Original painting by Gene Brigman.
GOVERNMENT
Personnel
Building and Zoning Department
David Brown Realty
412 South Congress Street
Winnsboro SC 29180
803.815.0627
Debbie Lewis Realtors
108 South Congress Street
Winnsboro SC 29180
803.635.2200
debbielewisrealtors.com
Realty Associates
322 South Congress Street
Winnsboro SC 29180
803.635.6427
realtyassociateshomes.com
United Country Real Estate Company
Sean Schaeffner
116 South Congress Street
Winnsboro SC 29180
803.635.2114 or 888.916.3655
carolinarealestatecompany.com
info@carolinarealestatecompany.com
LIVING HERE
Unless otherwise noted, information was obtained from the Central South Carolina Alliance Fairfield County Executive Summary 2009.
Welcome to your one-stop guide to Winnsboro, South Carolina! We hope this information helps you get acquainted with your new home. You may scroll through the page to browse, or, click the links below to skip ahead to the information you need.
Airport: Fairfield County Airport (pictured right) is located four miles south of Winnsboro on S.C. 269, offering one paved 5,000 foot runway and parallel taxiway, jet and 100 low-lead fuel, terminal building, t-hangars, rental cars, seven rental airplanes and flight instruction. The pilots’ shop stocks supplies and maintenance.
Age: The median age in Winnsboro is 38.9. Nationally, the median age is 37.6.
Auditor for Fairfield County: Peggy G. Hensley, 101 South Congress Street, Post Office Box 88, Winnsboro, South Carolina, 29180 or 803.712.6524 or click here
Automobile Registration: If you move to South Carolina from another state and establish a permanent residence, any vehicles you own must be registered in our state. You have 45 days to transfer your out-of-state vehicle title and registration to South Carolina. For more information, including the form to apply for the title and registration by mail, visit scdmvonline.com or visit the Winnsboro South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles at 1161 Kincaid Bridge Road, Winnsboro, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or call 803.635.6291. (Source: scdmvonline.com)
Battle of the Sexes: Women make up 55.4 percent of Winnsboro's population. (Source: quickfacts.census.gov)
Cable TV: TruVista and DirecTV
Climate: Fairfield County enjoys four distinct seasons. It is cool in the spring and fall, warm in the summer and cold, but not too cold, in the winter. You don’t have to worry about digging your car out of the snow here! For the past 40 years Winnsboro has received two inches of snow each year on average. Total precipitation averages about 45 to 50 inches per year. The average temperatures for the town of Winnsboro are: January, high 52 low 31; April, high
74 low 48; July, the warmest month in Winnsboro, high 91 low 71 and October, high 74 low 49.
Cost of Living: Winnsboro costs 23 percent to live in than the national average. (Source: bestplaces.net)
County: Fairfield County is located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. It is uniquely positioned halfway between New York and Miami. The total area of the county is 687 square miles. The county seat, which is the Town of Winnsboro, is less than one hour’s drive from the Douglas International Airport and upscale shopping offered in Charlotte, North Carolina, and less than one half hour’s drive to South Carolina’s capitol city of Columbia and the State’s flagship University, the University of South Carolina. Fairfield County has the very unique advantage of being located within close proximity to urban areas and their amenities, while offering all of the benefits of a rural county. With a total area of 687 square miles, two recreational lakes encompassing more than 20,700 acres, 11,080 acres of the Sumter National Forest and small town charm with historical significance during the Revolutionary War, WInnsboro allows for a relaxing pace of life with the hustle and bustle of larger metropolitan areas close at hand.
County Council: For a list of county council members, council meeting information, list of council committees, agendas and minutes and calendar, please click here.
Dining: Winnsboro is home to a variety of dining establishments including: Barn Express, Blimpies, Hoot's, Red Coats and Rascals, Speedee Wok, Boone's Barn, Bi-Lo Deli, Captain's Galley, China Wok, Kentuck Fried Chicken, McDonald's, News and Herald Tavern, Pizza Hut, Sammie Joe's Pizza, Sonic Drive-In, Subway, Tierra Azul Mexican Restaurant, Wendy's and more. For additional information, visit or dining page.
