Category: News Releases

Celebrate Anderson’s 25th Anniversary

Posted on July 1, 2024 by - Events, News Releases, Tourism

For 25 years, Anderson County has invited the community to “Celebrate Anderson” by hosting a free concert and fireworks show at the William A. Floyd Amphitheater over the Labor Day Weekend.  This year, in honor of reaching the 25th anniversary milestone, friends and family can enjoy two big nights of entertainment along with vendors, food trucks, and fun for all ages.  Anderson County, WSSL, and WESC are excited to welcome national touring artists Randy Houser on Saturday, August 31, and Ashley McBryde on Sunday, September 1.

“Anderson County is thrilled to expand headlining concerts on both Saturday and Sunday,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns.  “Celebrate Anderson has been something families can look forward to being free for 25 years, and we are thankful for the continued support of our partners at Michelin and Arthrex in making this possible.”

Both concerts are FREE but do require a free ticket to enter. Organizers are expecting both events to reach capacity and encourage fans to get tickets early. You can secure your ticket beginning at 10:00 am EST at www.andersonevents.com.

 Lawn tickets are for fans who wish to bring their blankets and chairs to set up on the lawn. Standing Room Only tickets are for those who want to stand up close to the stage where chairs are not permitted. Fans are reminded that securing the free tickets helps organizers best prepare and communicate important information to ticket holders about the event.

“Ashley McBryde is an incredible talent; she recently co-hosted CMA fest in Nashville; she is a Grammy, CMA, and ACM winner and was nominated for her membership to the Grand Ole Opry by Country Legend Garth Brooks. She is currently touring with her latest album; The Devil I Know. We are thrilled to welcome her to Anderson and know she will put on an incredible show,” Kix Layton, Vice President of Programming at iHeart Media said. “And Randy is an exceptional singer-songwriter who never fails to impress a live audience; he will raise the roof of that amphitheater on Saturday night,” Kix continued, “It’s honestly hard to believe that shows of this caliber are free and open to all. Way to go, Anderson County!”

For more information about sponsorship and vendor opportunities at Celebrate Anderson, please email Adrienne Cole, celebrateanderson@andersoncountysc.org

 

About Anderson County Sports and Entertainment Center:  ASEC is a live event and festival venue featuring a 12,000-capacity amphitheater, civic center, and park. The sports fields schedule numerous sporting tournaments, family reunions, and special events.  The festival grounds also host the annual fair, hot air balloon events, and the largest music festival in the upstate, Rock the Country.

Learn more at www.andersonevents.com

 

Link to both event tickets here.

 

Artist approved images and event assets may be found here.

About Ashley McBryde: GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM award winner Ashley McBryde cut her teeth playing country songs in biker bars – and it shows. The Grand Ole Opry member’s 2018 major label debut Girl Going Nowhere (Warner Music Nashville) charmed The New York Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, Paste, The Washington Post, and more, all en route to landing a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album.

McBryde closed out 2019 with ACM New Female Artist, CMT Breakout Artist, a New Artist of the Year win at the 53rd Annual CMA Awards, and two nominations for the 2020 Grammys for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” Her follow-up Never Will was tagged by Rolling Stone as one of the most anticipated of the year alongside NPR, who also ranked her Top 10 RIAA Platinum-Certified single “One Night Standards” as one of the best songs of 2019. The album earned McBryde a 2021 GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, making Never Will the only album nominated for Country Album of the Year by the ACMs, CMAs, and the Recording Academy in the same award season.

Her GRAMMY-winning duet with Carly Pearce, “Never Wanted To Be That Girl,” went all the way to No. 1 and earned McBryde and Pearce the ACM and CMA award for Musical Event of the Year. McBryde was also honored with the 2022 CMA International Artist Achievement Award for the most significant creative growth, development, and promotion of the country music industry outside of the United States. Her collaborative project Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville featuring Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Pillbox Patti, Caylee Hammack, Aaron Raitiere and Benjy Davis earned McBryde her third consecutive GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album, making her a six-time GRAMMY nominee. Upon its release, Ashley McBryde Presents: Lindeville garnered applause from The New York Times, NPR, Variety, Vulture, Esquire, Rolling Stone, Billboard and Stereogum, among many more.

