Explosive Growth in the Booming I-85 Corridor of North and South Carolina

I-85 Shows Explosive Growth, Especially in North Carolina and South Carolina

People are apt to say that change is the only thing that stays the same. This certainly holds true for North and South Carolina and the development along the I-85 corridor. Historically, prosperity in the Carolinas was tied to the agricultural and textile industries. Communities, farms, factories, and mills sprung up along the railroad routes, which were used to ship goods. As automobiles and trucks were used more and more for the transportation of goods, some of these communities declined, while others grew. Today, a community’s prosperity and people’s lives are tied to the Interstates as they once were to the railroads. No where is this more evident than along the I-85 corridor, especially in North Carolina and South Carolina.

I-85 stretches from its southern point in Montgomery, Alabama to its northern terminus in Petersburg, Virginia. There are talks in place of extending I-85’s southern boundary past Montgomery to the state’s border with Mississippi. The goal of the extension is to bring much needed economic development to a part of Alabama that has been historically impoverished. Given the massive growth along the rest of the Interstate, this assumption is well grounded. You can learn more about the proposed extension at www.i85extension.com.

The states I-85 runs through have been aggressive in attracting business opportunities, offering tax incentives to plant operators, and helping train workers by offering free training programs.

South Carolina is a leader in attracting business interests from abroad. One of the most famous examples is the large BMW plant which located in the Spartanburg area, and other German company’s like Adidas, BMG Entertainment, and Seeber USA who have followed. Spartanburg County actually has the highest per capita foreign investment in the United States. Foreign corporations are drawn to the low cost of doing business in South Carolina, which also holds true for the other I-85 states of North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama.

I-85 also has access to great airports, with three in North Carolina, one in South Carolina, and Atlanta’s airport, which is one of the busiest in the world. Add to this great air access, the fact that two thirds of the U.S. market sits east of the Mississippi, and you’ve got a recipe for success. There is rapid growth all along the I-85 corridor. Atlanta, Greenville, Spartanburg, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh/Durham and have all seen great development and interest from companies near and wide. I-85 is poised to become the next megalopolis, similar to the urbanized areas following I-95 from Boston, Massachusetts, all the way to Washington D.C.

Quality of life along I-85 is excellent. The cost of living is low, and the enjoyment of life is high. Real estate prices have remained more stable along I-85. All along the route, there is an abundance of available land at affordable prices. Small towns along the route who have been waiting for development are seeing the benefits of living near the Interstate, with new jobs being created in everything from industry to tourism. Now is the time to buy along I-85.

Atlanta is creeping north towards Charlotte, with Spartanburg and Greenville in between, and plenty of great towns to choose from. One of our favorite areas is Greenville and Spartanburg in South Carolina. You have excellent access to the mountains of North Carolina, the beaches of South Carolina, and great cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia, and Asheville. Combine this with a wide choice of colleges, and good public schools and you have a place to call home.

If all this development and growth reeks of sprawl to you, and that’s one of your hated four letter words, there are plenty of very affordable small towns within 50 miles of the interstate. These are sure to retain much of their charm, even as growth continues. Living there will allow residents to enjoy a slower pace of life, while still enjoying the advantages of access to a major thoroughfare. No matter what your lifestyle preference, there are affordable, exciting and prosperous towns all along I-85, and it will continue to affect the areas in proximity to it in the future.

About the Author

Bob  Bencivenga is a professional site locator and location anyalyst for major corporations and been researching the growth of NC and SC to find those areas which are affordable. Visit his blog-The Carolina Report and signup free to  get blog updates by email, along with free advice on how to relocate or retire in the Carolinas, additional resources, and a lot more!  Go now to www.placesofvalue.com.  Bob does not sell real estate.

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