Our Legacy
Identifying and implementing projects to improve the quality of life throughout the Southeast.Since 1969, the principals at the FA Johnson Development Group have successfully assembled resources to conduct the planning, programming, financing, and management of the physical environment.
Our flagship project was Harbison, which was a 2,000-acre new town community located along I-26 West in Columbia, South Carolina. On behalf of the South Carolina/Georgia Synod of the Presbyterian Church USA, F.A. Johnson spearheaded, the project from feasibility through planning and development of more than 2,000 acres. Johnson guided the development of this $225 Million project. The total project scope included a $22 Million fund-raising program as well as procuring a loan guarantee through the federal government for $13 Million. Under Johnson’s direction, Harbison’s application was processed through the federal government in a record time of twelve (12) months. This was the first 501(c)(3), non-profit new town development. Harbison was one of the most successful new towns built under the 1968 New Communities Act. The community quickly grew to a population of over 8,000 persons and is still growing.
Since the development of Harbison, we have worked with municipalities, housing authorities, redevelopment agencies, private owners, as well as colleges and universities. Based on this development experience, the principals of the F.A. Johnson Development Group have written a Non-Profit Developer’s Training Manual for Public Private Partnerships and regularly conduct capacity-building training sessions. Now lead by second generation principal F. A. Johnson, II, the firm continues to identify and implement projects to improve the quality of life throughout the Southeast.