With 11 songs all co-written by the Arkansas native, The Devil I Know is available now, featuring chart-climbing lead single “Light On In The Kitchen.” McBryde recently announced new shows through Summer 2024 with The Devil I Know Tour Presented by Ariat.

 

For more information, visit Ashley McBryde.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.

 

About Randy Houser: With an inimitable voice The New York Times describes as “wholly different, thicker and more throbbing, a caldron bubbling over,” Randy Houser has racked up over half a dozen hits and 1 billion streams. His How Country Feels album topped the charts with the title track, “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” and “Goodnight Kiss” (also his first No. 1 as a songwriter) and earned critical acclaim for his powerful delivery of the Top 5 smash and nominated CMA Song of the Year, “Like A Cowboy.”

 

Houser has since added a fourth No. 1 to his catalogue with “We Went” from his 2016 album, Fired Up. Houser’s sixth studio album Note To Self is available now via Magnolia Music Group and features 10 tracks all co-written by the Mississippi native, with his lead single and title track “Note To Self” marking his “powerful return” following 2019’s critically-acclaimed album Magnolia. In their response to Houser’s latest project, MusicRow boasted the Mississippi-native “remains one of country music’s very finest vocalists.”

 

With multiple sold-out shows in 2023, including an at-capacity stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Houser wrapped 12 months of touring with Cody Johnson.

 

In late 2023, he landed on-screen roles in Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film “Killers of the Flower Moon” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, as well as Dennis Quaid’s “The Hill”, an inspirational drama that hailed as the number one most streamed Netflix movie in February 2024. This April, Billboard-lauded “golden-voiced Mississippi native” Houser released his new single “Country Back”, a full throttle proclamation of all things country.

 

For more information, go to RandyHouser.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Adrienne Cole, Civic Center Manager

celebrateanderson@andersoncountysc.org

RunVirt, LLC Celebrates Grand Opening with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Posted on June 28, 2024 by - Economic Development, Events, News Releases

June 28, 2024

Anderson, South Carolina – RunVirt, LLC is pleased to announce the grand opening of its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony today, June 28, 2024, at 10:00 am.  The event took place at their new building at 933 Highway 29 S, Suite D in Anderson, South Carolina.

The ceremony featured remarks from the County Administrator, Rusty Burns, and Councilman Glenn Davis, along with a guided tour of the new facility.  Local dignitaries, community leaders, and local business partners were expected to attend.

RunVirt, a leader in participant identification, moved into this new facility after starting out as a small start-up company in the incubator space provided through the Anderson County Economic Development office. RunVirt entered the incubator program in January of 2023 as a solopreneur-based business, and thanks to the incubator program, was able to hire their first employee and begin to scale. By the end of the first year of the incubator program, RunVirt doubled its sales. This explosive growth in sales allowed RunVirt to open its own facility with a state-of-the-art production line, never before used in the participant identification space. Now with a new production line and larger team (now up to 6 employees) RunVirt is poised for more growth and innovation within its industry and looks forward to partnering with the ACED and all that Anderson County has to offer!

 

QUOTES

 “Starting RunVirt has been a labor of love for me and my family. What began as my first out-of-college job trying to learn a trade has turned into a lifelong obsession with “participant identification,” of all things. When I created RunVirt, I had the luxury of spending close to a decade in various positions related to the production of a very specific product: the Race Bib.  That said, I had ZERO experience starting a small business and all that comes with it. Luckily for me, I was able to meet Burriss Nelson and his excellent team at ACED and get started with the Incubator program at 1428. It’s hard to start from ZERO. How do you afford enough space when you are just getting started? How can you scale? They were our cheat code, and paramount in helping RunVirt go from a “hobby” business in the bonus room of our house, to a full-fledged manufacturer with a state-of-the-art production line right here in Anderson County within the span of a year.”

