Industry Appreciation: Collaboration leads to unprecedented economic development

Like the beautiful springtime in the Carolinas, Orangeburg County is seeing its hard work of infrastructure and capital investment developing into beautiful plants and announcements.

With more than 930,000 square feet (leading the Midlands) of new industrial space in the last 15 months, our time is now and the best is yet to come.

Over the last decade, Orangeburg County has become even more pro-business with an outstanding workforce, strong training programs and great proximity to the interstates and the Port of Charleston.

Now our citizens are reaping these benefits.

The number of prospects (company leaders taking a close look at Orangeburg County) is the highest in five years and unemployment is the lowest in a decade. We continue to target industries like aerospace, transportation, logistics, automotive, plastics, textiles, agribusiness and energy.

During the last year, we have welcomed companies from around the globe. There are now 17 international companies representing 12 foreign countries within the county, with more than 5,000 employees, ranking in the top 10 for the state per capita.

Examples of these new global companies include China-based textile manufacturer Labon, which chose Orangeburg for its first U.S. plant, and Inbra Chemicals from Brazil, which is constructing a new facility on U.S. 21.

Swedish company Husqvarna, the world’s largest producer of outdoor products, also announced a $29 million building expansion on top of a $40 million commitment for new machinery and equipment/expansion.

U.S.-based companies locating or expanding in Orangeburg County include: Carolina Chips, a $36 million facility in Holly Hill; IPS Packaging, which is constructing a 50,000-square-foot facility in the Orangeburg County/City Industrial Park; Colorado-based aerospace supplier Aeridyne; Texas-based metal fabrication company Ameripipe Supply, and wood products company Dempsey.

It’s staggering to realize we’ve had close to 1 million square feet of new construction in the last 15 months as Orangeburg County quickly has become a top business location in the Midlands.

Future growth is constantly on our radar too. We recently finished construction on our new 75,000-square-foot speculative building with 32 feet clear height at Matthews Industrial Park.

Another exciting growth area is solar farms, which have brought the county more than $200 million in investments from companies including Tradewinds, Southern Current and Narenco Solar. Orangeburg County is becoming one of South Carolina’s leading centers for renewable energy and is helping reshape the state’s energy future.

As we welcome new solar farms, we also know that a healthy agricultural community is a necessary part of creating a well-rounded and economically diverse community, so we are taking deliberate steps to more closely align our industrial and agricultural businesses, which ultimately will benefit both.

With all our success, the key ingredient is still collaboration, which Orangeburg County is seeing at encouraging new levels between the county and our 17 municipalities with the One Orangeburg County Initiative.

A group of mayors is working to raise the bar on education with the goal of giving citizens greater access to well-paying jobs. The county also has more than 100 new infrastructure projects that will be funded by the Capital Penny Sales Tax IV, paving the way for new economic development.

Furthermore, the One Orangeburg County Initiative is bringing together hundreds of people committed to making our community an even better place to live, work and play.

As industry grows, commercial retail develops too, benefiting everyone.

In the City of Orangeburg alone, the former Prince of Orange Mall is being renovated in preparation for potential tenants and potentially new commercial shopping areas are under construction.

Texas-based Golden Chick opened its first franchise in Orangeburg County, construction is underway for German discount grocery chain Lidl (first in South Carolina) and Kentucky Fried Chicken returned to the Orangeburg market, just to name a few.

We are proud that Orangeburg County has created a second-to-none environment that attracts businesses.

In addition, I’m proud to be part of such a supportive community with committed leaders. Our economic development work would not be possible without the support we receive from so many community leaders, allies and taxpaying citizens.

Our team at OCDC is excited to build on this strong momentum.

In fact, there are several new projects in the pipeline I wish I could tell you about now.

While it’s too soon to disclose the details, I can tell you I’m confident Orangeburg County will continue to rise to new heights and truly make you proud to call her home.