Driver's License: If you come into South Carolina from another state and establish a permanent residence, you must apply for a South Carolina driver license. If you have a valid driver’s license issued by the state from which you moved, you can use it for 90 days, after which time you must surrender it and obtain a South Carolina driver license. Military Personnel (and their dependents) and students temporarily in South Carolina are not required to obtain a South Carolina Driver's license. However, you must have a driver's license from your home state to operate in South Carolina. For more information, visit scdmvonline.com or visit the Winnsboro South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles at 1161 Kincaid Bridge Road, Winnsboro, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or call 803.635.6291. (Source: scdmvonline.com)
Educational Attainment: 18.8 percent of Winnsboro's population has a bachelor's degree or higher. Nationwide, the figure is 20 percent. (Source: quickfacts.census.gov)
Electricity: South Carolina Electric and Gas, Fairfield Electric Cooperative, Town of Winnsboro (803.635.4041)
Employment: Major employers are V.C. Summer Nuclear Station, Fairfield County School District, Ben Arnold Beverage Company, Fairfield County Government, Performance Fibers, Isola, Lang Mekra, Guardian Fiberglass, Elite Electronic Systems (Source: Fairfield Economic Development)
Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 16.50%. (Source: bestplaces.net)
Family Life: Families make up about 65 percent of the households in Fairfield County. (Source: American Community Survey 2005-2007)
Festivals and Events: Fairfield’s most popular festival is the annual Rock Around the Clock. A
variety of bands and entertainers "rock” around the oldest continuously running clock in the nation, built 1833 in historic downtown Winnsboro. The event is usually held either the last weekend in September or the first weekend in October. The festival kicks off with a patriotic parade on Friday evening, followed by a street dance. Classic cars and motorcycles from all over the southeast cruise into the central business district, listed in the National Historic Register, to show off their rides. Runners enjoy the challenging 5K run course and children take much pleasure in various amusements, including train rides and a climbing wall.
During Christmas children and adults alike flock to the South Carolina Railroad Museum for the annual Train Ride with Santa. Families can take a hour long trip on an historic train with Santa. The rides are open every Saturday between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Garbage and Recycling: Fairfield County has 10 recycling centers. Centers are open Monday through Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., closed Wednesdays. For a complete list of convience centers, click here.
Winnsboro Streets and Sanitation, 207 North Congress Street, Winnsboro, South Carolina, 29180, 803.635.4041
Gas Suppliers: Town of Winnsboro (803.635.4041)
Government: Fairfield County is governed by a council/administrative format. The council consists of seven members elected through a single member method. Term length for a council seat is four years. Fairfield county belongs to the Central Midland Council of Governments. For a list of county council members, council meeting information, list of council committees, agendas and minutes and calendar, please click here. For a list of town council members, please visit our government page.
Higher Education: There are no institutions of higher education in Fairfield County, but just a short thirty minute drive away are several colleges and universities in the Columbia area. The state’s flagship university, the University of South Carolina is located in the heart of downtown Columbia. There are nine colleges and universities in the Columbia area including the University
of South Carolina, Midlands Technical College, Allen University, Benedict College, Columbia College, Columbia International University, Columbia Junior College and Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. Also located close by are the Central Carolina Technical College in Sumter and Newberry College in Newberry.
History: Located in the upper Piedmont region of South Carolina, Fairfield County, with its rolling hills and fertile valleys, is well-known for its picturesque scenery. The county is also known for its pines, ponds and pastures and as a place for people to enjoy living in a serene country atmosphere. The county is steeped in history and populated by people proud of their heritage. Fairfield County has over 100 historical buildings, churches and homes, and scattered throughout the picturesque county are monuments and memories that speak of the unique traditions and culture of the area and the Upcountry.
Situated between the Broad River on the west and the Wateree River (now Lake Wateree) on the east, the area was hunting ground for several Native American tribes. Arrowheads and pieces of Native American pottery can still be found on the banks of these bodies of water.
Several years before the Revolution, Richard Winn from Virginia moved to what is now called Fairfield County. His lands covered the present site of Winnsboro, and was known as "Wynnsborough." The village was laid out and chartered in 1785 upon petition of General Richard Winn, Colonel John Winn and John Vanderhorst, who all served in the Revolutionary War.
The name of the town was changed to "Winnsboro" and incorporated in 1832. The first settler to come to the area was Thomas Nightingale. His love of horses drew him in 1740 to a "cow-pen" establishment about five miles from where a town began. Other settlers came in the middle of the 18th century. These were primarily Scotch-Irish -- a proud, religious people with a strong belief in education -- but also included Germans, English and Huguenots. "Winnsborough," settled on land owned by the Winn family, had about 20 houses when it was occupied during the Revolutionary War by British soldiers under Lord Cornwallis. The British camped in the town from October 1780 to January 1781. Richard Winn, John Winn and John Vanderhorst led "Winnsborough" to be chartered in 1785 and made the seat of justice for the Fairfield District.
