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The new Economic Development Director brings global trade experience and a world of contacts

Brian Fulk
Brian Fulk, Economic Development Director, Lancaster County, SC

Brian Fulk sees a lot of potential for Lancaster County and is looking forward to building on the considerable success the county already has seen in recent years as one of the fastest-growing areas in South Carolina.

Fulk took the reins as the county’s Economic Development Director in October, bringing with him more than three decades of international and domestic trade and business development experience. He’s relocated from Richmond, where he was principal consultant for The Fulk Group, specializing in economic development and trade finance advising.

He also had been senior vice president for business development with the Greater Richmond Partnership. Before that, he spent more than 30 years with Wells Fargo and Wachovia Bank in trade financing and business development roles in England, Brazil, and Switzerland.  

Here Fulk shares his ideas and vision for Lancaster County:


Q. What made the Lancaster County Economic Development Director role an attractive opportunity for you?

Brian Fulk: My career plan was always to find an economic development leadership opportunity, preferably in a largely rural location, in order to give back to the community. Lancaster County offered the perfect opportunity. The county has so many things going for it and has already found success in attracting new corporations to the area.


Q. You have extensive international finance and trade experience as well as economic development experience in Virginia. How will that help you in your new role with Lancaster County?

Brian Fulk: I plan to use my international prospecting experience and worldwide contacts to elevate Lancaster County on the world stage as a great place to locate a new manufacturing facility or office. For example, while demand for new headquarters buildings may not be as strong in the U.S. today versus five years ago (given the work-from-home phenomenon), many overseas corporations are still likely to want a central U.S. headquarters operation with employees located on-site.

Founders Federal Credit Union Headquarters in Lancaster County SC

Q. What are your immediate and long-term goals for Lancaster County?

Brian Fulk: My immediate goal is to meet with all of our stakeholders and listen carefully to understand the desires and concerns of the community. Longer term, I hope to work with community leaders, the region, and with the South Carolina Department of Commerce to bring Lancaster a number of right-fitting companies to offer new and interesting employment opportunities, as well as to build a solid and diverse tax base for the county.


What is your vision for Lancaster County and what can you and your department do to fulfill that vision?

Brian Fulk:  I would like to see Lancaster known worldwide as a pro-business and welcoming area for new companies, and for companies already here looking to expand. I want to do my part to improve the economic livelihood of all citizens. Good-paying jobs are key to achieving this. Ideally, I would like to see Lancaster known as an innovation hub, helping to support new technologies.

My vision also includes, importantly, providing access to various resources for start-up companies, entrepreneurs, and those wishing to export their products abroad. We want to do our part to keep and attract talented individuals by helping to provide the resources, to include working space, they need.

Compucom Lancaster County SC

Q. What are the county’s strengths right now in terms of attractiveness to new and expanding industries?

Brian Fulk: Lancaster County is fortunate to have several successful industry clusters. These will continue to expand and create job opportunities in future years. Healthcare and Biomedical, Finance and Professional Services, Advanced Manufacturing (including Metalworking, Textiles and Advanced Fibers), Mining and Agricultural Solutions are thriving here now.

We’re also well-positioned to attract new industries. For example, we have seen recent interest from the Electric (or alternative energy) Vehicle space, especially those supplying the larger OEM manufacturers.

Here is a list of some of Lancaster County’s strengths as I see them today.

  1. First, its citizens. Lancaster is a welcoming community and almost everyone I have met shares a vision to see the county prosper and grow in a balanced way without overtaxing our infrastructure. Having nearly 100,000 county residents of all ages promoting Lancaster as a good place to live, learn, work and play is a nice, large salesforce to have.
  2. Highway and air service. Lancaster County is located close to major interstate highways. A company located and producing here can reach over 45% of the U.S. population within a day’s truck drive. Lancaster County also has superior air service with the local executive airfield (and nearby Air-Rail Park) and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport less than an hour away. 
  3. Rail access. For those importing or exporting, rail access is often essential. Lancaster provides access to two major service providers, CSX and Norfolk Southern.
  4. Workforce and training. Unlike many rural areas, Lancaster County can easily draw employees from the Charlotte area. We have access to a talented workforce. I’ve met with local educators who are very willing to help with specialized training for new companies coming here. Of course, we’re also fortunate to have some successful existing workforce programs and supporters, including readySC™.
  5. Land prices and leasing costs. Those two key factors are lower here than in many areas of the country and this will continue to keep us on the radar for companies looking for a new location.
  6. High quality of life. Lancaster County offers access to a vast array of cultural and sports activities, and to many great eating establishments. One can golf, play tennis, ride a bike, ride a horse, or walk on a trail. Add to this some of the state’s top schools, and you have a great place to live, learn, work, and play.
Red Ventures World Headquarters in Lancaster County SC

Q. What do you see as the greatest economic development opportunities for the county and how do you foresee you and your department leveraging those opportunities?

