate, but residents will see higher stormwater, water, sewer, and solid waste bills. City leaders say the increases will support public safety staffing, park repairs, water system projects like Shaws Creek, new inspection positions, and upgraded software for permitting and asset management.
3. Aiken Weighs Doubling Hospitality Tax To Finance Downtown Parking Deck (kicks99.com) — Aiken City Council is considering doubling the local hospitality tax from 1% to 2% to help finance a $9.5 million parking deck on Newberry Street and other tourism projects. The increase, tied to a development deal to refurbish the Hotel Aiken and nearby properties, could also fund park upgrades, security cameras, sports facilities, and a new visitors center downtown.
4. Two Richland One seniors awarded S.C. State Fair's Ride of Your Life Scholarship (thecolumbiastar.com) — A Richland County senior will be heading to the University of South Carolina Aiken this fall on a $10,000 Ride of Your Life scholarship from the S.C. State Fair. He’ll study business administration while another recipient attends the College of Charleston. The scholarship supports 54 students statewide who maintain strong grades and full-time course loads.
📸 Around Aiken
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Aiken
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Juneteenth →
Saluda Park, 416 S Jefferson St, Saluda
11:00 am
Saturday June 13
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
Development Committee Meeting
Aiken County Government Council Committee Room, Suite 3601, 3rd Floor of Aiken County Go
5:00 pm -
Administrative Committee Meeting
Aiken County Government Council Committee Room, Suite 3601, 3rd Floor of Aiken County Go
5:15 pm -
Work Session
Aiken County Government Council Chambers, 3rd Floor of Center, 1
6:00 pm -
County Council Meeting
Aiken County Government Council Chambers, 3rd Floor of Center, 1
7:00 pm
Tuesday June 16
📣 Aiken Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
-
Kids Fishing Derby →
North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Claypit Lakes Off of Gibson Road & High Camp Road
7:00 am -
Small Business Saturday at Boondock Farms →
Boondock Farms, 755 Foreman St, Jackson
10:00 am -
Open House - Helms College - Augusta - June 13
North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Helms College 3145 Washington Road Augusta, GA 30907
11:00 am -
Ribbon Cutting - Novus Glass Ribbon-cutting/15 year Celebration
North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Novus Glass of Greater Augusta 640 Edgefield Road Belvedere, SC 29841
11:00 am -
50 Year Celebration - Owings & Sam Dentistry
North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Owings & Sam Dentistry 540 West Martintown Road North Augusta, SC 29841
5:00 pm -
Chillin' & Grillin' →
Cold Creek Nurseries, 398 Hitchcock Pkwy, Aiken
10:00 am -
3rd Saturday Food Pantry Drive-Up →
Harrison-Caver Park, 4181 Augusta Rd, Clearwater
12:00 pm -
Cold Creek: Peach Love & Happiness →
Cold Creek Nurseries, 398 Hitchcock Pkwy, Aiken
10:00 am
Saturday June 13
Wednesday June 17
Thursday June 18
Saturday June 20
Saturday July 11
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Aiken PatchAM possible:
- John W. Molony Law Firm, LLC — (843) 762-5732
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- For all of my fellow NJ natives..
I noticed today that Fresh Market is now carrying Taylor Ham for sliceing at the deli counter. And I just started a diet 2 weeks ago! UGH! (Nextdoor Spring Stone) - Please be alert and aware of phone scams.
Someone called me to let me know that a $1900.00 dollars play station from Walmart was charged to me and he wanted to find out what bank that I used… (Nextdoor Cole)
- Premium Retail Services, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Merchandiser in Aiken. Apply here.
- EMCOR Group posted a job opening for PPM Janitor/Utility Cleaner (AOR) 9.2 in Aiken. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Aiken here.
Ok Aiken! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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