– RunVirt, LLC Founder Tyler McGraw

 

“I am excited to officially welcome RunVirt to Anderson County, specifically Council District Two. Our success in economic development recruiting in 2024 and over the past several years is unprecedented. The County’s primary aim is to encourage continued economic development through strategic, efficient modernization of our technology and public services infrastructure.”

— Anderson County Councilman Glenn Davis, Council District Two

 

For more information about RunVirt, please visit their website at www.runvirt.com.

 

Grant Received for an Aviation-Themed Playground at the Anderson Regional Airport

Posted on June 27, 2024 by - Economic Development, Events, News Releases, Tourism

Anderson County Receives a $350,000 Grant for the Anderson Regional Airport.
The grant funding will be for a public-private aviation-themed playground.

Anderson County, S.C. (June 27, 2024) — Chairman Tommy Dunn and the Anderson County Council offer their sincere appreciation to Senator Mike Gambrell and Representative Don Chapman for their sponsorship of a $350,000 grant to construct a new aviation-themed playground at Anderson Regional Airport.

The grant funding, in addition to the generous private contributions from our community, will bring the project to life. With all project funding now secured, Anderson County will proceed with the final design and development of the playground’s customized play elements. The development of the play structure is part of the county’s effort to enhance Anderson Regional Airport’s utility as a community-wide asset.

“We are grateful for Senator Gambrell and Representative Chapman’s assistance with this public-private partnership. This project will provide additional recreation opportunities for children living in western Anderson County, and we expect its relationship with the airport will encourage some of these kids to consider careers in aviation and other STEM-related activities.”—Tommy Dunn, Chairman, Anderson County Council

Tetramer Named Small Business of the Year by the US Department of Energy

Posted on June 4, 2024 by - Economic Development, Events, News Releases

Tetramer Logo

 

 

 

Pendleton, SC – June 4, 2024 – Tetramer Technologies, LLC is proud to announce that was honored
with the 2023 SBIR/STTR Small Business of the Year Award by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) at
a ceremony today in Minneapolis, MN. This prestigious recognition highlights Tetramer’s innovative
contributions to environmentally sustainable technologies and their successful commercialization
efforts within the energy sector.

The SBIR/STTR Small Business of the Year Award recognizes a U.S. small business that exemplifies
the spirit of the DOE’s SBIR and STTR programs by enhancing high-technology research and
development (R&D) competitiveness both within the Department and in the marketplace. Award
recipients are evaluated on their exceptional performance in stimulating
U.S. technological innovation, providing benefits from DOE-funded R&D, and contributing to
U.S. economic growth through commercialization of innovations.
This award was conferred for Tetramer’s groundbreaking work funded by the DOE Water Power
Technologies Office (WPTO) SBIR program. Tetramer developed a biobased, biodegradable, non-toxic,
and non-bioaccumulating turbine oil, VBASE® Hydro T-EL™, designed to meet the rigorous demands of
hydropower facilities while being environmentally friendly. Central to this achievement is
Tetramer’s development of the Secondary Polyol Ester™ base oil technology, which forms the
foundation of VBASE® Hydro T-EL™.

Innovation and Sustainability
VBASE® Hydro T-EL™ and the larger VBASE SPE® base oil line stand out for their unique molecular
structure, providing superior performance and compatibility without the environmental drawbacks of
traditional petroleum-based lubricants. The oil meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
standards for environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs), is listed on the EU Ecolabel LuSC-list,
and has achieved USDA BioPreferred certification for its high biobased content.
Commercial Success and Industry Partnerships
Tetramer has established key international partnerships to drive the commercial deployment of the
turbine oil, VBASE® Hydro T-EL™. Collaborations with global industry leaders such as GE Renewable
Energy and hydropower operators like Natel Energy, Vattenfall, and the Porjus Hydropower Centre
Foundation in Sweden underscore the oil’s utility. Additionally, Tetramer has engaged over 400
lubricant formulators and end users, with more than 60 companies currently evaluating samples.
Their first commercial installation in a U.S. hydropower facility is scheduled
for Q4 2024.

