economic development

[CHESTER COUNTY, S.C., January 13, 2022] – The E. & J. Gallo project in Chester County, which is of regional significance to the entire Catawba region, was recently recognized by two national publications.  Trade & Industry Development awarded the project a CiCi Award and Business Facilities honored the project with a Deal of the Year… Continue Reading »

LANCASTER, S.C. – Chief Buildings, a subsidiary of Chief Industries, Inc. and a premier metal building system manufacturer, today announced plans to establish operations in Lancaster County. The company’s $22.1 million investment will create 102 new jobs over the next five years. Founded in 1966, Chief Buildings is a nationwide leader in low-rise, non-residential metal… Continue Reading »

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Westinghouse, a leading global supplier of safe and innovative nuclear technology, today announced plans to support and grow operations in Richland County. The company is investing $131 million into the project. Operating in South Carolina since 1969, the Westinghouse Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) in Hopkins houses fuel manufacturing, product engineering, testing laboratories… Continue Reading »

COLUMBIA, S.C. – AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe Company, a subsidiary of AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company, today announced plans to expand operations in Richland County. The $40 million investment will create 100 new jobs. AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe Company manufactures steel pipe in diameters up to 144 inches. Spiral-welded steel pipe applications include transmission, distribution and collection… Continue Reading »

Steven Pearce is in his first few months as President and CEO of the South Carolina I-77 Alliance yet already has deep experience here and a clear vision for how the Alliance can broaden its ability to encourage new and expanding industry in the dynamic corridor between Charlotte and Columbia. Pearce joins the Alliance from… Continue Reading »

COLUMBIA, S.C. – AVANTech, LLC, a wastewater and radioactive waste treatment solutions provider, today announced plans to expand operations in Richland County. The more than $3.6 million investment will create 17 new jobs. Founded in 1999 in South Carolina, the company provides innovative technology and turnkey services for its custom, operator-friendly systems. AVANTech, LLC creates… Continue Reading »

Recently, when the New York Times profiled a report from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on revamped job-growth projections in a post-pandemic landscape, we took that opportunity to review what those numbers say about economic prospects here in the five counties comprising the South Carolina I-77 Region. As it turns out, the sectors… Continue Reading »

The year just past turned out to be quite a success for industrial recruiting in the five counties comprising the South Carolina I-77 Alliance and sets the stage for more to come during 2021.

As companies scour the United States searching for their next facility’s ideal site, dozens of variables are used to rank and eliminate prospective communities. Those making it to the short list are locations that can maximize return on investment (ROI) while minimizing risk. Certain variables, such as workforce, transportation access, and business costs are ubiquitous… Continue Reading »

We’re going to let the data do the driving in 2020. You can call that our New Year’s resolution but it’s really the new strategic focus the South Carolina I-77 Alliance is adopting to identify and market to prospective new industries that could benefit from the advantages our five-county corridor offers. While still relying on… Continue Reading »