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RICH IN QUALITY OF LIFE

Downtown Chapin is reminiscent of a quiet, quaint southern town. However, the area is actually one of South Carolina's fastest growing communities, with one of the state's highest income per capita, due to a strong local economy. Chapin is the commercial hub for northern Lake Murray and is known as the "Capital of Lake Murray."

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Steady Growth Top
In the past decade, Chapin has been steadily growing. There was a 39% increase in population in the 1980's and a 45% increase in the next decade, bringing the current total population to over 40,000 residents in a 10-mile radius of Chapin. This figure is expected to grow another 45% by 2010.
Collins Daylilies is a among the town's small business successes.
Community of Character Top
As a state-recognized "Community of Character," the town is rich in southern hospitality, community spirit, and a family-oriented lifestyle. There are many new homes and subdivisions currently under construction along Chapin's scenic roads. Chapin's historic town center includes many new commercial buildings and new street renovations with landscaping. Citizens enjoy a more rural lifestyle, yet have convenient access to Interstate 26, and activities in Columbia.
Chapin maintains the charm of a small southern town even though there are many businesses and over 40,000 residents within a 10 mile radius.
GIS Top
GIS chose Chapin for its corporate headquarters. The company's owners found Chapin a great place to live and work, with a qualified, educated workforce and several site locations from which to choose.
Pro-Business Environment Top
PRO-BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Town officials and the Chapin Chamber of Commerce work with a statewide network of economic development professionals to help companies with county tax incentives, financial assistance, and necessary permitting. Businesses within Chapin are supported by services including electricity, data cable, telephone cable, cable television, water and sewer. Some of the larger companies located in Chapin include Ellett Brothers, F.B. Johnston Company, PM Systems Corp. and General Information Services (GIS).
FB Johnston Group recently made a $2 million investment at their Chapin facility, adding a Thieme 5-color in-line press - among the first of its kind in the U.S.
Points of Interest Top
Points OF Interest

  • Lake Murray, a 55,000 acre lake with 540 miles of shoreline.
  • Beaufort Street, the historic Chapin town center, home to retail stores and offices.
  • Other shopping. See membership page under
  • Two Golf Courses: (Member page under Golf)
    • Timberlake Golf Course, a picturesque course that winds around several lake coves.
    • Mid Carolina Club located within 6 miles of Chapin, right off of I-26.
  • Crooked Creek Park, a recreation and community center that features on-going classes, racquetball, aerobics, weight training, indoor jogging, nature trails, disc golf, playgrounds, picnic shelters, soccer fields, baseball fields, and tennis courts. (Member page under Fitness Centers)
  • Daly Planet, a facility for Community Performing Groups, host several multicultural ensembles and offers a venue for business seminars, receptions, dances, concerts, dinner theaters and other large events. (member page under /Theater Facilities)
Students at Lake Murray Elementary School are challenged by a top-notch curriculum; Lake Murray Elementary is one of four nationally recognized Blue Ribbon Schools in Chapin.
  • Chapin Town Theater, offering new performances regularly.
  • Chapin Labor Day parade & Festival
  • Dreher Island State Park, one of the state's most scenic state parks, known for lakeside fishing and camping.
  • Chapin Library (Member list under Bookstores/Library)
  • Local Historic Churches, several denominations.
  • Chapin's Blue Ribbon Schools
  • Medical Facilities, Lexington Medical Center, Doctor's Offices, Assisted & Independent Living.
  • Day Care and Pre-school, offered by most of the churches and several private facilities.
  • National Fishing Tournaments
Top

