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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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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.

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 32^nd 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our diverse economic landscape offers a great home for multiple sectors

In the heart of South Carolina, the five counties comprising the S.C. I-77 Alliance are emerging as a focal point for a new era of industry. This vibrant economic hub is attracting a wealth of electric vehicle (EV)-related industries, underlining its importance as a strategic location for innovative businesses. Yet, the strength of the I-77 corridor extends beyond its thriving EV sector, with a diverse range of industries contributing to its robust growth and resilience.

Three major recent announcements underscore the I-77 corridor’s growing stature in the EV realm. Scout Motors has chosen the region for its first manufacturing plant, with the Volkswagen spinoff investing $2 billion to build next-generation trucks and rugged SUVs, with the potential for creating 4,000 or more permanent jobs​ at the site just north of Columbia​ in Richland County.

Meanwhile, Cirba Solutions, a battery management and materials company, is establishing its flagship operations in Columbia, with an initial investment of over $300 million that’s expected to create more than 300 new jobs​​. Plus, Albemarle Corporation, a global leader in specialty chemicals, has selected Chester County for a $1.3 billion state-of-the-art “Mega-Flex” lithium hydroxide processing facility, creating more than 300 jobs​.

These major players, among others, are staking their future in the I-77 corridor, highlighting the region’s growing appeal to EV-related businesses.

Yet, the corridor’s industrial landscape is marked by much more than its burgeoning EV sector. Other industries, including tire manufacturing, wine production, and pharmaceuticals, contribute to the area’s economic dynamism. For example, Giti Tire has invested $560 million in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant and distribution center in Chester County, generating nearly 600 jobs​​. E.&J. Gallo Winery has committed $423 million to establish its first production and distribution facility outside California in Chester County​​, while The Ritedose Corporation, a pharmaceutical products manufacturer, is expanding its Richland County operations​.

Overall, the I-77 corridor hosts a diverse array of thriving industries, including precision manufacturing, advanced materials, life sciences, and corporate, finance, and professional services, to name a few​​. This diversity fosters a resilient economic ecosystem that buffers against sector-specific downturns and cultivates a broad talent pool, making the corridor a compelling location for businesses seeking to invest, expand, or relocate.

For executives making location decisions, the I-77 corridor’s blend of a booming EV sector and a diverse industrial base offers a unique value proposition. It’s not just about joining a fast-growing, forward-looking EV hub, but also becoming part of a larger, vibrant economic community that promises stability, versatility, and growth. The corridor’s future is electric, and it’s more diverse than ever. Whether you’re in the EV sector or beyond, there’s a place for your business here. The South Carolina I-77 corridor is ready to power your next chapter of growth.

Snider Fleet Solutions, a leading innovator in providing total fleet maintenance solutions to the transportation and construction industries, announced plans to relocate its North Carolina based headquarter offices to Lancaster County. The company’s $6.9 million investment will create 167 new jobs.

Snider Fleet Solutions is one of the largest service providers in the transportation and construction industries, with 80 locations nationwide, servicing over 75% of the United States. The company distributes new and retread commercial and industrial tires, while offering mechanical services and technology solutions.

Relocating its headquarters from Greensboro and Newton, North Carolina, Snider Fleet Solutions plans to move into an existing facility at 1081 Red Ventures Drive in Lancaster County. This transition allows the company to consolidate management operations, better facilitating collaboration across its service groups.

Operations are expected to be online by June 1, 2023. Individuals interested in joining the Snider Fleet Solutions team should visit the company’s careers page.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project.

QUOTES

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

Xerxes, a subsidiary of Shawcor Ltd., today announced plans to establish its first South Carolina operations in Richland County. The company will create approximately 80 new jobs.

Shawcor Ltd., the parent company of Xerxes, will expand its composite systems segment production capabilities in the United States, with an additional production facility for its Xerxes business. Xerxes manufactures market-leading, fiberglass-reinforced plastic underground storage tanks, primarily used within the retail fuel, storm water and wastewater markets.

