Spartanburg Area Economic Developments

[rancenc]

Large development coming to Cherokee County.

https://www.ajot.com/news/glenstar-expands-into-industrial-development-in-us-southeast-spring-groundbreaking-for-290-acre-warehouse-park-in-upstate-south-carolina

[westsider28]

The previously allocated $6.2M in County ARPA funds that was dedicated to supporting and creating more small and minority owned businesses has been formalized with branding and specific resources.  It's called Power Up Spartanburg. The 5-year program has 9 steps and includes $2.5 million for grants which will begin this summer, encouraging developers to create more small storefronts in downtowns, offering free mentorship, an online resource hub and connecting small business to big business.  Spartanburg is 30% behind the national average when it comes to black-owned businesses, so this is much-needed.

Fox Carolina article

UBJ article 

P&C article 

Edited March 23, 2023 by westsider28
Added articles

[gman430]

TIME Bicycles coming to Spartanburg: 

https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/local/2023/03/23/spartanburg-lands-time-bicycles-largest-carbon-fiber-bicycle-factory-business-jobs/70042475007/?fbclid=IwAR3SCrXo1b9xdiMREo32uJzJHn1CnF4zGrkCM5KpsjsqSvQODnCjMGmJhZA&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Edited March 23, 2023 by gman430

[gman430]

Toray to reopen with 350 new jobs and $600 million investment: 

https://www.wspa.com/news/local-news/global-manufacturing-plant-set-to-reopen-with-600m-investment-and-350-new-jobs/

[KJHburg]

This is the most important economic development project ever in SC in my estimation.   The BMW plant in Spartanburg County. 

  I finally took the tour and visited the museum.  It was awesome and I have toured 2 Toyota plants (TX and KY)  and one Boeing plant (WA)   

8 Million square feet on their campus

11,000 employees started with 700 in the early 1990s

Cafeteria which does include a German food section seats 1000

1500 trucks making deliveries every day due to their just in time inventory (and many suppliers here in NC) 

60% of the vehicles produced exported through Charleston (87% of the exports here) and lesser through Brunswick and Jacksonville

50% of the energy needed at the plant comes from methane gas from a landfill 8 miles away to their energy plant

2 fire stations on site

tour guide hinted engine production currently in England come come over here too.

Well worth the $10 

Employee parking lot full of BMWs and pick up trucks.  

https://www.bmwgroup-werke.com/spartanburg/en.html   average vehicle takes 28 hours from start to finish

No photography allowed inside the plant or you will be detained!    Heavy usage of robotics doing everything from installing hatches, hoods, doors etc but still 11,000 humans running around. Plant operates 24/7 

If you live in the area and have not toured this plant you need to make reservations and do it soon.  

[NotNotSanti]

Thank you for sharing! We wouldn't be where we are today apart from BMW. Will have to do the tour myself! Great pics.

[vicupstate]

Thanks for the info. Did they mention how much energy for the plant was solar produced?

[westsider28]

First jobs announcement of the year: Omron Automation, an automation solution provider, will establish its first South Carolina operation at 311 Grenoble Road in Greer.  The company will invest $9.2 million, creating 162 new jobs.  Operations should be online in April.  (Fox Carolina story, UBJ article)

Edited February 8 by westsider28
Added more details