Global Market Expansion
Tetramer has transitioned the commercialization of its base oils and lubricant technology to its
subsidiary, VBASE® Oil Company. This move will further enhance the products’ market reach.
Engagements with North American distributor Sea-Land Chemical and European lubricant companies are
setting the stage for global expansion. Achieving REACH regulatory certification, expected in Q3
2024, will open the $1.5 billion EU synthetic ester base oil market.

Commitment to DOE’s Mission
Tetramer’s work aligns with the DOE’s mission to stimulate U.S. technological innovation and
promote economic growth. With patented technologies and active collaborations with academic and
research institutions, Tetramer exemplifies the impact of SBIR/STTR funding on advancing
sustainable technologies. The nomination for this award was made by Dana McCoskey, Environmental
Technologies Manager with the DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Water Power Technologies
Office, recognizing Tetramer’s significant contributions to the field.

Quotes
“This award is a testament to the hard work and innovation of our entire team at Tetramer,” said
Dr. Jeff DiMaio, CEO of Tetramer Technologies. “It highlights our commitment to pushing the
boundaries of material science to create solutions that meet the ever-growing demands of industry
while prioritizing environmental sustainability.”
Zach Hunt, Principal Investigator on the program accepting the award at the DOE Small Business
Forum and Expo today said, “Receiving this award is a tremendous honor for our team. It validates
our 7 years of continuous effort in creating sustainable and innovative solutions for the
hydropower industry. As industries increasingly shift to sustainable lubricants, the DOE’s backing
has been crucial in helping us address the unique needs of the hydropower sector.”

About Tetramer Technologies
Operating in Pendleton, SC since 2001, Tetramer Technologies is an advanced materials company
dedicated to the development of market-driven materials and transitioning those materials from the
lab to market. With extensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities, Tetramer serves as both a
research partner and a supplier of proprietary materials. The team includes scientists and
engineers with backgrounds in organic, physical, polymer, and analytical chemistry, materials
science, and chemical engineering with expertise in materials design, synthesis, analytical
characterization, and scale-up.

Company websites: www.tetramer.com and www.vbaseoil.com

 

DOE SBIR/STTR Small Business Awards program:
https://www.energy.gov/osdbu/annual-small-business-awards-program

 

   

South Carolina Farm Bureau Groundbreaking

Posted on May 30, 2024 by - Economic Development, Events, News Releases

SC Farm Bureau Grain Elevator

CONTINUING A 200-YEAR TRADITION OF AGRICULTURE

 

Friday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the South Carolina Farm Bureau grain elevator expansion gives us an opportunity to not only look forward to a bright future for regional growers but also celebrate Anderson County’s rich agricultural heritage. Our community’s regional significance emerged over 175 years ago when farmers from Anderson and other jurisdictions across the rich agricultural lands along the Savannah River would bring their products to buyers based in Anderson County. Products were initially distributed via ferry down the Savannah or on the rough-hewn road network existing at the time. As years passed, Anderson’s importance as both a producer and distributor of agricultural products influenced the location of railroads and then major highway and interstate systems in the community. These infrastructure improvements allowed Anderson County to achieve a broader prosperity for all—one that serves us to this very day.

 

Anderson County Council takes great pride in serving the growers of this region and the countless citizens across the country who benefit from these efforts. We are honored to play a part in ensuring our nation’s food security.   

 

ANDERSON COUNTY AGRICULTURE FACTS[1]

According to the USDA’s Census of Agriculture, the market value of all agricultural products sold in Anderson County in 2022 was $84.3 million, a 12% increase from 2017. Crops accounted for 20% of our total agricultural sales. Crop production generates nearly $17 million in sales annually, significantly contributing to household incomes. The top-selling crop category, as classified by the USDA, was “Other crops and hay”, with sales exceeding $5.8 million in 2022. Grains, oilseeds, dry beans, and peas had $5.5 million in sales; fruits, tree nuts and berries had almost $2 million. Vegetables, including melons, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, had sales approaching $1.9 million. In total, all crops produced in Anderson County yielded almost $17 million in sales in 2022, underscoring the economic importance of our agricultural sector.