Brian Fulk: There’s always room to improve. For example, I would like to see us enhance our tourism/visitor activities. We have a lot to offer in the area and we need to broadcast this fact. We have the largest commercial gold mine on the East Coast. There is soon to be a state-of-the-art whitewater center going in nearby on the Catawba River.

Also, the City of Lancaster has enormous potential as a destination. We may be lacking some basics now, but these will come as our collective visions are realized. I can imagine a day when people drive from outside the state to stay at a nice hotel, eat a world-class meal on Main Street or nearby, and stroll the downtown area for shopping and cultural entertainment. This will happen … I just want to do my part to help speed up the process.

As for our greatest challenge, we need to determine as a community how we want to grow in the future. We need to have the infrastructure for this growth. This includes adequate water and sewer capacity, as well as roads able to handle increasing traffic. It also includes having schools with space available for new students.

From my perspective, we also need more “on-site” utilities at our several industrial parks to accommodate the industrial growth we expect to attract. Supply chain and other issues now require as much as 24 months or more to bring services to our sites.


Q. How does participation in the S.C. I-77 Alliance bolster your economic development efforts and what does Lancaster County’s participation add to the whole?

Brian Fulk: Lancaster County is a member and financial supporter of both the S.C. I-77 Alliance and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. These organizations help by marketing the region through various means, to include the organization of prospecting trips. We are stronger together, and I believe a win for one county or city is eventually a win for all. 

Nutramax Labs in Lancaster County SC

As the saying goes, we live in interesting times. While change is a constant, the kind of change certainly is not. The unique mix of rising interest rates and inflation, supply change disruption, and pandemic recovery creates unprecedented challenges for private and public stakeholders alike in the realm of economic recruitment and development.

Yet where lies challenges opportunity emerges, and those who respond quickly with smart strategies will lay the groundwork for long-term success for those companies and communities that are relying on them to create a prosperous future.

Of course, no company or county is an island, and collaboration among private and public players has been and continues to be a critical part of success in this arena. So is data, the kind that helps inform both those communicating the attributes of a community and those who need to understand the potential the community offers their expanding or relocating enterprises.

The South Carolina I-77 Alliance offers the mix of analytics and people needed to help attract capital investment and high-quality manufacturing, distribution, and office jobs to the five-county corridor between Charlotte and Columbia.

A Staff of Two, A Team of Dozens

We’re a staff of two – President/CEO Steven Pearce and Christopher Finn, our Director of Research & Marketing – however, we’re in fact a much larger team, with an impressive board and a growing list of partners contributing their expertise from such roles as energy, manufacturing, and bank executives, attorneys, private and public engineers, landowners and infrastructure providers, and government and education leaders.

Steven Pearce - I77 Alliance
Steven Pearce
Chris Finn - I77 Alliance
Chris Finn

Together, we’re executing a multi-faceted strategy to elevate the corridor’s visibility and reputation as a premier place to do business. This year, that includes growing our Alliance-sourced and external leads by 15% and 10% respectively while simultaneously growing online engagement and interaction by 10%.

Site-selection consultant visits also are a priority, and we keep our Economic Data Center – a dynamic database of key demographic and site availability information – as current as possible. Importantly, too, we’ll continue to build on incorporating the experience and commitment of our region’s business community into the recruitment effort.

A Whole Greater Than Its Parts

I-77 Alliance 11 Hour Drive Time

York, Lancaster, Chester, Fairfield, and Richland counties already are enjoying an impressive run of new projects and expansions by international and domestic firms alike, companies from across the industrial spectrum who recognize the area’s ideal mix of location, logistics, workforce, and living options from urban to suburban to rural.

We encourage you to consider joining the effort. The Alliance offers four levels of direct investor opportunity, with a list of benefits that grows with the financial commitment. Your participation helps ensure that rather than duplicating marketing efforts, we build on a synergy – a whole greater than its parts – that already has produced notable progress and the expectation of much more in the years ahead.

