Detroit was long the hub of American automotive manufacturing, but the center has been shifting toward the southern regions of the United States in recent years. According to S&P Global Mobility (formerly IHS Automotive), the center of the automotive industry will move 363 miles southwest by 2026, placing Arkansas in the center of automotive industry production. There are already more than two dozen aftermarket part suppliers and OEM part suppliers in Arkansas. Locating a full-scale manufacturing facility will enable companies to cut down on lead times and shorten their supply chains.
Automotive manufacturing has a bright future in Arkansas. The Natural State is already on the forefront of the future mobility industry, which includes electric vehicles, and is looking to provide automotive companies with the resources they need to thrive.
Visit www.arkansasedc.com for more information.
North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) Of South Carolina: Ready For Business Expansion
BMW, Honda, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz Vans already have a presence in the northeast region of South Carolina, and they are growing. The area, known for its strong regional and international transportation infrastructure, business-friendly environment, and exceptional workforce, is a great location for motor vehicle supplier manufacturing or distribution facilities. South Carolina’s northeastern region is here for vehicle suppliers’ business expansions to support OEM customers with JIT deliveries.
Northeastern South Carolina is located halfway between Miami and New York City and, with its transportation and trade infrastructure, makes moving product easy—both domestically and internationally. The region’s vast system of over 600 miles of state and federal highways creates a network of efficient truck routes to the region’s two interstate highways, I-95 and I-20, positioning the region perfectly to move product up and down the east coast and to many major markets to the west. Additionally, northeastern South Carolina is home to the South Carolina Ports Authority’s Inland Port in Dillon, a rail-connected extension of the Port of Charleston, offering all the same services as a deep-water port at a fraction of the cost.
Along with its strategic infrastructure, South Carolina has stable and competitive property tax and state corporate income tax rates, comprehensive incentive programs, proactive utility providers, and a cooperative regulatory environment that allows companies to focus on running their operations, reducing their opportunity costs, and maximizing their bottom line. These are just a few reasons why South Carolina is nationally recognized in the top three states for doing business.
With the lowest union membership rate in the nation and education/training customized to employers, northeastern South Carolina has the ideal labor climate for manufacturing operations. Companies located in South Carolina’s northeastern corner utilize the region’s well-trained and industrious workforce to produce all-terrain vehicles, engine components, injection-molded plastics, machinery, steel, fabricated metals, packaging products, and much more. In fact, nearly one-tenth of the region’s labor force is employed in manufacturing operations, which is a concentration rate 10% higher than the national average. This is largely the result of South Carolina’s nationally recognized workforce training and development programs, comprehensive technical college system, and four-year universities.
Naturally, workforce development is one of the state’s primary initiatives. Northeastern South Carolina has several state-of-the-art training facilities, including: the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, two Horry-Georgetown Advanced Manufacturing Centers, and the Continuum. Of course, there are many other assets throughout the region as well, such as three 4-year universities, four technical colleges, and nationally renowned workforce development programs like ReadySC and SC Works.
North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) and its member counties have dedicated tremendous financial resources to preparing its communities for future industrial development. As a result, extensive engineering and infrastructure due diligence has been completed, and many industrial properties are shovel-ready or even have a speculative building ready to go. The region’s premier industrial parks are fully served with utilities already in place, many of which have access to rail.
For more information, visit www.nesasc.org.
Santee Cooper: Camp Hall Accommodates For Growth
Camp Hall is an accessible, environmentally focused community for industry in South Carolina that’s equipped with next-generation technology. The combination of tech and sustainability makes it an appealing spot to expand for manufacturers like Volvo Car USA.
One of Camp Hall’s main draws for businesses like Volvo Car USA is the cutting-edge technology. Camp Hall is considered a Smart Commerce Center Campus, meaning its communication and smart grid support innovation and technological advancements. Because of this, Camp Hall is an agile, resourceful and reliable location that continues to provide its businesses with the infrastructure they need.
Along with its technology, Camp Hall also has a robust supply of raw materials and resources. Camp Hall is able to provide water and gas on site to support the needs of the Volvo plant at home. The close proximity to railroad, interstate, and airport access helps keep things running smoothly and on schedule. With the large workforce available in nearby Charleston, Camp Hall has the tools, people, and infrastructure in place to continue providing the Volvo plant with the resources it needs to reach its growth goals.