 

Cattle is our big trade here these days. Livestock, poultry, and products make up the remaining 80% of total ag sales. Anderson County has 32,033 head of cattle as of December 31, 2022. For several years now, we have had the largest cattle inventory of any county in South Carolina. We make up about ten percent of the statewide total inventory. Cattle and calves account for $11.9 million in sales for local producers.

We have the highest inventory of sheep and lambs of any county in the state—1,689, according to the ag census. Here, we observe a striking increase from the 2017 census count, when we had but 610. That’s a 176% increase! Some other counties saw marked increases in their sheep and lamb populations, but others saw significant decreases in their inventories. It seems that much like the Human population in the state, sheep, and lambs are showing a very noticeable geographic redistribution.

 

Of course, we can’t overlook our equine population.  The 2022 ag census reported about 2,000 horses and ponies in residence here—second only to Aiken County in South Carolina. The census says our horses yielded almost $2.5 million in sales value. And we led all South Carolina counties in the inventory of mules, burros, and donkeys, with 308 in residence.

We have many goats as well—2,917 to be exact. That makes us second to Lexington County, which has a total of 3,024; however, our goats had a sales value of $207 per head, while the value for Lexington’s goats was $183 each. So, while we don’t have the most goats, we can fairly say our goats are the G.O.A.T.

 

All told the market value of sales from sheep, goats, and their products (wool, mohair, and milk) was $420,000.

 

We have chickens, too.  A lot of chickens—7.7 million broilers sold in 2022. That’s down from 11.1 million broilers sold in 2017. Broiler inventory as of December 31, 2022, was 3,095,128—layer inventory was 51,823.

 

And, as it would be, we had more 10% land in farms in 2022 (174,494 acres) than we did in 2012 (159,106 acres).

 

Also of interest:

  • 1,552 farms in Anderson County as of 2022
  • Total net cash farm income 2022: $11,434,000
  • 45% of farms are between 10 and 49 acres; 32% are 50 to 179 acres.
  • 98% of Anderson County’s farms are family farms.
  • Of 2,554 producers in Anderson County, 930 (36%) are female, 78 are African American, 283 served in the military, and 947 are described as “new and beginning farmers.”
  • 83 farms (5% of total) had 2022 value of sales in excess of $100,000.

 

 

_______________________________

[1]All information obtained from the US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/South_Carolina/

 

 

 

 

[1]All information obtained from the US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_2_County_Level/South_Carolina/

RIA Awards Construction and Planning Grants to Upgrade Critical Infrastructure

Posted on May 28, 2024 by - News Releases

Rural Infrastructure Authority Logo
 

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

For Immediate Release

May 28, 2024

 

RIA awards construction and planning grants

to upgrade critical infrastructure

More than $25 million in grant funding awarded across South Carolina  

 

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved grant assistance for 36 projects, totaling more than $25 million in its second round of funding for fiscal year 2024. These projects will benefit communities in 22 counties, promoting quality of life, economic opportunity and sustainability across South Carolina. The agency’s tagline, “we’re here to help,” is exemplified through continued efforts to meaningfully invest in infrastructure and planning projects for water and wastewater systems as well as storm water drainage facilities. The total funds awarded by RIA this fiscal year is over $44 million.

 

“To ensure all communities and businesses have the opportunity to thrive, we must address the state’s critical infrastructure needs and plan for long-term viability,” said Executive Director Bonnie Ammons. “More than 10 years of RIA grants demonstrate the profound impact that strategic investment and proactive planning have on our communities as we build a stronger future for all South Carolinians.”

 

The May 2024 grant awards will be combined with over $46 million in local and other funds to carry out necessary capital improvements and planning activities that are expected to benefit more than 200,000 customers, with more than 60% of projects reaching rural and distressed communities.

 

Several of the projects funded by these partnerships will create stronger utilities through regional solutions. Ten projects will address pressing health and environmental concerns, including some that will also contribute to greater resiliency and storm protection. Others will improve or replace aging infrastructure that is beyond its useful life, increase services and capacity for existing and future customers, and support economic development activities for job creation and retention.

