Headlines in the Midlands
2009 Annual Report from the Central SC Alliance
In economic times such as we are experiencing today, collaboration is even more crucial to success. We at the Central South Carolina Alliance are blessed to have a 16-year history of partnerships with the public and private sectors; relationships that have allowed our region to thrive as the nation's economy transforms.
Those partnerships helped us continue to draw new businesses to the region in 2009 — $358 million in new capital investment that created 1,686 jobs. This economic momentum has carried over into the first half of 2010 with over $100 million and 1,000 new jobs announced. Businesses such as Pure Power Technologies, DHL, Caterpillar, Verizon Wireless, Husqvarna, U.S. Foodservice and Akebono Brake either moved or expanded here because of the efforts of the Alliance, the South Carolina Department of Commerce and local governments, and because of the support of our investors.
| Date | Company | Type | Investment | Jobs | Type of Product/Service | County |
| 01.06.09 | Janpak | Exp. | $2,928,450 | 15 | Janitorial Product Distribution | Lexington |
| 01.29.09 | Triumph Tube Inc. | New | $3,500,000 | 40 | Cold Drawn Aluminum Tubing | Orangeburg |
| 03.03.09 | Sun Printing | Exp. | $6,000,000 | 50 | Digital Color Printing | Lexington |
| 03.10.09 | Shawmut Corporation | New | $2,200,000 | 30 | Textile Foam-in-Place Laminates | Kershaw |
| 03.16.09 | Synovus Corporation | New | $1,700,000 | 100 | Customer Service Center | Sumter |
| 03.19.09 | Trane | Exp. | $10,000,000 | 0 | Aluminum and Copper Coils for HVAC | Richland |
| 04.03.09 | US Food Service | Exp. | $0 | 100 | Food Distribution | Lexington |
| 04.23.09 | Sykes Enterprises | New | $1,800,000 | 400 | Customer Service Center | Sumter |
| 05.06.09 | Carl Zeiss Optronics USA | New | $0 | 5 | R&D for Optical Devices | Richland |
| 06.09.09 | Carolina Filters | Exp. | $3,000,000 | 20 | Air Filter Services | Sumter |
| 07.08.09 | Diamond Pet Foods | Exp. | $3,800,000 | 37 | Manufacturing Dog and Cat Food | Lexington |
| 07.12.09 | Triumph Apparel Corp. | New | $0 | 30 | Distribution of Ladies Fitness | Sumter |
| 07.30.09 | Koyo Corporation | Exp. | $10,000,000 | 0 | Bearings for the Automotive industry | Orangeburg |
| 08.19.09 | Unum Corporation | Exp. | $8,000,000 | 0 | Insurance Services | Richland |
| 09.28.09 | Dalkotech, Inc. | New | $600,000 | 50 | Robotic Machined and Welded Parts | Newberry |
| 10.08.09 | South University | Exp. | $5,270,000 | 18 | Pharmacy School | Richland |
| 10.09.09 | Sims Bark | Exp. | $5,000,000 | 0 | Mulch, Soil, Bagged Rocks | Orangeburg |
| 10.12.09 | DHL Global Forwarding | New | $1,500,000 | 400 | Customs Brokerage Facility | Lexington |
| 12.04.09 | Blue Cross Blue Shield | Exp. | $10,900,000 | 0 | Insurance | Richland |
| 12.09.09 | INVISTA | Exp. | $5,000,000 | 10 | R&D on Nylon Fiber | Kershaw |
| 12.10.09 | Verizon Wireless | Exp. | $40,000,000 | 0 | Call Center | Richland |
| 12.23.09 | Husqvarna | New | $2,500,000 | 50 | Distribution | Lexington |
| Confidential Investments | $235,245,000 | 331 | ||||
| Total | $358,943,450 | 1,686 |
They came because we continue to be successful in delivering our message about what makes Central South Carolina a great place to do business. From access to ports to airways to interstates, we offer 24-hour access to 70 percent of the U.S. population. Our skilled, dependable workers make up the state's largest labor pool. The University of South Carolina's Innovista research center has emerged as a leader in areas from health care to technology to clean energy.
