Pendleton Year in Review, with Mayor Frank Crenshaw

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

As the calendar moves toward Thanksgiving, Pendleton’s streets are showing signs of of a small town adorning itself for the holidays. Behind Mayor Frank Crenshaw, a Christmas tree gradually takes shape—a symbol of tradition amid change—as the town prepares for its annual Christmas market and tree lighting. It is a fitting backdrop for a conversation about a year that has been, in Crenshaw’s words, a time of “coming together” and cautious progress.

One of the most tangible achievements of Crenshaw’s final year as mayor has been the near-completion of a long-awaited and much-discussed (and delayed) infrastructural project: the realignment of the intersection at Westinghouse and Swanee. For residents, the intersection has been a bottleneck, a physical manifestation of Pendleton’s growing pains. Duke Energy’s imminent removal of two utility poles obstructing this critical juncture promises to open the way, literally and figuratively, for freer movement.

“This intersection project is a big deal,” said Crenshaw with measured pride. “Pendleton has always felt like a Mayberry—a small town, calm and quiet. But growth is a double-edged sword. It brings business and opportunity, but it also brings traffic and strain on infrastructure.”

Pendleton’s development extends beyond roads and poles. The revival of the old Cheney Cotton Mill as Pendleton Mill Lofts marks a significant renaissance for the town’s downtown expansion. Leasing units are finally available, and the influx of new residents will enliven local businesses and restaurants, injecting fresh life into historic streets. “All that’s finally coming together,” Crenshaw notes, “and it’s going to be a benefit for the community.” Not far away plans are in the works for the use of the old Pendleton Oil Mill property, which will also stretch downtown to the East.

He said the near completion of the $68 million sewer treatment plant, in partnership with Anderson County and Clemson, was another major accomplishment of the past year.

The mayor’s reflections are tinged with both satisfaction and the sober recognition of challenges that come with stewardship of a growing town. He speaks of balancing progress with preservation, growth with community spirit—a delicate dance that defines much of Pendleton’s recent history.

A native of the town, he has served on council for more than 20 years before becoming mayor in 2012. Crenshaw looks back with satisfaction about the positive progress and growth during his administrations.

“We’ve been very successful at getting grant money,” said Crenshaw. “Over the last 12-13 years, we've brought in over $44 million in grant money here. We’ve also seen a lot of new investment here, about $200 million, which I'm really proud of during the time that I've been here.” He said the investment created around 100 new jobs.

“We’re really proud of that and we've done a lot of projects including right here where you're standing.  The downtown master plan which totally changed the downtown here and really I think was for the better and really increased the level of activity here and increased the amount of business that's being done down here. You know, new restaurants that came in and really helped increase the hospitality tax.”

Since 2012, Pendleton’s hospitality has grown from $40,000 a year to more than $500,000 a year.

“You know, back then we were working with a little less than a $2 million budget, and now we're working with a $14 million budget,” said Crenshaw. “A lot of that's due to the growth that came in around. We were able to annex into growth. It increased the funding, which allowed us to put in a new police department, a reestablished police department, and things like that that we really sorely needed here, and it increased public safety.”

When Crenshaw hosts his last Christmas tree lights countdown to shining in a new holiday season on Nov. 27, he said will remain committed to the town and to helping the new mayor as Pendleton looks ahead, a town embracing change without letting go of its small-town soul. For Crenshaw, as his tenure draws to a close, the year past is a testament to perseverance—a legacy woven into the fabric of the hometown he has served with quiet dedication.