Check out our 2021-2022 annual plan here. Contact us to find out more about investing in the Alliance and the economic future of South Carolina’s I-77 Corridor. Together we can leverage those opportunities as together we invest locally and compete globally.

What a difference a decade can make. When the Great Recession hit, Lancaster County was already reeling from the loss of Springs Industries and its thousands of textile jobs that had sustained generations of local families.

Unemployment skyrocketed and income levels dropped to among the lowest in the state. “We had become a poster child for what can happen to communities overly dependent on one industry or employer,” says county Economic Development Director Jamie Gilbert. “Lancaster County was so distressed that Forbes called us ‘the most vulnerable community in America.’”

A decade later, Lancaster County is enjoying an economic boom that has seen its economy diversify across multiple industries while also becoming one of the premier office markets in the booming Charlotte region.

Movement Mortgage Headquarters in Lancaster

Gilbert says that boom began when county leaders began actively leveraging their ideal location — a mix of rural, small town and suburban — to aggressively recruit corporate offices to the northern end of the county, comprising the Fort Mill and Indian Land communities just south of Charlotte.

Digital marketing leader Red Ventures, Sharonview Federal Credit Union and Continental Tire of the Americas paved the way in 2010, followed soon by other corporate brand names such as CompuCom, Honeywell, Movement Mortgage and ServiceMac.

White- and Blue-Collar Growth

There now are more than 6,400 employees in the professional & business service sectors in Lancaster County, primarily clustered in the county’s northern panhandle, a number expected to grow by 50 percent over the next several years. That white-collar explosion is occurring alongside the renaissance of goods-producing sectors in the county, a cluster of industries that has nearly doubled employment since cratering in 2010, now employing almost 4,700 people in Lancaster County.

“Lancaster County’s heart and soul has always been manufacturing and since 2010 we’ve attracted a number of new firms that have played a major role in reshaping our economy,” Gilbert says. They range from animal health products maker Nutramax Laboratories to Fab Fours, a maker of premium bumpers and truck accessories. Textiles also remain a player, including Keer America, a spinning mill that plays a key role in the cotton yarn supply chain. In the southern end of the county, there’s even a new gold mine, operated by OceanaGold.

The numbers also tell the story. Since 2012, Lancaster County has facilitated 59 new and expanding industrial projects that represent a $1.52 billion investment and nearly 11,200 expected jobs. In the past year alone, the county ranked first in the Palmetto State for new jobs, sixth for announced new investments (excluding solar farms), and second for announced new jobs and investment combined.

“Per capita income is now third-highest in the state and we’ve moved from being a tier four county to tier two. Smart Asset has just ranked us as the third-best county in South Carolina for new investment,” Gilbert says. “To call it remarkable is an understatement.”

More People, Places, Possibilities

Commercial, retail and residential growth has accompanied that manufacturing and office expansion. The county’s population was 76,972 in 2010. It’s expected to surpass 100,000 in 2020. That makes Lancaster County the second-fastest growing county in the state (behind only Horry County/Myrtle Beach on the coast) and the 32nd fastest in the country among counties with populations of more than 10,000.

“Our growth boom has brought new shopping centers, service businesses, restaurants, subdivisions and apartments that support the needs of our residents and businesses. This keeps spending local and generates additional tax revenue for our schools and county services,” Gilbert says.

Red Ventures World Headquarters

The development of new areas and redevelopment of the town of Lancaster aims to attract both knowledge and trade workers, which are so crucial to companies facing a tight labor market and national competition for talented people who have a lot of options.

Along with smoothing the way for multiple infrastructure, industrial/office/commercial and residential lifestyle projects, county leaders are working closely with companies and local institutions of higher learning to close the loop on all that’s needed to ensure Lancaster County remains a compelling choice for those looking to choose a new home for their enterprise of the future.

$26.2 million investment will create 40 new jobs

McEntire Produce, a full-service fresh produce supplier, today announced the continued development of its state-of-the-art facility in Richland County. The company’s $26.2 million investment will create 40 new jobs.

The company will upfit its existing facility located at 2040 American Italian Way in Columbia with automation advancements that will improve production capacity.

  • Operating in Richland County since 1938, McEntire Produce is a family-owned fresh produce processor, repacker and wholesaler.
  • The company also handles the general processing of lettuce, tomatoes, onions and coleslaw mix for numerous fast-food restaurants.
  • Operations will be phased in over five years.
  • Individuals interested in joining the McEntire Produce team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“The McEntire family is pleased to further invest in its Richland County manufacturing facility. The investments placed over the next five years will improve the capacity, enable customer expansion and create more jobs for South Carolinians.”

