Wedding & Event Venue Near Newberry, SC.

It would cost $1,252,798 to equip the entire county's fleet of trucks with new air packs.

NEWBERRY, S.C. — The Newberry County Fire Department is working to upgrade aging gear.

When it comes to fighting fires, minutes matter.

"You've got to make the most critical decision at that moment, it's either a go or a no-go," said Robert Dennis.

Prosperity Fire Chief Robert Dennis and his 300 volunteer firefighters face another daunting challenge: their aging equipment.

Dennis said their self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBA) are 1998 and 2002 editions that are out of compliance due to being unable to get any parts if needed.

Breathing clean air isn't a luxury but a necessity during a fire.

"Most importantly you want it to work whenever you have to go into a house fire or smokey environment," said Dennis.

But replacing them isn't cheap.

Newberry County has 11 fire departments that serve 11 districts. However, they fall under the umbrella of Newberry County for financing and support.

According to Dennis, for the last 15 years, the emergency service director has requested extra money to replace air paks, but it has been removed each time, limiting the fire service on what can be purchased.

The fire department used $37,000 from fundraisers and donations to bring one truck up to compliance. Dennis said they still need eight more paks, 16 cylinders, and 16 more masks.

Dennis said it would cost $1,252,798 to equip the entire county's fleet of trucks with new air packs.

"Are the fundraisers going to equip that? No, by no means," said Dennis.

County Administrator Jeff Shacker tells News 19 they are assessing the condition and cost of equipment to create a capital improvement plan.

"We're at a time now where we need to reevaluate the cost and replacement schedule of all those items," said Shacker.

He adds the county gave the fire department $100,000 in this year's budget and is exploring alternative funding sources.

"We need to look at fees, there are some taxes that are allowed under south carolina law that aren't in place in Newberry County," Shacker.

Shacker expects a plan to be finalized by the end of the year.

Dennis said there are five areas needed for the best fire protection for any County: a fire truck, bunker gear, fresh air, communications, and personnel.

He added that Lacking any of these components means a greater risk of loss of property, injury, or worse, death to a firefighter.

"We need support with finances so that we know when we respond to a call, we have the best of the best equipment," said Dennis. "As I addressed the council, sooner than later."

The Newberry County Fire Department's annual fundraiser is in November.

The plan is based on feedback from 400 residents and 200 survey responses.

NEWBERRY, S.C. — For the first time, Newberry County has released its first economic development strategic plan.

It aims to guide the county as it grows over the next five years, helping create more jobs and businesses.

A stroll down Main Street shows downtown Newberry is open for business.

"We've got an eclectic group of businesses from antique stores to hair studios and salons to retail and art. We've got a good mix for everyone downtown," said lifelong Newberry resident Kristina Long.

Long opened Berry Patch Boutique on Main Street in 2021. She said there's even more potential for growth.

"The opera house has gone a really long way and when people come and see a show, they want to eat and shop and have an entire experience while they're here," said Long. "Creating a wholesome conclusive package when they visit Newberry is important."

That growth is the focus of the county's economic development plan.

"We've been really successful with economic development. There's no reason why we can't be better at it," said Newberry County Economic Development Director Rick Farmer.

The plan outlines five goals:

1. Attracting, retaining, and growing businesses

2. Expanding the talent pipeline

3. Investing in the Community

4. Make Newberry County a Choice Location for Businesses, Citizens, and Visitors

5. Be a Leading Economic Development Organization in South Carolina

"We've been very successful at recruiting industries over the years now we need to find a way to improve the skills of our people so that can compete for those better jobs," said Farmer.

Farmer said the 100-page report is based on input from more than 400 residents and 200 survey responses taken over a year.

"The greatest thing about this plan: it's not my plan; it's not the county administrator's plan; it's the community's plan," said Farmer.

Farmer added that the county misses many opportunities because it has no vacant buildings. However, the report includes a plan to develop new speculative buildings so they will be "prepared when companies come knocking."

The plan also creates a "State of the County" event, which Farmer said will be great for accountability.

"You got to stand up there and say, 'Here's what we did last year and here's where we're going next year.' So it's going to force us to be a lot more communicative with the public," said Farmer.

At Figaro Dining Room, manager Chris Campos said he welcomes more competition.

"Another restaurant or two would be great, 'cause when the opera house comes, we fill up, and I have to tell people no, and I hate doing that," said Campos.

The county council is expected to approve this five-year plan next month.

Farmer said the county has already begun implementing some of the recommendations.

Students can look forward to new dining options, a new nursing facility, and a new dorm on campus.

