After several years of rapid growth, the Fort Mill SC School District started the 2008 school year with fewer new students than previously expected. While overall the enrollment numbers were up from the 2007 school year, a 6% growth rate, the enrollment was down from the 10% that had been expected.
From the Rock Hill Herald Online:
School officials say the current drop off in growth might signal a slowdown in the number of newcomers flocking to Fort Mill.
Another indicator of that, officials say, is a sudden drop last month in revenue from impact fees.
Fort Mill is the only district in South Carolina that still charges the fees, which amount to $2,500 per new housing unit. Developers generally pass the cost on to home buyers. The school district uses the money to build new facilities.
In July, Fort Mill received $230,000 in impact fees, an amount similar to what it had received in the previous months. In August, however, the amount dropped sharply, to just $57,500.
In spite of the slowdown in growth, the Fort Mill SC remains a very strong real estate market and as more people flock to the Charlotte NC area, it will continue to be. With SC’s lower taxes and slower pace of life, the Fort Mill SC and Rock Hill SC areas offer new comers to the area a great alternative and as a result, our real estate markets will continue to be active.