An early cultural impetus for the growth of Winnsboro was the founding of the Mt. Zion Society in Charleston in 1777. Several well-known Charlestonians joined with Winnsboro's founding fathers to set up a preparatory school in this healthy upland environment. The establishment allowed not only the sons of wealthy low-country families to prepare for furthering their educations at the College of South Carolina, Harvard and other early universities, but also for the schooling of the "up-country" children. By the early 1800s, Mt. Zion College had attracted the sons of many notable South Carolinians who would become leaders across many fields in our young nation and state.
By the time Eli Whitney’s cotton gin was patented in 1794, Fairfield County was well on the way to becoming one of the biggest producers of upland cotton in the state. In 1830 Richard Cathcart built an imposing townhouse (pictured right) in Winnsboro to enjoy the amenities of the bustling town life away from his country cotton plantation.
In 1848, then well-known educator Catherine Ladd and her artist husband purchased the Richard Cathcart home and set up a boarding school for the education of young ladies. The Winnsboro Female Institute would become a counterpart to Mt. Zion College, and girls from many places came to learn both the cultural and academic masteries necessary to develop ladies of social standing.
The old Winnsboro Female Institute building on Congress Street was converted to a house after many decades of commercial operations. It emerged again as an educational establishment in 1976 when it was restored and converted to the Fairfield County Museum. This three-story 1830 townhouse is listed on the National Historic Registry as a late example of Federal style architecture. The 18 inch walls are made of locally fired bricks laid in Flemish bond and the large square building is three stories high. The ornate wood and plaster work of the interior were beautifully restored in the 1970s through the efforts of local preservationists.
South Carolina's General Assembly authorized Winnsboro's town fathers to build a market house that "shall not be of greater width than 30 feet" to allow 30 feet of wagon travel on either side. The narrow building was modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia and built on the site of a duck pond. A clock was added in 1837, and the building has since been known as the Town Clock. Residents boast the clock is the longest continuously running clock in the United States.
The County Courthouse, across from the Town Clock, has watched Winnsboro's daily activities since 1823. Designed by South Carolina architect Robert Mills, the courthouse houses records dating as far back as the middle 1700s.
Fairfield County has numerous churches, some of which have been in existence for over 200 years. Perhaps the most famous church, built in 1788, is the Old Brick Church, where the Synod of the Carolina for the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized in 1803. A note penciled on the wall of the Old Brick Church is testimony to a Union soldier's regret at the church's floor boards being taken up to build a crossing over the nearby river for General Sherman's troops.
The early settlers in the mid-1700s brought cotton to the County, and it remained the main crop until depletion of the soil and boll weevil called the industry to a halt in the 1920s. Granite deposits in the County led to the early development of quarrying. Winnsboro blue granite, "The Silk of the Trade," is used worldwide in buildings and monuments. The excellent hunting and fishing that the Native Americans enjoyed still exist today. Fairfield County, with an abundance of deer and wild turkeys, is a focal point for sportsmen.
Industry has been a part of Fairfield County life since a cotton mill was put in to operation in the late 1800s in the southern area of Winnsboro. The mill became a part of US Rubber Company and is now owned by Performance Fibers Group. The recent location of other industries such as Hacker Instruments, Elite ES, Ruff&Tuff Electric Vehicles and Guardian Fiberglass in the Winnsboro area have further stimulated the local economy. Additionally, in order to facilitate economic growth in the County, a number of years ago the Fairfield County Council had the foresight to purchase property near I-77 for industrial development. That property, now known as the Walter B. Brown I and Walter B. Brown II Industrial Parks, is home to world class industries such as Lang Mekra, Isola USA and Prime Metal Coatings.
Hospital: Since 1955 Fairfield Memorial Hospital (FMH) has been provided the people of Fairfield County with modern medical services and the caring touch that comes from trusted neighbors and friends. Centrally located in Winnsboro, FMH is a full-service, county-owned hospital offering inpatient, respite, emergency and surgical care. The hospital also provides outpatient services which include MRIs, multi-slice spiral CT scanners, ultrasounds, mammography, nuclear medicine, cardiac rehab services and physical/occupational/speech therapies. Also provided are home health care with community outreach and education. The hospital offers dietetic counseling through its Diabetes Education Center. A group of cardiologists from Columbia (Columbia Heart) offer cardiology clinics on Tuesdays and Fridays. Other outpatient clinics available include: oncology, podiatry, an ear/nose/throat clinic and outpatient surgery. Compassionate care from the skilled hands of professionals using state-of-the-art technology is the hallmark of FMH. FMH has the ability to serve its citizens with the most up-to-date care possible but small enough to create a relationship with each of their patients. FMH’s motto is "Modern Medicine. Old-Fashioned Care."
