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Lancaster County has long been a gold mine for economic development, literally. But gold is far from all that glitters in our stretch of the dynamic Charlotte metropolitan area just over the border in South Carolina.
Gold was first discovered here in 1827 and to this day we host the largest commercial gold mine in the Eastern United States. The textile industry then boomed here for a century until transitioning to what now is a fast-growing mix of traditional and advanced manufacturing, distribution, and corporate office facilities.
In fact, in the past decade, new and expanding businesses in Lancaster County have announced more than $1 billion in new investment and created 9,000 new jobs, among the top rates of growth for the Carolinas. That’s along with population growth that keeps us among the fastest-growing counties in the United States.
An Exceptionally Business-Friendly Ecosystem
Businesses are attracted here by what the economy anywhere needs to truly thrive: an exceptionally business-friendly ecosystem. It begins with a customized package of aggressive incentive packages and some of the most competitive commercial and industrial real estate prices in the Charlotte region, supported by local governments and economic development groups that help keep the red tape to a minimum.
Then there are K-12 and postsecondary education providers that keep our workforce prepared and skilled, including programs that focus on specific industries and, when needed, specific employers. Just beyond our county lines is the rest of a labor shed of 2.3 million people all within 75 miles.
Location, Location, This Is A Great Location
Business facilities here have access to superior connectivity to their markets by road, rail, air, and sea. Two major interstates — 77 and 85 — anchor our highway system, and rail service via the major providers is supplemented by a versatile short-line operation that is over a century old and still on the move.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, one of the world’s busiest, is close by and major East Coast seaports such as Charleston, Savannah, and the Port of Virginia are easily accessible.
Lifestyle And Living Costs
The cost of living here is relatively low and the quality of life here is unquestionably high. We’re an integral part of the Charlotte metro, with all its sports, culture, dining, universities, and more.
Our own county seat, Lancaster, is home to the University of South Carolina-Lancaster and its own lively lineup of educational and cultural offerings.
The great outdoors also doesn’t take a back seat here, with area lakes and parks, and the historic Catawba River, offering boating and paddling, fishing, and picnicking and much more.
Our fast-growing communities closest to Charlotte offer a complete lineup of housing choices. For those who prefer country living, there’s room for your staff and their families to stretch their wings and grow. Lancaster County offers a rich mix of suburban and rural living to suit every taste.
Three Recent Announcements
Here are three recent announcements that reflect the range of business activity here.
- Snider Fleet Solutions is relocating its headquarters from two locations in North Carolina to an existing corporate office site near Fort Mill. Snider Fleet Solutions is one of the largest service providers in the transportation and construction industries, with 80 locations nationwide. The $6.9 million project will create 167 new jobs.Nutramax Laboratories is
- Nutramax Laboratories is investing $30 million in an expansion that will add about 200 new jobs and manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution space to its operations in the Indian Land community. The leading manufacturer and marketer of nutritional supplement products for people and pets first moved its animal health business and corporate offices here in 2010.
- Chief Buildings is investing $22.1 million to establish a facility that will create 102 jobs over the next few years at the site near the city of Lancaster. Chief Buildings is a subsidiary of Chief Industries and a nationwide leader in low-rise, non-residential metal building systems that use custom-engineered steel solutions to optimize and integrate framing, roofing, and walls.
A Great Place To Do Business And To Live
“We’re ideally located in one of our nation’s most-attractive metro markets, with a mix of infrastructure and logistics that makes Lancaster County an ideal location to create or expand a manufacturing, distribution, or office operation. Plus, it’s a great place to live,” said Bruce Brumfeld, CEO of Founders Federal Credit Union and a member of the Lancaster County Economic Development Board. “We’re here to work with you.”