 

In addition, grant awards will fund 10 planning studies and system assessments that will explore the technical, operational, and financial conditions of water, sewer and stormwater systems, evaluate alternative options, and provide recommendations to achieve greater long-term viability and possible regional solutions.

 

RIA state grants are generally awarded twice a year through a competitive process that considers the need for improved public health, environmental protection, community sustainability and economic development.

 

Applications are selected by the RIA board based on criteria including severity of the problem, expected impact and project feasibility. Recipients share in the cost of infrastructure projects by paying for non-construction or other activities and, oftentimes, providing additional funds for construction.

 

A list of grant recipients for the second round of competitive grants for fiscal year 2024, awarded on May 20, 2024, is below. To learn more about RIA or how to apply for grant assistance, visit www.ria.sc.gov.

 

Grantee County Grant Amount
Batesburg-Leesville, Town of Lexington $1,000,000
Beaufort County Beaufort $187,500
Bennettsville, City of Marlboro $150,000
Bishopville, City of Lee $1,000,000
Broad Creak Public Service District Beaufort $250,000
Broadway Water and Sewerage District Anderson $525,275
Central, Town of Pickens $1,000,000
Charleston Water System Charleston $250,000
Chesterfield County / Chesterfield County Rural Water Company Chesterfield $720,185
Chesterfield, Town of Chesterfield $907,021
Easley Combined Utilities Pickens $600,000
Edgefield County Water & Sewer Authority Edgefield $1,000,000
Gaffney, City of Cherokee $250,000
Greenville, City of Greenville $1,000,000
Greenwood, City of Greenwood $250,000
Hammond Water District Anderson $850,558
Homeland Park Water and Sewer District Anderson $936,704
Horry County / Bucksport Water System Horry $1,000,000
Kershaw, Town of Lancaster $1,000,000
Lake City, City of Florence $1,000,000
Lancaster, City of Lancaster $1,000,000
Lodge, Town of Colleton $1,000,000
Metropolitan Sewer Subdistrict Greenville $1,000,000
New Ellenton Commission of Public Works Aiken $568,070
Newberry County Water and Sewer Authority Newberry $771,375
North Charleston, City of Charleston $654,939
North Charleston, City of Charleston $102,750
Orangeburg County Orangeburg $250,000
Orangeburg, City of Orangeburg $1,000,000
Pageland, Town of Chesterfield $250,000

 

Pickens County / Dacusville-Cedar Rock Water Company Pickens $1,000,000
Ravenel, Town of Charleston 1,000,000
Seabrook Island Utility Commission Charleston $1,000,000
Startex-Jackson-Wellford-Duncan Water District Spartanburg $1,000,000
Sumter, City of Sumter $250,000
Turbeville, Town of / Barrineau Public Utilities Company Clarendon $1,000,000

 

 

About S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority 

The S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) was created to help communities with financing for qualified infrastructure projects. Infrastructure primarily refers to water and waste water systems as well as stormwater drainage. Chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, the RIA is governed by a board of directors, including six members who reside in or represent distressed and/or least developed counties.

 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelly Coakley

Director of Marketing & Communications

South Carolina Department of Commerce

(803) 737-1998

kcoakley@sccommerce.com

www.SCcommerce.com

 

-###-

 

 

 

S.C. Rural Infrastructure Authority

ria.sc.gov

(803) 737-0390

info@ria.sc.gov

1201 Main Street, Suite 1600

Columbia SC 29201

 

 

 

 

Honea Path and Anderson County Announce a $2.6 Million Grant for the Restoration and Redevelopment of the Historic Chiquola Mill Site

Posted on May 22, 2024 by - Economic Development, Events, News Releases, Tourism, Uncategorized

Chiquola Mill

Anderson County, S.C. (May 21, 2024) – The Town of Honea Path has been awarded a $2,650,770 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency for environmental remediation and cleanup efforts at the Historic Chiquola Mill site. The funding was awarded under the auspices of the Federal government’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) of 2021. Honea Path is one of only 35 cleanup grant recipients in the southeast, and the grant amount awarded to the project is the fourth highest in the region.

