7 new economic projects totaling $257 million move forward in Spartanburg County

Bob Montgomery, Herald-Journal
·2 min read
Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, right, said Monday the county is on track to exceed last year's totals for economic development. At left is Manning Lynch, the chairman of County Council.
Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt, right, said Monday the county is on track to exceed last year's totals for economic development. At left is Manning Lynch, the chairman of County Council.

Seven economic projects with a total investment of $257.6 million and 78 new jobs moved forward at Monday's meeting of Spartanburg County Council.

County Councilman David Britt, who chairs the economic development committee, said the county is on pace to outperform last year's economic success.

"The first six months of the year we have almost $1 billion invested in Spartanburg County," Britt said at Monday's meeting. "We're on track to set a record."

Britt said Tuesday there has been a total of $926.6 million worthy of projects with 302 new jobs announced this year.

"This is an incredible statement of Spartanburg County's strength and worldwide acclaim when it comes to economic development," he said. "Our quality of place is sending the message that we truly are One Spartanburg."

Last year saw a record 44 new projects with $1.9 billion in capital investment, along with 4,045 new jobs, according to projects tracked by OneSpartanburg, Inc.

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According to Allen Smith, president and CEO of OneSpartanburg, Inc., the 2021 total equates to $5.4 million invested and 11 new jobs every single day.

The companies behind the latest projects are seeking agreements with the county that reduce their property tax rate to 6%. The standard rate is 10.5%.

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The projects are typically code-named until the company's identity is revealed by the third and final reading needed for approval. The tax agreements, called fee in leu, are used by the county as a recruiting tool and also to entice existing companies to expand.

Those receiving the first of three readings needed for final approval  include Project House, $86.2 million investment; Project Carrot, $70 million; Apex, $23 million; Trip North, $27.8 million.

A second reading was approved for Project Hillside 290, with a planned investment of $28.5 million.

Third and final readings were approved for Project Orange, identified as Celanese Ltd., 14335 Highway 221 in Enoree, a $13.4 million investment; and Project Denver, identified as Magna Energy Storage Systems, 700 Buffington Road, Spartanburg, an $8.7 million investment with 78 jobs planned.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: 7 new economic projects totaling $257M move forward in Spartanburg