Economic Development in South Carolina

[Amapper]

The county certainly needs something like this. Very good news indeed.

[krazeeboi]

Krah NA, which specializes in the production and development of machines for manufacturing plastics pipes, punching, and bending tools, recently announced its intention to locate the company

[Spartan]

Greenwood is a fascinating place to me. They seem to have a pretty good economy even in spite of their location.

[GvilleSC]

Some possible bad news for another SC based company. I hear that Publix is in negotiation with Bilo to buy them out. Could we be losing another HQ and company??? Hopefully my source is wrong or it won't go through... Bilo seems to be getting some things right these days and I'm looking forward to our first Super Bilo opening soon. Anyone have any news on this?

[Spartan]

I thought they already did that (like two years ago)?

[goodbye]

BI-LO and Bruno's were sold by Ahold (a large Dutch company) to Lone Star Funds of Dallas, which now has BI-LO and its 230 stores up for sale. I haven't heard anything about a deal yet, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Publix buy them out.

Edit: provided link

Edited May 19, 2007 by Skyliner

[sonofaque86]

Here are unemployment numbers by counties from March to April...

County April March Change

1 Marlboro 11.7 11.3 0.4

2 Marion 11.6 11.8 -0.2

3 Allendale 10.4 11.3 -0.9

4 Chester 10.1 10.1 0.0

5 McCormick 9.9 10.8 -0.9

6 Fairfield 9.8 7.8 2.0

7 Williamsburg 9.1 9.2 -0.1

8 Barnwell 8.8 9.2 -0.4

9 Union 8.7 9.1 -0.4

10 Dillon 8.6 8.6 0.0

11 Chesterfield 8.4 8.5 -0.1

Lancaster 8.4 8.3 0.1

13 Clarendon 8.3 8.5 -0.2

Lee 8.3 8.6 -0.3

15 Bamberg 8.1 8.7 -0.6

16 Abbeville 7.9 8.4 -0.5

17 Orangeburg 7.5 8.3 -0.8

18 Cherokee 7.0 7.1 -0.1

Greenwood 7.0 7.2 -0.2

20 Oconee 6.9 7.3 -0.4

21 Sumter 6.8 7.0 -0.2

22 Laurens 6.4 6.7 -0.3

23 Georgetown 6.3 6.8 -0.5

Hampton 6.3 6.9 -0.6

25 Darlington 6.2 6.7 -0.5

Edgefield 6.2 6.0 0.2

27 Florence 6.1 6.4 -0.3

28 Anderson 5.7 6.0 -0.3

Colleton 5.7 6.1 -0.4

30 Newberry 5.6 6.1 -0.5

Saluda 5.6 5.5 0.1

32 Calhoun 5.5 6.0 -0.5

Spartanburg 5.5 5.8 -0.3

34 York 5.3 5.2 0.1

35 Kershaw 5.1 5.3 -0.2

36 Aiken 4.9 5.0 -0.1

Richland 4.9 5.6 -0.7

38 Greenville 4.6 5.0 -0.4

Pickens 4.6 5.2 -0.6

40 Berkeley 4.4 4.9 -0.5

Jasper 4.4 5.0 -0.6

42 Beaufort 4.3 4.6 -0.3

43 Horry 4.2 5.0 -0.8

44 Dorchester 4.1 4.6 -0.5

45 Charleston 3.9 4.3 -0.4

46 Lexington 3.8 4.2 -0.4

[krazeeboi]

Looks like some of the biggest drops happened in counties that already have high figures to begin with, which is a good thing.

[GvilleSC]

More good news for South Carolina. Mark Sanford signed an agreement with leaders from China to make the state the preferred location in the US for future investment. It was signed today at the Global Trade Park in Greenville. This should bode well for the Global Trade Park, and could mean more development along the Boom Belt, as well as other locations throughout the state.

More jobs in SC's future.

[GvilleSC]

Of course, with the good comes the bad. Honeywell in Anderson County is closing, leaving 168 workers jobless.

Anderson Independent Mail

Here's the link to the previous post's article in The Greenville News:

Sanford Hosting China Trade Forum

[gs3]

More good news for South Carolina. Mark Sanford signed an agreement with leaders from China to make the state the preferred location in the US for future investment. It was signed today at the Global Trade Park in Greenville. This should bode well for the Global Trade Park, and could mean more development along the Boom Belt, as well as other locations throughout the state.

