News 12 First @ Five, May 20, 2010

WAGENER, S.C. -- Welcome to Wagener, South Carolina. It's a small town of only 863, but this small town is bringing in some big city changes.

"I think Wagener is in it's growing process right now. We're going to see big changes in Wagener over the next year or two," said Tyler Jones who owns the towns first wi-fi coffee shop. The twenty year olds business is one of many new businesses popping up in town. "It's exciting because when I go to Columbia and Aiken and other cities, we see a lot of businesses going but when I come here to Wagener it's such a boom," said Tyler.

More than a half a dozen businesses are looking for people to cash in on their product.

"Usually Friday and Saturday we're pretty busy. But Sunday it's really busy after church," said Mallory Yon of Joey's BBQ. She says they're excited to be a part of the growth in town. "I'm glad to see Wagener growing. I was pleased when they put up the sign, it was amazing to see it."

A new electronic sign in the middle of the town square leads people to the new businesses all over. But Wagener isn't the only small town cashing in on change. Graniteville will see more than $57 million in investments from two new industrial companies moving in. Together that's more than 350 jobs moving to their town alone.

And in Wagener that's the next step, finding a way to bring even more jobs along with all their new business.

"I think we're going to see Wagener grow and change into something else. I'm not sure what that'll be but I know it'll be for the better," said Tyler.