-McEntire Produce President and CEO Carter McEntire

“We are proud to see a company with such a long-standing history in our state continuing to succeed. After over eighty years of operations in South Carolina, McEntire Produce’s announcement today is further proof that our state has the tools businesses need to find long-term success.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“South Carolina has a rich history in agribusiness, and thriving companies like McEntire Produce are a huge reason why this industry continues to flourish in our state. Congratulations on this impressive $26.2 million investment in Richland County.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“McEntire Produce’s expansion will create more agribusiness jobs for South Carolinians and more opportunities for South Carolina farmers. I’m glad to see this respected, multi-generational local business solidifying its commitment to our state.”

-South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers

“Richland County is proud to invest in homegrown, family-owned businesses like McEntire Produce. The company’s multi-million dollar expansion will not only expand the county’s workforce with the creation of new jobs, but also afford future growth and strengthen our roots nationally and globally.”

-Richland County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • McEntire Produce will continue development of its state-of-the-art facility in Richland County.
  • The company’s $26.2 million investment will create 40 new jobs.
  • McEntire Produce is a full-service fresh produce supplier.
  • The company is located at 2040 Italian American Way in Columbia, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the McEntire Produce team should visit the company’s careers page.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Alex Clark
Deputy Director of Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
aclark@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

Economic development is a complex endeavor that requires successfully aligning the interests and requirements of multiple public and private stakeholders. It can be a dizzying dance, and the steady hand of experienced legal counsel is vital to the process.Sam Moses, a Partner with the Columbia office of Charlotte-based Parker Poe

Sam Moses, a Partner with the Columbia office of Charlotte-based Parker Poe, is such a hand. After a decade of working in Columbia and Germany for the S.C. Department of Commerce, Moses joined Parker Poe in 2007. Since then, he has been deeply involved in such major projects in the I-77 Corridor including one involving the conversion of the old Mack Truck plant in Fairfield County to a mattress factory operated by international manufacturer Healthcare Co. Ltd.

That’s just two from an extensive, growing, and diverse list of engagements for his firm’s Business Expansion and Location Solutions team. “The vast majority of our team’s work involves corporate economic development, representing manufacturing businesses, large and small, with their expansions,” Moses said. “We help them nationwide with site evaluation and selection, incentives and real estate negotiations, and all legal aspects to get such projects done.”

Parker Poe is representing industrial and commercial developers as well as local governments in economic development matters as well, including structuring incentive packages and coordinating bond and other financing transactions to fund critical infrastructure improvements in the I-77 Corridor. Parker Poe, for instance, has a lead economic development counsel for Richland County, where Volkswagen’s Scout Motors is building a $2 billion electric vehicle assembly plant.

Parker Poe also is one of the few law firms in the country that has an affiliated site selection company with consultants who provide national site selection and incentives negotiation services.  The consultants team together with the attorneys in the law firm to provide a comprehensive suite of legal and law related business services to industrial developers and companies to right location and site for expansion or relocation.

The team supports projects nationwide with a primary focus on the Carolinas and Georgia. That combination of legal and on-the-ground business development expertise also helps fuel the firm’s support for the S.C. I-77 Alliance as an investing partner.

Alliance Engagement is a Natural Fit

Moses says his association with the I-77 Alliance is a natural fit to Parker Poe’s commitment to supporting and engaging with the primary economic development organizations in the communities and markets where his firm’s clients work and live.

“There are so many disciplines involved in the process, from real estate to permitting to infrastructure development and workforce and just a lot more,” Moses said. “The Alliance helps bring together the public and private sectors, all those local resources and skill sets to match a company’s needs.”

It’s also good for business. “The Alliance is a great networking platform for all of us locally to share and information and our individual capabilities to better engage companies unfamiliar with the region, and for companies already here that may not be aware of all that’s available to them,” Moses said.

That includes the Alliance’s strategic planning, workforce assessment, and research services, and its data platforms that provide vital information that helps attract new corporate investment to the five-county corridor.

Moses concluded that engaging with the Alliance “a critical way we can all contribute to creating jobs, growing tax revenue, and helping our region continue to grow and prosper.”

Investor Spotlight is a series that focuses on investors in the S.C. I-77 Alliance, organizations that include the range of stakeholders, including utilities, law firms, educational institutions, developers, and more. For more information, contact us here.

