ROCK HILL Rock Hill to support 'Hive' downtown The Herald - Rock Hill, SC: "ROCK HILL -- A project aimed at attracting 'creative class' jobs to downtown Rock Hill won support Monday night from a narrow majority of City Council members.The city will commit $70,000 over two years from an economic development fund to support 'The Hive,' a center that will provide counsel to aspiring small business owners.
Students will come to The Hive to learn how to become independent contractors in web marketing and web design - areas identified as potential niches for a city wrestling with an unemployment rate above 20 percent.It's a way to attract young people and establish Rock Hill as a player in the knowledge-based economy, supporters say.
Opponents took a different view Monday night, arguing the proposal is too big a gamble.
The center, slated to occupy a third floor space in the downtown Citizens building, will be overseen by York Technical College and RevenFlo, a Web-based marketing business located on nearby Caldwell Street.
RevenFlo founder Jason Broadwater is an advocate for downtown revitalization efforts.
'All of the research points to the fact that young people are looking for these kinds of opportunities,' Mayor Doug Echols said during a lengthy debate. 'This is a relatively small investment on a very worthwhile idea.'"......