Shawcor Ltd. is a growth-oriented, global material sciences company serving the infrastructure, energy and transportation markets. The company operates through a network of fixed and mobile manufacturing and service facilities. Its three business segments — composite systems, automotive and industrial, and pipeline and pipe services — enable responsible renewal and enhancement of critical infrastructure while lowering risk and environmental impact.

Located at 141 Hobart Road in Blythewood, Xerxes plans to lease a new production facility that will expand the company’s capability to deliver market-leading underground fuel and water storage tanks.

The facility will be populated in a phased manner. It is expected to be operational by the end of 2024 and to approach normalized levels of production in 2026. Individuals interested in joining the Xerxes team should visit the company’s contact page.

QUOTES

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, CMP
Deputy Director of Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
803.737.1998
aclark@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com

By David Swenson
Director, York County Econonomic Development 

It was an honor to represent the SC I-77 Alliance region at the world’s largest composites conference, JEC World 2023, held in Paris, France in late April. With over 40,000 attendees and 1,400 exhibitors from across the globe, the conference provided an excellent platform to network with industry leaders, gain insights into new technologies, and highlight the potential of our region in South Carolina.

In addition to learning about the latest developments in composites, I had the opportunity to hold several productive meetings with companies interested in conducting business in the United States, particularly in South Carolina. As the state is home to over 900 advanced material companies, the majority of which are owned by international entities, it’s evident that South Carolina is an ideal destination for global companies seeking to expand or relocate.

I had the pleasure of meeting David R. McCawley, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, and it was an honor to do so. It was encouraging to witness the strong relationship and connection between the South Carolina Department of Commerce team and the U.S. Department of Commerce as we work together to showcase the United States as a global leader in composites and advanced materials.

It was encouraging to witness the strong relationship and connection between the South Carolina Department of Commerce team and the U.S. Department of Commerce as we work together to showcase the United States as a global leader in composites and advanced materials.

A key takeaway from the conference is the significance of sustainability in the industry. Many composite companies are now exploring ways to incorporate recycled materials to enhance the end-of-life options for composite products. This is particularly important considering the growth of the automotive and aerospace sectors. As a result, South Carolina has enormous potential in the field of composites, and our region can play a vital role in this crucial industry.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – FN America, LLC (FN America), the United States subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A. and a global firearms manufacturer, today announced plans to expand its Richland County operations. The company’s $18 million investment will create approximately 102 new jobs.

With existing operations near Old Clemson Road in Columbia, FN America plans to expand its South Carolina-based production facility by adding approximately 40,000 square feet for manufacturing capacity, office space and a design center of excellence. This expansion will further the company’s research, design and engineering capabilities, and meet the increased demand for FN America products.

FN America is a valued partner to the U.S. Department of Defense, developing and manufacturing small arms for the U.S. military and its allies. In 1979, FN America broke ground on its facility in Richland County and officially opened operations in 1981 to manufacture the M240 medium machine gun under contract to the U.S. Army. FN America’s primary business focuses on the design and production of a wide range of small arms including lightweight machine guns, medium machine guns and additional weapons for the U.S. Department of Defense. Additionally, FN America produces firearms for law enforcement agencies as well as authorized retailers. Currently, the company employs more than 600 personnel in manufacturing, engineering, logistics, product and program management, and other areas.

The company plans to break ground in 2023 with an estimated completion date in the first half of 2024. Individuals interested in joining the FN America team should visit the company’s careers page at https://careers.fnamerica.com.

QUOTES

• FN America, LLC (FN America) is expanding its Richland County operations.
• The company’s $18 million investment will create approximately 102 new jobs.
• FN America is the U.S. subsidiary of FN Herstal, S.A., a global firearms manufacturer.
• FN America is located near Old Clemson Road in Columbia, S.C.
• Individuals interested in joining the FN America team should visit the company’s careers page at https://careers.fnamerica.com.

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

About FN America, LLC
Carry the Future® | FN America, LLC, the U.S. subsidiary of Belgium-based FN Herstal, S.A. provides U.S. military, law enforcement, and commercial customers with a complete range of state-of-the-art, groundbreaking solutions developed around small caliber firearms and associated ammunition under the FN brand name.