Cleanup efforts will be supplemented by a $1 million redevelopment site grant from the State of South Carolina sponsored by State Senator Michael W. Gambrell and State Representative Jay West. Anderson County is serving as a project partner and is providing technical support and other resources toward the redevelopment effort.

“This is a monumental day for our Town and our community,” said Honea Path Mayor Christopher Burton. “Almost all of our residents have ties to the Chiquola Mill, and we are committed to helping the site become something that will help Honea Path usher in a new era of prosperity.”

“Small towns like Honea Path are the backbone of South Carolina, and promoting revitalization efforts in these areas makes for a more prosperous community for us all,” said Rep. Jay West. “I am proud to have been part of this effort and can’t wait to see what the future brings!”

“Renewal of the Chiquola site has been a top priority here since the day the mill closed its doors for good, and now the time has come when we can finally celebrate what the future holds in store,” said Sen. Michael W. Gambrell.

“Honea Path is a very unique, very resilient community with some of the best people you’ll find anywhere,” said Anderson County Councilmember Cindy Wilson. “I am so proud of them today—they truly deserve to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

According to Stantec, the site’s environmental consulting firm, cleanup activities will include removing approximately 10,750 tons of asbestos-containing materials found in debris piles and the remnants of onsite structures. It will also include removing approximately 6,500 cubic yards of contaminated soil. In the area of soil removal, a demarcation barrier will be installed, and the area will be backfilled to grade with 1-1.5 feet of clay and 0.5-1 foot of topsoil.

Chiquola Manufacturing (later Springs Industries) developed a textile mill on the property in the early 1900s. Its operations included spinning, carding, and weaving. it remained the town’s largest employer until its closure in 2003, and it provided work for thousands in this region over several generations. As such, the site has always been an integral part of Honea Path’s geography and character. Local, state, and community leaders have pledged to work together to ensure that redevelopment efforts will serve the greater good in much the same way as the Chiquola Mill did in its lifetime.

Southern Wall Products, Inc Announces First South Carolina Operation in Anderson County

Posted on May 13, 2024 by - Economic Development, Events, News Releases

Southern Wall Products, Inc. selects Anderson County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation

$23 million investment will create 28 new jobs

    COLUMBIA, S.C. – Southern Wall Products, Inc. (Southern Wall Products), a manufacturer of drywall finishing products, today announced it selects Anderson County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation. The $23 million investment will create 28 new jobs.

Established in 1981, Southern Wall Products manufactures and sells finishing solutions for the drywall industry under the Ruco brand name. The company produces ready-mix joint compound, ceiling textures, setting compounds and primers.

Southern Wall Products currently has one manufacturing facility in Tucker, Georgia. The new facility, located at 1632 Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson, will increase the company’s capabilities to serve customers throughout the Southeast.

Operations will be online in June 2025. Individuals interested in joining the Southern Wall Products team should contact Mike Haun (770-621-3065).

QUOTES

“Southern Wall Products has been building communities since 1981. We’re excited for this next chapter for our company, our employees, their families and calling Anderson home to our new S.C. facility.”
-Southern Wall Products President Chris Winkler

“Congratulations to Southern Wall Products on establishing its first South Carolina operation. The company’s $23 million investment in Anderson County is further proof that manufacturing companies of all types recognize the benefits of doing business in South Carolina.”
-Gov. Henry McMaster

“We are always proud when a company chooses to invest in South Carolina, and today’s announcement is no exception. Southern Wall Products’ new operation and the jobs it creates are together a great win for Anderson County, and we look forward to the company’s success in our state.”
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III

“We’re pleased that Southern Wall Products has chosen to join Anderson County’s growing family of industries. We are committed to recruiting well-paying jobs representing multiple industry sectors, and Southern Wall Products will be a great fit for our community.”
–Anderson County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn

FIVE FAST FACTS

  • Southern Wall Products, Inc. (Southern Wall Products) selects Anderson County to establish its first South Carolina operations.
  • The company’s $23 million investment will create 28 new jobs.
  • Southern Wall Products is a manufacturer of drywall finishing products.
  • The company will be located at 1632 Pearman Dairy Road in Anderson, S.C.
  • Individuals interested in joining the Southern Wall Products team should contact Mike Haun (770-621-3065).


