Good Economic News Dominates County Council Meeting

November 26, 2019

William G. Rozier
The Kershaw County Current

The Kershaw County Council meeting on November 12th included five items representing successes in the field of Economic Development.

These successes including adding a new employer to the county, having an existing employer commit to retooling its plant and investing $58 million in the process; working with another on a modest investment of $3.5 million; and moving two projects worth a total of $134 million one step closer to ratification. 

Ground has already been broken in Elgin's Wateree Executive Park for the new employer, Midlands Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. Their plans call for a 40 bed facility, an investment of $17.8 million and approximately 113 new, full-time jobs with a reported average wage rate of $25/hour. Discussions with them began in 2015. 

Haier America entered into an agreement in 2015, but due to "changes in business conditions" they did not meet the agreement terms and thus did not receive incentives tied to those terms. However, in 2018, discussions ensued which has now resulted in a new agreement. This agreement is to result in $58 million in new investment and the creation of 160 new jobs. 

The modest investment is going to be made by WeylChem. Their discussions with the county concerning $3.5 million expansion began in June.

The company behind projects, Walnut A and B, have been in discussions with the county since 2018. The ordinances for these two projects may be finalized in January 2020. 

(excerpt of article)