Chapin is located at Exit 91 on I-26, a main artery between Greenville-Spartanburg, Columbia and Charleston.  Land next to the Interstate is strategically zoned to accommodate Interstate Commercial and Industrial development.  The Chapin exit is 25 minutes from downtown Columbia, the state's capital.  Chapin is located within a 1.5 hour drive of Charlotte, Augusta and Greenville-Spartanburg.  It's a 2 hour drive to the Charleston Beaches and the Asheville mountains, and 2.5 hours to Myrtle Beach.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For assistance in locating your business in Chapin, please contact the Town Zoning Administrator at Town Hall 803-345-2444 or the Director of the Chapin Chamber of Commerce 803-345-1100.
Newcomers Top
Welcome to Chapin and the Surrounding Area! We wish you many years of happiness and prosperity as our new neighbors. In order to facilitate your move here, we thought it would be helpful to provide some of the following information for you.
Airport Top
Chapin is served by the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, just 22 miles east on I-26, take Exit 113. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport has about 114 arrivals and departures daily. It is served by COMAIR, Continental, Delta, Midway Corporate, United Express, U.S. Airways, U.S. Airways Express, ASA and ACJet.
Automobile Tags Top
To obtain license plates, take your title or current registration to the county’s auditor’s office to get your tax rate. Take this to the county treasurer’s office and pay the tax. Then present a copy of your tax receipt, current registration and title, and insurance information to any branch office of the South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
Beverages Top
Sales of alcoholic beverages are prohibited on Sundays. 
Business Licenses Top
Licenses are required to do business within the corporate limits of the Town of Chapin. Apply for an annual business license at the Chapin Town Hall, 103 Columbia Avenue, or request that an application be mailed to you. Call (803)345-2444. In the unincorporated areas of Lexington and Richland counties, business licenses are not required. However, a license is required for businesses physically located outside of the town limits but doing business within the town. 
Cable & Satellite Service Top

Cable television service for Chapin is provided by Time-Warner Cable. Call (803)252-2253 or 1-800-245-7827. Company provides 24-hour customer service. Channel 2 is Chapin’s Public Bulletin Board Channel. Public Service messages may be submitted to the Town Hall for posting on the message channel. Town Hall is at 103 Columbia Avenue.

 

Satellite service is available in the area but check the covenant in your community for restrictions on dish installments.
Driver's License Top
New residents have 90 days to obtain a driver’s license. Written exams are not required if you have a valid driver’s license from your previous home state. Eye tests are mandatory. Military personnel may operate vehicles on a valid driver’s license from his or her home state. If moving to Chapin from another address, you must report change of address within 10 days. Social Security cards and birth certificates are required for anyone who has not previously been issued a license. Call S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles at (803)737-1767.
Electric Service Top

The Chapin area is served by two power companies -- South Carolina Electric and Gas Company and Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative. Your real estate agent will be able to tell you if you are moving into territory served by:

 

Mid-Carolina, a customer-owned utility requiring a deposit of $135 plus a $20 application fee, and $15 membership.  MCEC does credit checks through Equifax, and if it is acceptable, the $135 can be waived. For service, call (803)749-6400.

 

SCE&G, an investor-owned utility requiring a $100 deposit (which may be waived). For service: (803)345-5106. To report power outages at all hours call 345-5106. SCE&G also provides natural gas service. To report gas leaks or other gas problems call 748-3462. Within the Chapin town limits, the service provider is SCE&G.
Fire & Emergency Top
Dispatched by an Enhanced 911 System, the Lexington County Emergency Medical Service paramedics and emergency medical technicians provide emergency treatment and rescue of the sick and injured using the most modern techniques and equipment. An EMS substation for the Chapin area is housed in the same building with the Chapin Fire Department, and operates 24 hours a day. Patients within the service area are transported to hospitals in Richland and Lexington counties. EMS does not transport patients to physician’s offices or patient’s homes. In an emergency dial 911 . When you dial 911, give the dispatcher the exact location of the accident or illness. Street numbers and directions are important. Also give the nature of the emergency, the number of people sick or injured, your name and the number you are calling from, as well as any hazards responding units need to know about, such as fire, downed electrical lines, blocked roads, etc. Do not hang up until the dispatcher does. While you are on the phone, EMS is on the way.
The Chapin Volunteer Fire Department

was formed in 1965. It became affiliated with the Lexington County Fire Service in 1974. The Chapin Area Fire Service now has 46 volunteer firemen and seven paid officers -- a chief, captain, lieutenant, three apparatus operators and one firefighter.  The Chapin station now has two sister stations, Amicks Ferry and Crossroads. To join as a volunteer at either station, you must fill out an application and 

submit to a background check, attend two business meetings and training classes.  Once you are approved, you will need to attend training for volunteers, about 300 hours for a basic firefighter.

Check out the websites of the local Fire and Emergency sites:

Chapin Area Fire Services

Crossroads Fire Department

Amick's Ferry Fire Department

 

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