Housing: There are plenty of housing options for those in Fairfield County -- from apartment living to a brand new house in a subdivision, from a 150-year-old home in historic Winnsboro to a farm house on hundreds of acres just outside of town. Contact any of the many real
estate agents in the area for more information about specific homes and neighborhoods.
The median home cost in Winnsboro is $87,430 compared to the national average of $202,300. (Source: bestplaces.net)
The homeownership rate in Fairfield County is 75 percent. Nationally, 67 percent of the population owns a home. (Source: American Community Survey 2005-2007)
Income: The median income of households in Fairfield County is $33,129. (Source: American Community Survey 2005-2007)
Interstates: I-77 ( 9 interchanges) with with access to I-26 in 25 miles, I-20 in 16 miles and I-95 in 83 miles
Library: A brief application must be submitted at the Fairfield County Library to obtain a library card, and you will need some type of identification. Children under 12 must have a parent or guardian present to sign the application form. There is no charge for the library card, but if the card is lost or destroyed there is a $1.00 replacement fee.
Newpapers and Magazines (includes web-only publications): Published daily, The State is the largest newspaper and covers the entire state of South Carolina. Fairfield County’s newspaper is The Herald Independent, published every other day. The South Carolina Black News covers news, sports and entertainment of particular interest to black readers. Carolina Arts, based in Berkeley County, offers visual arts coverage of North and South Carolina. Carolina Living is an online publication geared toward people considering retirement or relocation in the Carolinas. Jolie Magazine is a fashion publication produced by The State. The Latino offers statewide coverage of Latino issues. Millennium Magazine has entertainment and community news targeted toward the black community. Q Notes is based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and covers gay and lesbian issues in North and South Carolina. Sandlapper Magazine has been covering South Carolina since 1968. SCIway is an online resource for information about South Carolina. Vida Latina is a Spanish-language entertainment paper distributed throughout the Carolinas and Georgia.
Phone and Internet: BellSouth, Verizon, TruVista
Places to Visit: Winnsboro is full of places to visit including Camp Welfare, Carolina Adventure World, Fairfield County Courthouse, Fairfield County Museum, Fortune Springs Park, Pine Tree Playhouse, South Carolina Railroad Museum, Town Clock and more. Please click here to view our attractions page for more details about these exciting destinations.
Police and Fire: Fairfield County Sheriff’s Department has 46 officers, 48 patrol cars
and 52 total personnel. Winnsboro Town Police Department has 25 officers, 27 patrol cars and 29 total personnel. Fairfield County Fire Department has 153 firefighters, 13 fire stations and 30 fire trucks.
Population: As of 2009, Winnsboro's population is 3,564 people. Since 2000, it has had a population growth of 1.33 percent. (Source: bestplaces.net)
Ports & Rail: The Port of Charleston is 138 miles from Fairfield County. The county’s rail system is served by Norfolk Southern.
Primary and Secondary Education: The School District of Fairfield County has ten public schools: one early childhood school, four elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, one career center and one learning center. In addition to its traditional educational programs, the district offers both a learning and career center for the students of Fairfield County. The Learning Center is an alternative program that gives students facing expulsion a chance to change. The Learning Center is considered the model for programs like this around the state. The Fairfield County Career Center offers many areas of vocational training and boasts nationally certified welding and electricity programs. The health occupations class and the graphics department routinely win awards and all departments at the school have had students place in regional and state competitions. The Career Center also has a highly successful school-to-work program for students. The district also has a summer enrichment program, during which media centers and computer labs are open for students.
Fairfield County has four private schools: the Richard Winn Academy (RWA), The Children's Center, Christian Liberty Classical and The Palmetto Montessori School. RWA offers kindergarten for three, four and five year olds. A daycare center on the campus is available for students from noon to 6:00 p.m. The school is divided into a lower school for grades 1 through 5 and an upper school for grades 6 through 12. The curriculum is focused on academics and, for older students, preparation for college. The Palmetto Montessori School opened in November 1999. The school provides after school care and instruction using the Montessori method of
teaching for children 18 months to 12 years of age. Class sizes range from five to 25 with a very low teacher-to-student ratio. Core curricula includes reading and math along with instruction in geography, science, art, music, literature and culture.