$8.25 million investment will create 17 new jobs

Capital Concrete Co., a construction materials supplier, today announced it is growing its South Carolina footprint with a new operation in Fairfield County. The company’s $8.25 million investment will create 17 new jobs.

Founded in 2006, Capital Concrete Co. has four, existing South Carolina locations providing ready-mix concrete products for all project types. The new plant, located at 355 Commerce Blvd. in Ridgeway, will be the company’s fifth location, giving it closer proximity to serve customers in Fairfield County.

Operations will be online in the third quarter of 2024. Individuals interested in joining the Capital Concrete Co. team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“Capital Concrete Co. is excited to partner with Fairfield County and South Carolina for our continuing expansion plans in the Midlands. The site in the Walter Brown Industrial Park is well situated for future growth and will further job creation and investment in the region, and we look forward to being a good corporate citizen in this regard.”

-Capital Concrete Co. President Rusty Shealy

“Capital Concrete Co.’s continued success in South Carolina is a testament to the state’s positive economic climate. The company’s $8.25 million investment in Fairfield County will reinforce its commitment to building a South Carolina-based brand.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“We congratulate Capital Concrete Co. on its latest expansion and look forward to the development opportunities this new operation brings to Fairfield County.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“I am excited that Capital Concrete chose to locate in Fairfield County! They’ve demonstrated to us that they want to be a good industrial partner in Fairfield County, and I look forward to watching the citizens benefiting from the new jobs created.”

-Fairfield County Council Chair Doug Pauley

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Capital Concrete Co. is growing its South Carolina footprint with a new operation in Fairfield County.
  • The company’s $8.25 million investment will create 17 new jobs.
  • Capital Concrete Co. is a construction materials supplier.
  • The company will be located at 355 Commerce Blvd. in Ridgeway, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the Capital Concrete Co. team should visit the company’s careers page.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

$9.22 billion announced capital investment on the heels of a record-setting 2022

The South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) today released its 2023 industry recruitment results which reflect sustained economic activity. From January to December 2023, the state announced total capital investment of $9.22 billion, the second largest amount in state history. That investment represents 81 projects and 14,120 announced jobs.

“Once again, South Carolina has proven that it is among the best places in the world to do business,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “Over the past year, our state proactively prioritized trends and topics that are crucial to maintaining a vibrant and competitive economy. Recording the second-highest year for industry recruitment in state history not only confirms the sustained interest for doing business here, but also signals to the global business community that South Carolina is a trusted partner for successful businesses.”

The announced capital investment of $9.22 billion includes major investments in the state’s two leading industry sectors by total investment, Automotive, Electric Vehicles (EV) and EV Batteries with $4.3 billion investment, and Alternative Energy and Fuels with $1.56 billion investment. Notably, in 2023, there were three announcements with investments of $1 billion or more — the highest such year in state history:

Scout Motors
Albemarle Corporation
QTS Data Centers

The previous record, of two projects with an investment of $1 billion or more in a single year, was set in 2014 and tied again in 2022.

“After a record-breaking 2022, South Carolina has remained committed to ensuring its long-term economic competitiveness and growing reputation as an established destination for transformational industry,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “Back-to-back years of strong industry recruitment reinforces South Carolina’s commitment to the success of our existing and new businesses, alike.”

To access the complete recruitment report, click here. For more details on the state’s announced economic activity, visit S.C. Commerce’s newsroom.


About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

$16 million investment will create 87 new jobs by 2026

OneH2, a leader in sustainable hydrogen solutions, today announced it is expanding its U.S. footprint by establishing the company’s first South Carolina operation in York County. The $16 million investment will create 87 new jobs by 2026.

Created in 2015 and headquartered in Longview, North Carolina, OneH2 designs and manufactures innovative products ranging from hydrogen production plants and distribution equipment to vehicle powertrains and fuel systems. Its products provide the North American industrial vehicles market with cost-effective power solutions.

With a presence in California, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina, the company aims to establish a nationwide hydrogen infrastructure network that will make transitioning to hydrogen fuel easier and more economical for business owners and industrial operations.

OneH2 purchased a 246,091-square-foot building located at 6199 Highway 57 in Clover. The company will use this facility for warehousing and to manufacture hydrogen fuel equipment.

Operations will be online in stages, starting in the first quarter of 2024 with the initial workforce. The final stage will be completed in 2025 with the full workforce. Individuals interested in joining the OneH2 team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“We are thrilled to continue our expansion with the purchase of the Clover, SC facility. Our existing manufacturing facility in North Carolina is already operating at maximum. By opening this new facility, we will be able to scale our production and grow our hydrogen equipment footprint across the U.S. at a rapid pace.”

