News Summary
The Spartanburg mayoral election is centered around growth and economic development, with Mayor Jerome Rice seeking re-election against challenger James Jones. Rice emphasizes recent economic progress, including major projects like Fifth Third Park and Project Core. In the District 4 race, incumbent Jamie Fulmer faces Dawn Maddux, who advocates for careful growth management. As Spartanburg experiences economic expansion, both candidates stress the importance of public safety and community welfare, ensuring the city’s charm remains intact amid development.
Spartanburg – The upcoming mayoral election is shaping the discussion around growth and economic development, with these themes taking center stage in the recent Republican Primary for the County Council District 4 seat, as well as in the mayoral race where current Mayor Jerome Rice seeks a second term against challenger James Jones.
Mayor Jerome Rice emphasizes that under his leadership, Spartanburg has seen considerable economic progress. He highlights significant projects like the construction of Fifth Third Park, which is set to host the inaugural season of the Hub City Spartanburgers Minor League baseball team in the spring of 2025. Rice also points to Project Core, a large public-private investment initiative that aims to include a baseball stadium, hotel, office building, and apartments, as a vital opportunity for Spartanburg’s future.
According to Rice, Spartanburg is experiencing a time of growth. He believes the economy is stronger now than ever, and families in the community have more opportunities. However, his opponent, James Jones, a local attorney, has a different perspective. Jones has criticized Rice for allegedly being too close to developers and prioritizing their interests over those of the community. He asserts that there is a “balance of power problem” in city governance, declaring himself “unbossed and unbought,” and stressing his commitment to responding directly to the constituents of Spartanburg.
Both candidates acknowledge the importance of investing in public safety and the welfare of young people within the community. James Jones is currently a member of the Spartanburg School District 7 school board, while Jerome Rice serves as a student transition coordinator for the same district.
In the race for District 4, Jamie Fulmer, a businessman, is seeking a third term in the council against Dawn Maddux, a community health nurse who is cautious about rapid growth. Maddux expresses concern that growth, if not properly managed, could lead to challenges similar to those faced by her original hometown of Nashville, which suffered from issues related to poor planning and excessive tourism. She aims to help maintain Spartanburg’s community charm as the city expands.
On the opposite side, Fulmer is optimistic about Spartanburg’s trajectory, supporting Project Core and other developments as pathways to beneficial growth. He advocates for responsible development, emphasizing the need for the city to avoid mistakes made by larger cities like Nashville or Greenville and valuing the collaborative spirit that has contributed to recent successes.
The competitive atmosphere is not limited to the mayoral and District 4 races. In City Council District 2, there are four candidates vying to fill the unexpired term of Rob Rain. Meanwhile, Janie Salley is running unopposed in District 5, and Erica Brown is similarly unopposed for reelection in District 6. The City Commission of Public Works, which oversees the water system for Spartanburg, also bears a competitive edge with three candidates seeking to secure roles within this commission.
Economic development has seen a notable uptick in Spartanburg, with 23 projects attracting a combined investment of $745 million in 2024, translating to 1,220 new jobs. This data was provided by the local economic development organization. The president of the organization remarked on Spartanburg’s impressive performance despite economic uncertainties, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to create opportunities within the community.
Local economic development leaders are focusing on fostering high-paying jobs in sectors considered vital for future growth, such as advanced manufacturing, bioscience, and healthcare. The presence of local colleges and universities is believed to provide a critical foundation for forming a skilled labor force that can meet the needs of burgeoning businesses.
As Spartanburg positions itself to diversify its economy, the community is also looking to become a prominent destination for sporting events, a move expected to heighten community engagement and visibility in the wider region. With these themes at the forefront, both the mayoral race and council district elections continue to pivot around economic development and the future of Spartanburg.
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Additional Resources
- Go Upstate: Spartanburg County Council Primary & City Races
- Wikipedia: Economic Development
- Upstate Business Journal: Spartanburg County Economic Development
- Google Search: Spartanburg Economic Development
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg County Leaders & Jobs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Local Government
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