We've also spent time in the past year preparing for the future, reaching out to companies across the United States, Canada and Europe so that when they're ready to expand, Central South Carolina will be foremost in their minds. We talked with 143 firms and sat down face-to-face with others for more extensive conversations. We hosted 10 corporate site selection consultants for a three-day familiarization tour so they could get an in-depth look at all Central South Carolina has to offer both as a business location and as a fantastic place to live. They all have been impressed.
2009 | 2010 Major Announcements
Akebono Brake Corporation will locate its new facility in Lexington County. The $35.6 million investment is expected to generate 283 new jobs over the next five years. Akebono recently purchased Bosch Chassis Systems Columbia and will locate its new operations to that facility in West Columbia.
DHL Global Forwarding North America, the leader in global forwarding and supply chain logistics, announced the opening of their new state-of-the-art facility in West Columbia, SC. The new processing center provides DHL customers with a consistent account management team and proactive monitoring of their shipments.
Kaydon Corporation announced that it will be expanding its Sumter, South Carolina operations to meet the growing demand for its custom bearings. The net capital investment of $3.6 million will create at least 75 jobs in Sumter. Since 2006, Kaydon has added over 100 new jobs and invested over $27 million in new equipment in Sumter, as it expanded to support its military, machinery, semiconductor, and renewable energy businesses to meet market demands.
Navistar Inc. (Pure Power Technologies) announced the finalization of an agreement to acquire certain assets and the membership interests of Continental Diesel Systems U.S. LLC, to manufacture key fuel injection components for its MaxxForce® diesel engines. Based in Columbia, Pure Power Technologies will operate a research and development center there as well as a manufacturing plant in nearby Blythewood. This acquisition preserved jobs that would have otherwise been lost due to the announced closure of the Continental facility. The company's new venture at the Columbia Technical Center will ensure the continued delivery of innovative MaxxForce® brand engines.
Koyo Corporation U.S.A. announced it will increase its investment in its Orangeburg County facility. The company will invest approximately $10 million in land, building and/or equipment to preserve existing employment levels. Koyo Corporation of U.S.A., which opened its Orangeburg facility in 1975, is a major supplier of bearings to the automotive industry. The company is a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier to Toyota, Honda, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler and BMW.Caterpillar announced plans to increase operations at its facility in Newberry County. The company expects employment to increase by about 500 people as a result of the capacity expansion project. The Newberry facility currently produces a full range of diesel gensets under 200 kW for the North American market. These gensets are typically used as backup power for smaller retail operations, homes, farms and in municipal applications.
Husqvarna will locate a parts distribution operation in Lexington County. The company anticipates investing more than $2.5 million and will be the principal tenant in the newly constructed Midway Logistics Building. The company also currently operates a manufacturing facility in Orangeburg County that will support this new operation in Lexington County. Husqvarna is the world's largest producer of lawn mowers, chainsaws and portable gasoline powered garden equipment such as trimmers and blowers. The Husqvarna Group is also a world leader in diamond tools and cutting equipment for the construction and stone industries and operates a facility in Richland County.
We thank all our partners and investors for their ongoing support as we continue to work hand-in-hand to bring projects and prosperity to Central South Carolina.
Mark G. Simmons, a native South Carolinian, was born in Columbia and grew up in the upstate town of Anderson, SC. Mr. Simmons received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Clemson University in 1983. Graduating summa cum laude, he continued his academic studies and received a Masters of City and Regional Planning from Clemson University in 1985. Mr. Simmons has continued post-graduate studies at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, the University of South Carolina and is a 1990 graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma. He has also been a guest lecturer at Clemson University and the Tate Center for Entrepreneurship at the College of Charleston.
Mr. Simmons currently serves as the Executive Vice President for the Central South Carolina Alliance. In recognition of his expertise and knowledge of the field of economic development, Mr. Simmons was awarded the designation of Certified Economic Developer by the International Economic Development Council in 1991.
Mr. Simmons and his wife, Maureen, presently reside in Columbia, SC.
