County Spotlight: Economic Development

NEW JOBS, INVESTMENT SHOW COUNTY MAKING ECONOMIC STRIDES

BY THE NUMBERS: Since 2015, the Economic Development Office has announced 32 new projects representing $885 million in capital investment and more than 3,100 jobs.

Through combined efforts to attract new industry and help existing companies with potential expansion, Richland County’s Economic Development Office aims to benefit residents by generating meaningful job opportunities and new wealth.

The County has made major strides in drawing new industry to the area in recent years. In 2016, landing fiberglass manufacturer China Jushi resulted in 400 new jobs and a $300 million investment, the second-largest capital investment in County history. Other recent successes include the recruitment of Charter NEX Films, which netted 120 jobs and $89 million in capital investment. The Wisconsin-based company manufactures consumer goods packaging.

Both projects are a testament to the forward-thinking work of the County’s Economic Development Office to spur economic growth. China Jushi came after the County purchased the Pineview Industrial Park in 2012, while Charter NEX Films followed the purchase of 103-acre Carolina Pines Industrial Park in 2016. This commitment to land and infrastructure investment makes Richland County a favorable location for major businesses.

Such investments have continued, with the Economic Development Office purchasing more than 1,300 acres in Blythewood in 2019 to develop a new business park. The Blythewood Business Park aims to give the County another competitive advantage in drawing major companies to the area.

Along with attracting new industry, Richland County’s Economic Development Office strives to foster partnerships with existing businesses to help them grow. Trane unveiled a $100 million expansion of its Northeast Richland facility in 2019, making it one of the largest expansions of manufacturing jobs in County history. The project had been in the works for two years for Trane, a maker of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units.