FN Herstal is the Defense & Security entity of Herstal Group that also includes a Hunting & Sports Shooting entity (Browning and Winchester Firearms* brand names) and operates globally.

FN product lines include portable firearms, less lethal systems, integrated weapon systems for air, land, and sea applications, remote weapon stations, small-caliber ammunition, as well as modern and cutting-edge solutions to provide enhanced combat, logistics, maintenance, and communication capabilities.

In addition to FN America – headquartered in McLean, VA, with manufacturing operations in Columbia, SC –, FN Herstal is the parent company of FNH UK in the UK and Noptel (optoelectronics) in Finland.

For more information on FN’s latest products, visit us at www.fnamerica.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

*Winchester Firearms is a registered trademark owned by the Olin Corporation.

FN AMERICA, LLC MEDIA CONTACT:
Kristina DeMilt
Public Relations Manager
FN America, LLC
media@fnamerica.com
www.fnamerica.com

Four major economic development wins for the I-77 corridor in South Carolina have set the stage for a memorable 2023 while demonstrating the significant opportunities it presents for existing industry and newcomers alike.

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In late February, IKO Industries announced that Chester County would be the location of their first operations in South Carolina with a $363 million capital investment, the largest investment in the company’s history. This project will create 180 new jobs in two phases through the reuse of a recently shuttered industrial plant and the construction of a new facility, both along the fast-growing S.C. Highway 9 industrial corridor. The company’s long-established niche aligns with one of the I-77 region’s strongest industry clusters, advanced materials products.

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Then on March 22, Albemarle Corporation said it would invest at least $1.3 billion to build a “Mega-Flex” lithium hydroxide processing facility on an 800-acre site, also near Richburg in Chester County. That project will create more than 300 new jobs and the facility is expected to produce approximately 50,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide to support the surging demand for electric vehicles.

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In early March, Scout Motors, a Volkswagen Group-backed spinoff, announced it would invest $2 billion and create up to 4,000 new jobs in Richland County to manufacture electric pickup trucks and SUVs under the Scout Motors brand at Blythewood Business Park off I-77. The impact of this development on the transportation equipment manufacturing sector, another strong industrial cluster in the five counties of the I-77 region, cannot be overstated.

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The fourth major announcement was from Cirba Solutions, which announced plans to build a lithium-ion battery recycling and materials campus at Pineview Industrial Park just off I-77 in southeastern Columbia in Richland County. The initial investment of $300 million is expected to lead to more than 300 new jobs and is one more big step toward South Carolina becoming a global player in the surging growth of electric vehicle production.

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I-77 Corridor is Ideal Location to Maximize ROI: Our “3 Uniques” from Columbia to Charlotte

The rationale for these four companies in selecting the same region (which technically is in two metropolitan areas) for substantial investments comes down to the same unique proposition, that the I-77 corridor is an ideal location for companies to maximize the ROI of their capex investment.

Our benefits can be distilled down to following points we call our “three uniques”:

1. Our remarkably strong portfolio of certified greenfield sites and industrial property
2. A labor shed of more than 1.3 million people across the dual metro regions of Charlotte and Columbia serving as bookends to our corridor.
3. A particularly high concentration of manufacturing operations, especially for predominantly rural areas such as Chester and Fairfield counties, resulting in the development of a workforce infrastructure that is continually stocking a pipeline of skilled labor.

There are few other regions, if any, with the same offering and these are in addition to the other numerous assets and resources offered by the region and the state of South Carolina. The announcements from IKO Industries, Cirba Solutions, Albemarle, and Scout Motors prove this claim and serve as testimonials to their peers.

The I-77 Corridor, with our business-friendly local governments, robust educational communities including a nationally recognized technical college and industry-specific skills training ecosystem, affordable and often shovel-ready industrial sites, and affordable residential real estate and attractive lifestyle opportunities – stands ready to work with recruiters and site selectors, company decision-makers, and other stakeholders to find the ideal home for their next project.

