The main purpose for establishing the Aiken Downtown Development Association (ADDA) and, later on, The Aiken Corporation, was to diversify and expand the City’s economic base and improve the quality of life in Aiken. The Aiken Corporation was established as a non-profit development corporation and a public-private partnership between the Aiken Corporation and the City of Aiken.

The Aiken Corporation’s mission was to build a strong and stable economic base through the attraction of jobs, investment, and a diverse mix of businesses. Similarly, the mission and the purpose of the Aiken Downtown Development Association is to improve economic vitality, enhance beauty, and preserve the historical inheritance of downtown Aiken.

Throughout the years, members of the Aiken Corporation and ADDA used unique strategies to attain their mission. The purpose of this section is to highlight the numerous projects that were either initiated or supported by the Aiken Corporation and its members.