Six companies investing $99.5 million, creating 511 jobs in Anderson County, what to know
Six companies announced significant projects in late 2023 and 2024 in Anderson County, which are expected to spur economic growth in the Upstate in 2025 and beyond.
Structural Systems, Vertiv, Michelin, Halton MEI, Harbor Freight, and HS Buildco pledged capital investments of $99.5 million and $37.1 million in annual payroll.
These projects are anticipated to create 511 jobs in the area.
Industrial engineers, technologists, laborers, supervisors, machinists, and technicians are among the Top 20 occupational openings in Anderson County.
Here are the companies and their investment details.
On December 15, 2023, Carolina Structural Systems, a company that manufactures structural wood component systems to complete single-family, multi-family, or light commercial projects, announced its decision to establish its first South Carolina facility in Anderson County.
The company purchased a 30,000-square-foot building on Amity Road in Anderson to better serve Upstate South Carolina and Atlanta.
Its $4.7 million expansion investment has created 60 new jobs.
Jobs included production workers, line leaders, truss builders, sawyers, setup personnel, quality inspectors, and material handlers.
Additionally, there are opportunities for maintenance technicians and administrative roles such as office staff or sales representatives.
Carolina Structural Systems started in Star, North Carolina, with its main office and manufacturing plant.
Today, the company has a plant in Anderson and will open a third plant near Emporia, Virginia, in the fall of 2025.
On September 24, 2024, Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, announced its decision to expand its operations into Anderson County.
The company invested $1 million to lease a 215,000-square-foot second manufacturing facility in Pelzer.
This expansion will enhance Vertiv’s ability to meet increasing product and service demand.
It will create 300 new jobs.
Vertiv offers employment opportunities in manufacturing, engineering, and logistics.
In addition to the recently opened Pelzer facility, Vertiv also has a switchgear and busbar manufacturing facility in Anderson.
Vertiv has taken up 250,000 square feet of a 500,000-square-foot building on the west side, said Burriss Nelson, director of economic development.
This expansion highlights the strategic use of available industrial space to accommodate their growing production needs.
Interested applicants can visit vertiv.com/careers for information on available roles and how to apply. For more information about Vertiv solutions, visit Vertiv.com.
Vertiv was founded in 1946 by Ralph Liebert as Capitol Refrigeration Industries. Since then, the company has evolved to focus on developing vital applications for digital and data-driven businesses.
Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, the company operates in more than 130 countries.
On April 16, 2024, Michelin, a leading tire manufacturer, announced its decision to expand its operations in Anderson County.
Michelin invested $58 million to expand its facility operations.
This expansion will create 51 full-time jobs with an average salary of $31.50 per hour.
Michelin Tire Manufacturing Company opened its first plant in Anderson in 1974.
About 15 years later, the company’s headquarters moved from Lake Success, New York, to Greenville.
According to a study by the University of South Carolina, Michelin employs nearly 10,000 South Carolinians, adding $266 billion to the state’s revenue.
Michelin employs 9,518 South Carolinians, mostly in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, or Lexington.
Indirectly, Michelin contributes to more than 24,000 jobs, the study found.
Michelin’s first manufacturing site, US2, broke ground in 1973 in Anderson.
It was followed by two Greenville locations, US0 and US1, then US3 in Spartanburg and US5 in Lexington.
Over the years, Michelin has invested over $750 million in Anderson County.
On July 23, 2024, a USA, Finland-based company specializing in indoor environment products for the marine, energy, and heavy industry sectors announced it had chosen Anderson County as the site of its first manufacturing facility in South Carolina.
Halton MEI’s $2.6 million investment has resulted in 65 new jobs in the county.
The company has leased a 39,000-square-foot space at 120 Exchange Logistics Park Drive in Piedmont for its operations.
The Class A industrial building features immediate access to I-85 and 11 dock door locations.
This newly opened facility will serve Halton’s clients in the U.S.’s marine, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Operations were expected to be online in August 2024, Halton said.
Founded in 1969 in Finland, Halton Group operates in nearly 40 countries globally.
“Halton Marine has been in the USA for four years; however, we have imported all the goods and products we sell here,” said Aulis Koivisto, director of Strategic Business Development.
“Anderson County’s location makes it ideal since it provides access to major highways, which will facilitate the movement of products and resources,” Koivisto said.
The Anderson facility marks the company’s 15th manufacturing unit.
On November 7, 2024, Harbor Freight Tools, a leading retailer of value-priced tools and equipment, announced it had also decided to establish its next innovation facility in Anderson County.
The company plans to lease the 76,171-square-foot research, development, and innovation facility at 130 Frontage Road in Piedmont.
This $30 million investment will create 36 jobs and is expected to stimulate the local economy.
Operations are anticipated to begin in late 2025.
For more information and to apply to join the Harbor Freight Tools team, visit the company’s careers page.
Harbor Freight Tools was founded in 1977 by Eric Smidt. The company began as a small mail-order tool business in North Hollywood, California.
The company distributes various products, including hand, power, automotive, and industrial tools.
It has more than 1,500 locations nationwide.
Harbor Freight Tools established its first South Carolina operation, a distribution center in Dillon County, in 2002.
On November 19, 2024, at the Anderson County Council meeting, leaders amended ordinance 2024-045, an agreement to develop a joint county industrial and business park (2010 Park) of Anderson and Greenville Counties to enlarge the boundaries.
County leaders announced that HS Buildco, a construction company, was investing $5 million in Anderson and Greenville counties through its projects at 18 Red Fox Blvd and 121A/B+123 Prosperity Blvd.
The investment period spans five years with an assessment ratio of 6%, contributing to the Anderson, Greenville Joint County Industrial and Business Park, according to project documents.
This initiative is expected to boost economic development and provide new regional opportunities.
“These are spec buildings being built by a local developer, a family-owned company, that brought $5 million initially in capital investment,” said Nelson, director of economic development.
“The initial 30,000-square-foot building, along with additional buildings including a 70,000-square-foot building and several properties owned by this developer, present a business opportunity,” Nelson said.
“This is a Greenville project that hasn’t been officially named yet but is moving forward under a multi-county park agreement,” Nelson said.
The intent is to build as many as 70,000-square-foot facilities on I-85 and allow us to recruit companies to Anderson County, Nelson said.
The capital investment for HS Buildco expansion is set at $5 million.
Last year, the taxes paid on this site amounted to $10,000; however, with the new developments, the expected taxes in 2025 or 2026 will increase by an additional $14,000, Nelson said.
The proposal for HS Buildco expansion and the associated tax incentives were put to a vote by the county council. It was unanimously approved.
Additional notable economic development investments from 2024 include the following.
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RunVirt, LLC opened a new facility at 933 Highway 29 S, Suite D. RunVirt prints race bibs, the company also provides other services for running events. For more information about RunVirt, please visit their website at www.runvirt.com.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: What to know about 6 major projects expected to boost Anderson economy