-OneH2 Vice President of Product Swapnil Revankar

“We prioritize recruiting innovative companies, especially those in the energy sector, and we are delighted to welcome OneH2 to our expanding portfolio of energy-related businesses. Their substantial $16 million investment and the creation of new jobs will significantly impact York County and South Carolina.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“By providing the North American industrial vehicles market with cost-effective power solutions, OneH2 is helping businesses reduce their carbon footprint. We welcome this innovative company to South Carolina and look forward to supporting its work toward a zero-emissions future.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Richland County welcomes the expansion of TMC Transportation in Columbia. This announcement underscores County Council’s continued commitment to bolstering economic development throughout Richland County, therefore enhancing the quality and vibrancy of life in the communities we serve..”

-York County Council Chairwoman Christi Cox

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • OneH2 is expanding its U.S. footprint by establishing the company’s first South Carolina operation in York County.
  • The company’s $16 million investment will create 87 new jobs by 2026.
  • OneH2 designs and manufactures innovative products ranging from hydrogen production plants and distribution equipment to vehicle powertrains and fuel systems.
  • The company will be located at 6199 Highway 57 in Clover, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the OneH2 team should visit the company’s careers page.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

$38 million investment will create 185 new jobs

TMC Transportation one of the trucking industry’s premier flatbed carriers, today announced it is growing the company’s Southeast presence with the expansion of its regional headquarters in Richland County. The $38 million investment will create 185 new jobs.

Employee-owned TMC Transportation has more than 50 years of experience in the trucking industry and a 25-year history in South Carolina. The company is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and has a network of terminals and service centers throughout the U.S.

TMC Transportation will consolidate the three facilities it is leasing in central South Carolina into a single 44-acre campus located at 2716 Shop Road in Columbia. The company will build a 36,000-square-foot operations and logistics office, and a 66,000-square-foot maintenance facility next to its existing driver training center.

Operations will be online at the new campus in May 2025. Individuals interested in joining the TMC Transportation team should visit the company’s careers page.

QUOTES

“Since 1998, TMC Transportation has had a presence in the Columbia area, and we are looking forward to consolidating all of our employees and operations processes into one state-of-the-art location. We are proud to partner with the state of South Carolina and Richland County to grow our business, strengthen the local economy and supply chain, and solidify our presence in the Columbia market for years to come.”

-TMC Transportation Executive Vice President of Asset Management Jason Webb

“With two-thirds of the U.S. population within a two-day drive of South Carolina, this is the ideal place for trucking companies to thrive. We look forward to seeing TMC Transportation continue to develop and build on its rich history in South Carolina.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“Congratulations to TMC Transportation on expanding in Richland County. The transportation industry is a key component to a thriving economic climate and with a growing presence in the Southeast, TMC Transportation will help to support a flourishing supply chain.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“Richland County welcomes the expansion of TMC Transportation in Columbia. This announcement underscores County Council’s continued commitment to bolstering economic development throughout Richland County, therefore enhancing the quality and vibrancy of life in the communities we serve..”

-Richland County Council Chairman Overture Walker

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • TMC Transportation is growing its Southeast presence with an expansion in Richland County.
  • The company’s $38 million investment will create 185 new jobs.
  • TMC Transportation is one of the trucking industry’s premier flatbed carriers.
  • The company will be located at 2716 Shop Road in Columbia, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the TMC Transportation team should visit the company’s careers page.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

A rising tide lifts all boats, even when pulled by a train. That’s been a driving philosophy for the Lancaster & Chester Railroad (L&C), whose short-line railway has a long history of providing critical infrastructure in those two counties.

The L&C was launched in 1896 to serve the booming textile mills in the area, serving as a vital connection to regional and national railways. As the textile industry declined, rather than standing sidetracked and idle, L&C expanded into handling materials such as steel, coal, fiberglass, and sand for a variety of industries.

Along with its customer list, the company grew its rail lines, buying 30 miles of track from Norfolk Southern (NS) in 2001, giving it access to a thriving paper mill in northern Lancaster County and its current total of 85 miles.

The railways continued to haul agricultural products along the way – including barley, soybeans, and lumber – and added development of an industrial park to its resume’ as a significant player in its home community’s economic development.