Winnsboro public schools spend $7,826 per student. The average school expenditure in the U.S. is $6,058. There are about 14 students per teacher in Winnsboro. (Source: bestplaces.net)
Radio: There are 12 radio stations within close listening range to Winnsboro: WNSC 88.9 FM (Jazz), WMHK 89.7 FM (Christian Contemporary), WRBK 90.3 FM (Oldies), WLTR 91.3 FM (Public Radio), WWNU 92.1 FM (Country), WIGL 93.9 FM (Spanish), WCOS 97.5 FM (Country), WWDM 101.3 FM (Urban Contemporary), WNOK 104.7 FM (Top 40), WTCB 106.7 FM (Adult Contemporary), WVOC 560 AM (News/Talk) and WBAJ 890 AM (Religious). (Source: radio-locator.com)
Recreation: Two lakes in Fairfield County offer recreation to the residents of the county.
Lake Monticello is a 7,000 acre lake that offers picnic shelters, fishing, a boat ramp and many other water recreational activities. The Fairfield Recreation Commission also operates a park at the lake. There is also a smaller area, the Monticello Recreation Lake, which is located north of the large body of water and is about 300 acres in size. This park area offers fishing two days a week (Wednesdays and Saturdays), swimming (no lifeguard on duty) and picnic facilities. The park gates open from sunrise to sunset. Located in the park is the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station Nature Trail. Benches, wood duck boxes, blue bird boxes and plant identification markers dot this 1.5 mile long trail.
The other and largest lake in Fairfield County is Lake Wateree, which is one of South Carolina’s premier fishing and boating destinations. Located on Desportes Island, Lake Wateree has a tackle shop and park
store with refueling dock and public boat ramp that can meet the needs
of most any fisherman or boater. The lake is truly a fishermen’s delight with significant populations of crappie, bream, largemouth bass, catfish and striped bass. Lake Wateree hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year. The park does not lack in camping space either with 72 sites, including many that accommodate large RVs and all with water and electrical service. These sites go quickly in the summer months, so visitors should plan ahead. Visitors at Lake Wateree can also enjoy the picnic tables, playground and the mile-long nature trail that runs through the peaceful woods.
Located in the Northwestern corner of Fairfield County is 11,080 acres of The Sumter National Forest. This forest stretches over 253,381 acres of the state and connects with trial and forests in both Georgia and North Carolina. The forest is a mecca for both hikes, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike. There are so many things to do in this forest one could probably stay there for an entire year and still not have seen and done all there is to do. Some activities include: bird watching, canoeing, fishing, hunting, rafting, target shooting, camping, picnicking, hiking and The Chattooga National Wild & Scenic River.
The Fairfield County Recreation Commission along with the Town of Winnsboro offers a variety of public recreation facilities and programs for the residents of the area. Two tennis courts, two swimming pools, a ball fi eld, and a gymnasium are utilized within the town limits for recreation. A 14,000 square foot county recreation center is located north of the town limits and contains a full size gym and 3 multi-purpose rooms. Three lighted and fenced tennis courts are also available. A variety of programs are available for all ages. Leagues and tournaments are offered in baseball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, softball, and football. Classes are offered in ballet and gymnastics.
Red vs. Blue: 61.09% of the people in Winnsboro, SC are registered as Democrats. 37.42% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 1.48%. (Source: bestplaces.net)
Religion: Religion is an important part of life in Fairfield County. The county is home to 29 Protestant churches and two Roman Catholic churches. The nearest Synagogue is 26 miles away.
Retirement Living: Small Town Retirement Living Has Advantages! Your 55+ housing options should include a look at the advantages of living in today's small towns can bring. Small towns are no longer disadvantaged relative to those with better access to information. What has changed that is the internet, e-mail, UPS, fax, internet phone services like Vonage and more every day. These days small towns have better shopping opportunities, a wider variety of restaurants and cultural activities. Plus quite a number of active adult communities and also non age restricted communities are enticing the move to smaller towns in America. Here are some more things smaller town communities can offer:
- reduce cost of living
- become part of a community
- better quality of life
- less traffic
- slower pace
- enjoy nature
- a good alternative to big retirement enclaves
- live in a mixed age population
- escape the hubbub of urban and suburban life
- respite from the rat race
- get away from it all
- move away from the hustle and bustle
- convenience
- historic homes
- literally move to "greener pastures"
- live in a beautiful area
- have some land
- less smog
- less congestion
- fewer crimes
- less expensive home prices
- enjoy hunting, fishing and softball as you did growing up
- enjoy gardening again
(Source: smalltownretirement.com)
Shopping: There is great downtown shopping in Winnsboro. While strolling through the historic downtown district, you’ll find an eclectic bookstore, an artist’s studio and shop, a gift shop in the bottom of the clock tower that sells one of a kind purses and other great gifts as well as many other unique stores that offer one of a kind items. For specific shopping locations, please click here to view our merchants page.