RICHBURG, SC – Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle), a global leader in transforming essential resources such as lithium and bromine into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health, today announced plans to establish South Carolina operations in Chester County. The company will invest at least $1.3 billion and create more than 300 new jobs to construct a new “Mega-Flex” lithium hydroxide processing facility. This facility will support the surging demand for electric vehicles and other energy storage applications that use lithium-ion batteries.

Albemarle is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and partners with customers to pioneer new ways to move, power, connect and protect, building a more resilient world where people and the planet thrive.  

Situated on nearly 800 acres near Richburg, Albemarle’s new “Mega-Flex” conversion facility will support the fast-growing global electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The term “Mega-Flex” refers to the facility’s ability to process diverse lithium feedstock, including lithium from recycled batteries. The new facility is expected to annually produce approximately 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from multiple sources, with the potential to reach up to 100,000 metric tons.

Construction is expected to begin in 2024. Individuals interested in joining the Albemarle 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 $9 million Rural Infrastructure Fund (RIF) grant to Chester County to assist with the costs of mitigation, site preparation and infrastructure improvements.

QUOTES

“Albemarle is focused on meeting growing customer demand and this investment is part of our global commitment to transforming essential resources into critical ingredients that enable a more resilient world. We wanted a location with access to nearby rail and port transportation and the availability of skilled workers. We’re excited to have chosen South Carolina and to be closer to our customers as the supply chain is built out in North America.”

–Albemarle Corporation Chief Executive Officer Kent Masters

“Albemarle’s commitment to our state, with its impressive investment of at least $1.3 billion, further proves South Carolina is one of the best places in the country for electric vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers to call home. We proudly welcome Albemarle and look forward to seeing their tremendous impact in Chester County and beyond.”

– Gov. Henry McMaster 

“Albemarle is a global leader in providing products and solutions that help advance innovation. The company’s significant investment in Chester County demonstrates to the world that South Carolina is poised to support resilient energy operations, especially the growing electric vehicle supply chain.”  

– Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“SC Ports is proud to support the fast-growing electric vehicle sector by providing efficient operations, reliable service and speed-to-market. Albemarle Corporation’s significant investment further expands the state’s electric vehicle capabilities and builds on the global connectivity within the Interstate-77 market.” 

– SC Ports President and Chief Executive Officer Barbara Melvin

“This investment from Albemarle and their history of forming strong community partnerships will positively impact the citizens of Chester County for generations to come. This global industry leader perfectly bridges our manufacturing heritage with technology for the future, making us the foundation for the U.S. EV industry. I am delighted to welcome Albemarle to Chester County!”       

-Chester County Council Chairman Joe Branham

“We are excited to welcome Albemarle to the I-77 region! Albemarle is a great fit for Chester County, which offers dual-rail capabilities through the L&C Railroad, a labor shed of 1.3 million people, and the ability to serve virtually any industrial natural gas load. With this announcement, the I-77 Alliance region is quickly becoming a corridor of R&D and innovation within the EV industry. We look forward to working with Albemarle as they establish operations in Chester County.”

-I-77 Alliance Interim President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher Finn

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Albemarle Corporation (Albemarle) is establishing South Carolina operations in Chester County and plans to build a state-of-the-art “Mega-Flex” lithium hydroxide processing facility.  
• At least $1.3 billion investment will create more than 300 new jobs.
• Albemarle is a global leader in providing essential elements for mobility, energy, connectivity and health.
• The facility is situated on nearly 800 acres near Richburg, S.C.
• Individuals interested in joining the Albemarle 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

About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) is a global leader in transforming essential resources such as lithium and bromine into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. Together with our world-class resources, technical and process knowledge, and safety and sustainability performance, we partner with our customers to pioneer new ways to move, power, connect, and protect. We are committed to building a more resilient world where people and planet thrive. Learn more about Albemarle at www.albemarle.com and at @albemarlecorp on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Albemarle regularly posts information to its website, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, non-GAAP reconciliations, SEC filings and other information regarding the company, its businesses and the markets it serves.

ALBEMARLE MEDIA CONTACT
Hailey Quinn
Communications Manager
Albemarle Corporation
980-299-5640
Hailey.Quinn@albemarle.com
www.albemarle.com

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