Most recently, the L&C’s proven stability, versatility, and convenient rail ties to NS and CSX, have proven to be a vital piece of the recruiting puzzle that continues to attract significant new investment here. Highlights include $1.3 billion for a lithium battery components recycling plant by Albemarle Corporation and a $423 million production and distribution center by E. & J. Gallo, the legendary winery’s first such center outside of California.

L&C was heavily involved in both those projects, working closely with state and local officials, utility providers, site selection professionals, the S.C. I-77 Alliance, and most critically, with the companies themselves.

Matt Gedney Continues His Family’s Legacy with Investment in the Alliance

Economic development is a team sport. Matt Gedney knows that well. His father, the late Steve Gedney, had been president of the L&C for nearly 20 years until it was sold to Gulf & Ohio Railways in 2010. The younger Gedney is now the parent company’s chief development officer while staying closely connected to the Lancaster-based rail line he grew up watching his father lead.

“We always believed in regionalism in economic development and recruitment and were among the founders of the Alliance and of its predecessors,” Matt Gedney says. “The work the Alliance does becomes ever more crucial as recruiting becomes more competitive and the industries we recruit become more advanced and specialized. They have a lot of requirements and a lot of choices.”

Gedney serves on the Alliance board and his railroad remains a committed investor. He points to the value-added services and products the Alliance provides to the organization’s five-county region, including strategic planning, workforce assessment, research, and data platforms.

“It’s a symbiotic relationship, and we all benefit. No one community, or county, or even the state can do this kind of work on their own. You need something like the Alliance to bring all these resources and people together when it comes to targeting a specific company and matching their needs to what you have to offer,” Gedney says.

“That’s why we consider our participation as an Alliance investor to be so important. It’s an investment in creating and maintaining the kind of economic growth now sweeping across the I-77 corridor, creating great jobs and all that comes with it. This is my hometown and it’s exciting on a professional and personal level.”

About L&C Railroad

The L&C Railroad is a short-line railroad based in Lancaster, South Carolina, just south of Charlotte, North Carolina. In continuous operation for more than 125 years, the L&C Railroad operates 85 miles of track that connects existing transload facilities and more than 3,000 acres of industrially zoned property in Chester and Lancaster counties to the national rail network through both CSX and Norfolk Southern. The 10 locomotives and four train crews handle liquid chemicals, plastics, and agricultural products, including lumber. L&C Railroad is now one of four short-line railroads held by Gulf & Ohio Railways.

$1 billion investment will generate a robust technology ecosystem

QTS Data Centers (QTS), a leading global provider of colocation data center infrastructure and related services, today announced it will establish operations in York County. The $1 billion investment is the company’s first South Carolina facility and will help establish a technology hub in York County.

Data centers power the internet and the digital economy while serving as an economic anchor in the areas where they operate.

The QTS campus, which will be located near Hands Mill Highway and Campbell Road in unincorporated York County, will utilize carbon-free power when feasible and leverage industry-leading, water-saving technology that uses zero water for cooling its customers’ environments. When available, job opportunities will be posted on the company’s website.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to York County to assist with the costs of site preparation.

QUOTES

“QTS is pleased to announce our expansion in York County, SC with a new campus that supports growth for QTS and its partners. Our investment in York County is consistent with QTS’ strategy of securing access to infrastructure at scale in strategic markets to support accelerating demand from our hyperscale, enterprise, and government customer base. We look forward to partnering with the community along with local and state leadership, further enhancing South Carolina as a leading technology center.”

-QTS Chief Executive Officer Chad Williams

“With QTS Data Centers establishing operations in York County, South Carolina continues to add to its already impressive technology industry. We celebrate their significant investment and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have in York County and across the state.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“Digital infrastructure is critical as our reliance on technology increases. We’re proud that high-tech companies like QTS Data Centers recognize that South Carolina’s assets will enable sustained success and look forward to the impact of this $1 billion investment in York County.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“QTS Data Centers’ $1 billion investment in York County reflects our community’s commitment to a brighter future. Their presence here will significantly boost public school funding and broaden our tax base. We extend thanks to our local utility partners for their invaluable support in making this vision a reality. Welcome to York County, QTS.”

-York County Council Chairwoman Christi Cox

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • QTS Data Centers (QTS) is establishing its first South Carolina operations in York County.
  • The $1billion investment will generate a robust technology ecosystem.
  • QTS is a leading global provider of colocation data center infrastructure and related services.
  • The company will be located near Hands Mill Highway and Campbell Road in unincorporated York County, S.C.
  • When available, job opportunities will be posted on the company’s website.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

$150 million investment will create 800 new jobs

Silfab Solar, a leading North American solar panel manufacturer, today announced plans to expand its U.S. footprint by establishing operations in York County. The company’s $150 million investment will create 800 new jobs.