South Carolina Department of Revenue: The South Carolina Department of Revenue administers 32 taxes, collecting more than $6.1billion annually. Their mission is to administer the tax laws of the state and to collect taxes in a manner that ensures public confidence in our integrity, effectiveness and fairness.
South Carolina State Government: The official Web site of the state of South Carolina offers links to state agencies, services such as driver's license renewal and fishing license application, the latest environmental advisories and more.
South Carolina State Representative: To reach South Carolina State Representative (House District 41) H. Boyd Brown, call 803.718.2992 or 803.815.0716 or 803.212.6789.
South Carolina State Senator: To reach South Carolina State Senator (Senate District 17) Creighton B. Coleman, call 803.635.6884 or 803.212.6180.
Taxes: The sales tax rate is 5.00%. Income tax is 6.00%. The property tax is $5.26 compared to the United States average of $13.28. (Source: bestplaces.net)
Television: WIS TV 10 (NBC) is Columbia’s dominant news station, covering an 11-county area centered on the Midlands. WLTX TV 19 (CBS) was founded in 1953, and is now owned by Gannett Television, which has 21 television stations throughout the country. WOLO TV 25 (ABC) was founded in 1953, and is Columbia’s oldest television station. WRLK TV 35 (PBS) has national PBS programming along with locally produced programs, including State House coverage. WACH TV 57 (FOX) produces its news in-house and broadcasts an hour starting at 10 p.m. WKTC TV 63 (MyNetwork TV) is locally owned, but mostly syndicated.
Town Council: For a list of town council members, please visit our government page.
Treasurer for Fairfield County: 100 South Congress Street, Winnsboro, South Carolina, 29180 or 803.712.6517
U.S. House Members: South Carolina’s role in the U.S. House was elevated when Democrats took control of the House in 2006. John Spratt of the Upstate became chairman of the Budget Committee. To reach U.S. House Representative District 5 John McKee Spratt (D) call 803.773.3362 or 202.225.5501.
U.S. Senators: South Carolina’s representation in Congress has changed a lot in recent years. In 2004, Republican Jim DeMint defeated Democrat Inez Tenenbaum, the then-state education superintendent, to claim the seat of former Democratic Senator Ernest Hollings. And in 2002, Republican Lindsey Graham defeated Democrat Alex Sanders to win the late Senator Strom Thurmond’s seat. DeMint is up for re-election in 2010. Graham was re-elected in 2008. To reach Senator Lindsey Graham (R) call 803.933.0112 or 202.224.5972 . To reach Senator Jim DeMint (R) call 803.771.6112 or 202.224.6121.
Voter Registration: Fairfield County Board of Voter Registration, 117 East Washington Street, Post Office Drawer 60, Winnsboro, South Carolina, 29180, 803.635.6255 or voterreg@fairfieldsc.com or scvotes.org
Water and Sewer Providers: Town of Winnsboro (803.635.4121), Mid-County Water Company (803.635.5232)
Worker Training: In a recent issue, Expansion Management Magazine listed South Carolina as number one on its annual ranking for the top 15 states for workforce training. The reason behind the number one ranking is the Ready SC program. More recently in an issue of The Manufacturer, SC’s Ready SC program was featured as one of the best state training programs in the US. Created in 1961, Ready SC is one of the longest running and most experienced worker training programs in the nation. Ready SC focuses on the training needs of new and existing business and industry in South Carolina. They provide recruiting, assessment, training development, management and implementation services to customers who are creating new jobs with competitive wages and benefits. These services are provided through state funds at little or no cost to the company. From 1994 to 2003 ReadySC has trained 398 workers at companies in Fairfield County including: Isola USA, Lang-Mekra North America, JPM, Gividi Italia S.P.A., UniRoyal, Fuji, Werner Makat.