GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC -- Fall, 2012 

 Following highly successful visits to Washington, DC, Detroit and meetings with site selectors and private equity firm representatives over the last 90 days, the GADC stayed hot on the economic development trail with five additional announcements in third quarter. Successes include: 

• Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, which opened a new regional headquarters to support existing natural gas operations, as well as lead new business development throughout the Southeast focusing on energy infrastructure and services, adding 40 jobs
• Con-Pearl North America, a maker of lightweight recycled plastic boards for multiple industries, established its first North American facility in Greenville County, investing over $14 million and adding 51 new jobs
• Drive Automotive will invest over $50 million and create 60 jobs by expanding its local facilities.  The company manufactures automotive body panels and assembles auto body systems 
• South Carolina Plastics, which makes a range of plastic automotive components including bumpers and door panels, will add 119 new jobs and invest over $12 million in a new facility
• MAPAL, Inc., a global leader and innovator in the tooling industry, will establish its first operations in the Southeast here in Greenville, adding 30 jobs and investing more than $3 million.

 The announcements followed 13 others in the first half of 2012, bringing year-to-date totals to $218 million in new investment and 1,317 new announced jobs for Greenville County.

 

 

From Jay Leno To Insider Blogs,

Greenville's Hot On The West Coast 

 

 

It may have taken a while, but even our friends on the West Coast are discovering just how great Greenville, South Carolina is. 

 

The latest installment of Jay Leno's Garage discovered the latest and greatest in environmentally responsible public transportation -- the Proterra Ecoliner electric bus.  Check out this link to hear all that Jay had to say about this Greenville-built electric vehicle (EV).

 

Fresh back from a great time at Greenville's Euphoria celebration, West Coaster Janice Nieder featured her explots here on StarkInsider.com. 

 

Calling the 4-day festival full of "amazing music, food and drink", she reports that "Greenville is amazingly hip" and is  a place that "has got it all going on," encouraging her readers to come discover Greenville. 

 

She raves about Greenville, downtown, Euphoria, friendly folks, the Swamp Rabbit Trail and a whole lot more in a manner sure to bring lots more visitors our way.  Enjoy this great read!

 

Leads Strong, Decisions "Longer Term"

 As we head into fourth quarter 2012, the GADC continues to see solid interest in the Greenville area with some 10 to 15 new leads per month.  Likewise, the GADC pipeline is strong in all phases as leads convert to "visitors" (10 active), and from visitors to "in negotiations" (currently 12 active).  Manufacturing continues to dominate both visiting companies and those in negotiations, although a few are office-related. 

 

As Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt recently noted, SC continues to see the "BMW Effect."  With over half of GADC prospects being automotive-related and 3 automotive announcements in the last 2 weeks, we'd say he is spot on.   Looking ahead, inquiries from new companies to the area are triple the levels of inquiries from existing ones, while domestic inquiries are currently moderately stronger than international inquiries.  Our chief challenge seems to be companies delaying decisions, as aging reports reflect more cautious, slower-moving decision-making with stronger trends to longer term planning.