^ The Chinese signed an agreement for the purchase of railway track maintenance equipment with Harsco's of West Columbia which should lead to some additional jobs.

http://www.thestate.com/136/story/69291.html

But in some less than good news, Net Bank, an online lender with some operations in Columbia is laying off 120 as it closes and sells operations. 200 others have uncertain futures.

http://www.thestate.com/136/story/69292.html

[krazeeboi]

Well geesh, can we win for losing? Last week, it was also announced that Mikasa Inc. in Charleston was shutting its doors, leaving 175 people out of work.

[goodbye]

Another Anderson plant, Santens of America, Inc. also announced last week that it will be closing soon, leaving 250 workers without a job.

[krazeeboi]

OK, I'm putting a moratorium on posting job losses for now.

[jaxpalmer]

sorry guys, didn't mean to derail the thread there. back on topic: does anyone have any info. on the incentives that were offered for google to locate that data center to goose creek? i'd like to compare them to the extremely over the top incentives nc gave google for the data center there.

[Spartan]

The young professionals discussion has been moved here:

http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=38601

[Charleston native]

sorry guys, didn't mean to derail the thread there. back on topic: does anyone have any info. on the incentives that were offered for google to locate that data center to goose creek? i'd like to compare them to the extremely over the top incentives nc gave google for the data center there.

Hey Jax, check out this thread for more information on Google. Some incentives were given by the state, but Berkeley County made sure they received some revenue from the company. The link should send you to page 5 of the thread.

[GvilleSC]

Greenville based Park Place is aquiring a Pennsylvania mattress maker. It's not bringing any jobs to SC right now, but it's good to see a SC based company growing and what may mean jobs and expansion in state down the road.

Link

Edited May 30, 2007 by GvilleSC

[goodbye]

Some pretty significant economic news was released earlier today for the Upstate: The 2008 Bassmaster Classic, known by its followers as the "Super Bowl" event for the industry, will be hosted by Greenville with the actual fishing events to take place on Lake Hartwell and Lake Keowee. The event is expected to pump around $23 Million into the local economy and bring thousands of visitors to the city. ESPN2 is devoting 13 hours of programming to the tournament and the ESPN Outdoors Classic Expo will be held at The Carolina First Center with free admission. The weigh-ins will be held at the BI-LO Center.

GreenvilleOnline.com

ESPN

[GvilleSC]

70 more jobs for Greenville county in the automotive industry. Datran is a Canadian company (more international investment). The best part is that the new plant, which they hope to open by November, will be in currently vacant building. Edited June 1, 2007 by GvilleSC

[goodbye]

Datran: Official press release from the SC Department of Commerce

Sealed Air Corporation's new Call Center: Article from GreenvilleOnline.com says between 100 and 150 will be employed at the new office in the Independence Point Corporate Park. The new center is a result of the consolidation the company's North American customer service offices.

[krazeeboi]

This article is interesting. It seems that a Greenville consultant thinks South Carolina stands a good chance of recruiting an automotive manufacturing plant that a Canadian company says it may build.

The only line that had me worried was about Alabama. I think they are clearly the automotive center of the South, and they have a good track record when it comes to landing big projects like this.

[Charleston native]

RhodesDahl is relocating its HQ to DT Charleston. RhodesDahl provides total management services such as planning, design, and construction phases of project development to nonprofit organizations.

The headquarters office will be located at 180 East Bay St., Suite 300. The company will continue to maintain its West Coast office in San Francisco.

Management company moving headquarters to Charleston

[Spartan]

Thats that kind of company Charleston needs more of.

[krazeeboi]

Custom Fibers, Inc. recently announced its intention to locate its new manufacturing facility in Sumter. The company will manufacture polyester fiber used in automotive, furniture, and carpet applications from its facility in Sumter. The plant is expected to begin operations in the spring of 2008.

Datran recently announced its intention to locate its U.S. facility in the town of Piedmont. The company will invest $5 million dollars and anticipates the creation of 70 new jobs at its U.S. operations in Greenville County.

Mathson Industries recently announced its new South Carolina manufacturing facility in Greenwood County. Mathson Industries is a global minority supplier providing design, engineering, and manufacturing of components and systems. The company will invest $5 million in the new facility in the town of Hodges, and expects to create approximately 50 new jobs as a result of the investment.