About S.C. Department of Commerce

As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. S.C. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as BMW, Boeing, Continental, Giti Tire, LPL Financial Holdings, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Samsung, Toray and Volvo Cars and also supports startups, small and existing business, innovation and rural development initiatives. S.C. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. With a strong international footprint, the Palmetto State has consistently been among the top in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign direct investment on a per capita basis – recognized by multiple economic development publications for its pro-business climate. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kelly Coakley

Director of Marketing and Communications

South Carolina Department of Commerce

(803) 737-1998

kcoakley@sccommerce.com

www.SCcommerce.com

 

SC Department of Commerce unveils “Launch to Legacy” brand

Posted on January 30, 2024 by - News Releases

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In fulfilling its vision of embracing the future to ensure South Carolina’s sustainable advantage, the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce) today unveiled its new agency brand and tagline, “Launch to Legacy,” to support industry recruitment and retention.

Building on South Carolina’s multi-decade track record of economic development success and proven ability to help companies thrive in a time of transformation, the new brand is designed to speak to S.C. Commerce and the state’s commitment to support businesses for long-term success.

The “Launch to Legacy” brand leverages three core elements:

·     When you invest in South Carolina, you grow – as a business, a person and community.

·     South Carolina is built for the new economy – people can work where they love.

·     South Carolina is the new home and headquarters of American innovation.

 

Together with a South Carolina-based advertising agency, S.C. Commerce undertook a strategic and methodical process for creating the “Launch to Legacy” brand. The process, which took place over the last year and a half, included qualitative and quantitative research with more than 500 in-state, domestic and international stakeholders to:

·     Understand current perceptions of the state and what it means to do business here.

·     Identify selling points that differentiate South Carolina from its competitors across the Southeast and the nation.

 

“With a nod to the state’s heritage, an eye toward the future and a spirit of embracing innovation, the ‘Launch to Legacy’ brand positions South Carolina to carry out our vision and strategic priorities. The messaging and reimagined logo reinforce our commitment to business as we continue to compete globally while building a high-tech, diverse, sustainable economy,” said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III.

 

Publicly announced during the state’s first ever Governor’s Economic Summit, the “Launch to Legacy” tagline is also being used to propel a full-scale media campaign targeting corporate decision-makers. Told through the perspective of some of the state’s CEOs, the media campaign will reinforce that South Carolina has everything companies need from launch to legacy.

 

To learn more about the “Launch to Legacy” brand, including the brand introduction video, visit www.sclaunchtolegacy.com

 

 

 

 

Pamela Christopher Elected Chairman of the SC Department of Transportation Commission

Posted on January 19, 2024 by - Events, News Releases

Photo of Pamela Christopher
Pamela L. Christopher named Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission
Pamela L. Christopher, of Anderson County, was named Chairman of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Commission at the Commission’s January 18, 2024, meeting in Columbia.  Christopher is the first woman to serve as the Chair of the SCDOT Commission.“I look forward to serving as the Chairman of the Commission,” said Christopher. “This is an exciting time for SCDOT, and we have tremendous opportunities ahead of us. I continue to be impressed by the incredible team at SCDOT and I look forward to working together with them to continue our progress.”

Christopher, a Commissioner representing the 3rd Congressional District, joined the SCDOT Commission in 2020.

Christopher is the President and CEO of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. Before taking the position of President & CEO of the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, Christopher worked as a Chamber and economic development executive to support local, regional, and state economic development efforts in three states — South Carolina, Georgia, and Wisconsin.

She is a graduate of the Leadership South Carolina class of 2018, the Leadership Anderson Class of 32, and The Riley Institute’s South Carolina DLI (Diversity Leaders Initiative) Fall 2015 Class.

Christopher is also a member of the Carolina Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, the Anderson County Municipal Association, and the Upstate Chamber Coalition.