With more than 40 years of solar experience, Silfab Solar designs, engineers and manufactures its own premium brand of high-efficiency solar panels for both residential and commercial use. The company operates two U.S. facilities in Bellingham and Burlington, Washington, and one in Toronto, Canada. The new facility in York County will manufacture next-generation solar cell technology, boosting U.S solar cell production.

The company is leasing a 785,000-square-foot building located at 7149 Logistics Lane in Fort Mill.

Operations are expected to be online in the third quarter of 2024. Individuals who are interested in joining the Silfab Solar team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $2 million Set-Aside grant to York County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

QUOTES

“Silfab Solar’s investment in South Carolina strengthens our North America manufacturing capabilities, creates good-paying jobs and provides the ideal East Coast location to serve our growing customers. We look forward to expanding our industry-leading position for made-in-America solar. The company specifically chose York County as the ideal location to expand because of the community’s commitment to innovation, its quality of life and the availability of a skilled workforce. Silfab Solar looks forward to hiring and to begin production of next-generation solar modules.”

-Silfab Solar CEO Paolo Maccario

“Silfab Solar selecting York County for a project that requires a highly skilled workforce shows that our workforce development investments are paying off in a big way. Our people are South Carolina’s greatest resource, and we are confident they will help Silfab Solar thrive in its latest venture. Congratulations to Silfab Solar on this project and welcome to South Carolina.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“With an established West Coast presence, we are delighted that Silfab Solar chose South Carolina for its new, East Coast operations. Our state is proud to be a proven destination for growing companies seeking long-term success. Silfab Solar’s 800 new jobs represent incredible opportunities for York County and beyond.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Silfab Solar is growing its U.S. presence by establishing a flagship operation in York County.
  • The company’s $150 million investment will create 800 new jobs.
  • Silfab Solar designs, engineers and manufactures its own brand of high-efficiency solar panels.
  • The company will be located at 7149 Logistics Lane in Fort Mill, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the Silfab Solar team should visit the company’s careers page.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

$10 million investment will create 40 new jobs

Mungo Homes, a home builder with communities throughout the Southeast, is expanding its corporate headquarters in Richland County. The $10 million investment will create 40 new jobs.

Mungo Homes will build a new, 20,250-square-foot facility to house marketing, human resources, information technology, accounting, purchasing and customer service teams. The new building will sit adjacent to the current headquarters, located at 441 Western Lane in Irmo, which will receive extensive renovations.

Established in Columbia in 1954, Mungo Homes is part of Berkshire-Hathaway Inc. and works in markets throughout the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia. The company expects to complete this project in late 2024 or early 2025. Individuals who are interested in joining the Mungo Homes team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project. The council also awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to Richland County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

QUOTES

“Even though our footprint has expanded to four states, this company was ‘born’ in Irmo, South Carolina so it’s important to us to remain headquartered in our home community. We appreciate the support from the Department of Commerce, along with Richland County, to help make this project a reality, and we look forward to providing our team members with an updated work environment that mirrors the innovation and thoughtfulness we put into our homes.”

-Mungo Homes CEO Steven Mungo

“Mungo Homes’ decision to expand its corporate headquarters in Richland County is a testament to the company’s strong growth and commitment to its South Carolina roots. With a $10 million investment and the creation of 40 new jobs, this expansion will help further contribute to South Carolina’s thriving economy.”

-Gov. Henry McMaster

“Nothing makes us prouder than watching a South Carolina-based company evolve into a leader in the Southeast. This $10 million investment and 40 new jobs are indicators that Mungo Homes is building on its reputation of excellence.”

-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“This investment supports council’s commitment to bolstering economic development throughout Richland County while contributing to the success of local business. The expansion will not only be an asset to the Irmo area with the creation of new jobs but also add to the vibrancy and quality of life in the community. We welcome and are excited about this new opportunity for growth.”

-Richland County Council Chair Overture Walker

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Mungo Homes is expanding its corporate headquarters in Richland County.
  • The $10 million investment will create 40 new jobs.
  • Mungo Homes is a homebuilder with communities throughout the Southeast.
  • Mungo Homes is located at 441 Western Lane in Irmo, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the Mungo Homes team should visit the company’s careers page.

About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Kelly Coakley
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
kcoakley@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

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