Why another Lowe's? Actually, it's a good sign

Many people are wondering why Lowe's would want to build another store. As we all know, there are already stores only minutes away in Seneca, Easley, and Anderson.

The answer is our region is growing steadily in population. In the next 10 to 20 years, South Carolina will grow by more than 1,000,000 people.

For one projection of population growth, see http://www.ors2.state.sc.us/population/census2030.asp. (See also the "Demographic Outlook" of the City of Clemson Comprehensive Plan 2014, available at www.cityofclemson.org.)

Many of the new residents will settle in the Upstate, including Greenville and Clemson. One need only to look at the Patrick Square development on Issaqueena to see what this will look like. (Although they may be slightly ahead of the trend on that project, especially with economic conditions being what they are.)

Lowe's developers know this. Clemson's projected growth is no secret. They have spoken of population growth and expected trends during public meetings directly in answer to the 'why another store' question. With millions of dollars on the line, one can rest assured that they have done their homework. It is only a question of timing.

For the City of Clemson this suggests that City Council does not need to jump at the first development opportunity that comes along. Wal-Mart was not the last big box that wanted to build in Clemson, and neither will Lowe's be the last. The Issaqueena site shows the trend in a nutshell. With the population growth that will inevitably take place, the businesses will still come.

The challenge of future City Council's will not be promoting growth, but managing it.

Actually, this challenge is already here.