NEWBERRY, S.C. — Newberry College is gearing up for the start of classes on Monday, and this year the institution is welcoming its largest-ever freshman class. The campus is bustling with new students and their families as they prepare for the academic year ahead.

Nile Holdman, a freshman moving into his new dorm, described his experience, stating, "It's been calm. I’ve met a few nice people."

Nile is among the 589 first-year students who make up the largest freshman class in the history of Newberry College.

"We’re very excited because it's another year of record growth for us at Newberry. We’re growing in all directions at this point,” said Michael Smith, the Associate Dean for First-Year Experience at Newberry College.

RELATED: Newberry Opera House to get $1M makeover

The college has several new developments in the works, said Smith. These include a new dining contract, a nursing building, a field house, and a residence hall, all of which will be introduced in the coming months.

Returning students, like Victoria Noel and Archkela Lane, are also excited about the college's growth. "I’m from here, so it's different to see how the campus is getting bigger, and Newberry is actually getting known for being a really good school," said Lane.

The increase in the student population is having a positive impact on local businesses. Eddie Long, the owner of Genesis Coffee Shop in downtown Newberry, noted an uptick in visitors, saying, "In the last year or two, we’ve definitely seen a big increase of people just coming and hanging out, using the wifi, and getting some coffee to power them through their exams and stuff."

To provide a warm welcome to the new students, the city of Newberry is organizing a welcome weekend downtown, featuring free food and music.

Eddie Long, owner of Genesis Coffee Shop, believes this initiative will greatly benefit local businesses by creating a welcoming environment for newcomers.

"I think that’s going to help a lot of those businesses, that kids aren’t sure where they fit, where they’re welcome, I think that’ll help with that," said Long.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new nursing building is scheduled for August 25th.

Businesses have until Sept. 30 to find a new servicer.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The city of Newberry will no longer pick up trash from commercial businesses.

The news is bringing mixed reactions from business owners as they work to ensure they are not left with piles to deal with on their own. A change in the City of Newberry's trash collection is forcing some businesses, like Whitaker Floor Coverings, to find new services.

"We had three different salesmen in here offering anywhere from a one-year contract to a ten-year contract, to do it matching the price or even better price, so that seems pretty seamless," said Kevin Whitesides, vice president of sales for the business.

After reviewing the offers, Whitesides decided on a 10-year contract that starts August first.

"We felt pretty great to lock in a price for multiple years with everything rising and an increase in the costs of everyday things," Whitesides said.

Director of Public Works Kip Gunter said rising labor, equipment, and drop-off costs forced the city to get out of the commercial sanitation business.

"A truck is about $400,000 and those costs keep rising," Gunter said. "We feel like our customers could be served better by free market."

According to Gunter, the city notified commercial customers by letter last week. Customers have until Sept. 30 to hire a new service. Any company that has not switched by then may have to pay a penalty.

"There will be no customer left behind, so to speak. We will make sure that everything is seamless," Gunter said.

Gunter added that customers have four service providers to choose from.

But business owner Mij Bolyard, who shares a trash bin with eight other businesses, is worried about the changes.

"I think it's a great convenience to the business owners. I think it's really disturbing to think they'll take it out and that we would all be responsible for our own," Bolyard said. "I certainly think there are other viable solutions."

The city will continue providing other services, including residential collection, limb and leaf removal, and special pickups. The city council also recently approved utility rate increases. They include a 5% increase in water and sewer rates and a 4% increase in electricity.

A miles-long stretch of a Midlands road was closed Monday morning after a gas tanker truck flipped over, the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office said.

All lanes of S.C. 202 between Interstate 26 and U.S. 76 were closed after the tanker crash in the Little Mountain area, the sheriff’s office said after 6 a.m.

About a quarter mile area near the crash has been evacuated, according to the sheriff’s office.

No injuries were reported.

The tanker carrying 7,000 gallons of petroleum product was leaking fuel, according to the sheriff’s office.

Information about how much fuel spilled was not available.

At about 8:45 a.m., the sheriff’s office said the leak was contained but several thousands of gallons of fuel remained in the truck.

“Emergency Services are waiting on crews to off load the truck and an environmental clean up company to come clean up (the) spill,” the sheriff’s office said.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area and a daycare facility near the wreck has been closed, the sheriff’s office said.

The road is expected to be closed at least 4 hours, and there was no word about when the scene would be cleared.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

In a breaking news situation, facts can be unclear and the situation may still be developing. The State is trying to get important information to the public as quickly and accurately as possible. This story will be updated as more information becomes available, and some information in this story may change as the facts become clearer. Refresh this page later for more updated information.

This story was originally published May 8, 2023, 8:45 AM.