Annual Review 2019
110 Traders Cross, Bluffton, SC 29909 • (843) 705-8414 • beaufortscedc.org
BCEDC Board of Directors
Ashley Feaster Present Chair, Palmetto Cooperative
Stephen Murray Founding Chairman, Beaufort City Council
Mike Alsko Vice Chairman, President of Coastal Home and Villa
Lisa Sulka Mayor of Town of Bluffton
Steve Fobes Town of Hilton Head Island
Dr. Frank Rodriguez Superintendent, Beaufort County School District
Dr. Al Panu Chancellor, University of South Carolina – Beaufort
Carlton Dallas Managing Director, Dallas International Trading and Solutions
Dr. Rich Gough President, Technical College of the Lowcountry
Joe Mantua General Manager, Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority
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Paul Sommerville Beaufort County Councilman
Van Willis Town Manager, Town of Port Royal
By the Numbers 507
$77.21 million
Jobs Created
144
Capital Investment
Retained Jobs
$50,126 241,000 square feet Total New Construction
Average Annual Compensation of the positions brought in by the BCEDC
346,936 square feet Existing Building Absorption
Incentives for Companies......................................................$9,738,265 Site Development Grants......................................................$1,166,964 $10,905,229
90
Business Retention Meetings
124 Leads
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Shovel Ready Products in Development 2019 Annual Review |
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City of
Beaufort
Bay Street at
sunset
The Henry C. Chamb ers Waterf promenad ront Park e provides a nice vie River and w of the B the Wood eaufort s Memori a handful al Bridge, of swing b o n e of ri dges still South Caro in operati lina. on in
Photo by Tony Pierro, AJPierrophotography.com
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Chris Fisher of Glass WRX SC meeting with the Technical College of the Lowcountry, Ready SC, and the transition assistants from the military bases. Glass WRX SC represents a $15 million investment in Beaufort County and the creation of 69 new jobs.
Harris Pillow Supply, a pillow manufacturer located in northern Beaufort County. Harris Pillow Supply has been in Beaufort County since 1980 and announced a $2.1 million expansion in 2016.
Geismar-Modern Track Machinery manufactures and distributes railway maintenance equipment. Geismar offers a comprehensive range of tools for track works, including hand-held machinery and heavy equipment. Geismar moved to Beaufort County in 2017.
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Town of
Bluffton Burnt Church Distillery breaking ground on 20,000 sf facility located in Old Town Bluffton. The company will invest $10.25 million and bring 35 jobs to Beaufort County.
irl” docked “Daddy’s G n Oyster at the Bluffto Factory.
The Church of the Cross located in O Bluffton, bu ld Town ilt in 1857.
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The Buckwalter Place Business Park houses companies like St. Joseph’s Candler, and eviCore Healthcare – a division of Cigna that employs over 400 workers. The Beaufort County EDC is working in partnership with the Town of Bluffton and the Don Ryan Center for Innovation to construct spec space at the park.
Town of
Port Royal The Port of Port Royal features 275+ acres, 45+ developable acres. Deepest natural channel on the Eastern Seaboard. No bridge or “no wake� zone impedes direct access to the open Atlantic Ocean. The master development plan for the community includes new businesses, 8 to 10 restaurants, a seafood market, and a residential component. Conceptual Plan pictured below.
ts lining the Shrimp boa rt Royal, docks of Po n Fishcamp o adjacent to 11th Street.
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Hilton Head Island Town of
Hilton Head Island Distillery is a spirits manufacturer that uses a combination of age-old distillation techniques and modern technology to craft rum and vodka. They offer tours of their facility and have approximately 15,000 visitors per year.
MAPtech Packaging designs, builds, and services custom modified atmosphere packaging equipment. MAPtech also manufactures hemp processing equipment used at their sister facility – Blue Sky Processing.
ctor in se contra n fe e d 6 grow on is a top is plans to rr a L3 Harris H 3 L . vestment d States planned in a the Unite h it w d ad Islan hires! Hilton He d 20 new n a n o li il of $3.5 m
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Pictured: Jennifer Pfuhl, CEO of MAPtech Packaging and Mike Hartsel, Director of Technical Services
Announcements 69
New Jobs
$15,150,000 Capital Investment Glass WRX SC, a producer of recycled glass products and advanced materials, has announced that it will invest $15.15 million in a manufacturing facility in Beaufort County, creating 69 jobs over the next five years. Glass WRX SC will operate at 302 Parker Drive in an existing 84,000 SF building adjacent to the Beaufort Commerce Park. The business will collect glass from numerous sources throughout three states to be converted into various products, including kitchen counters, floor tiles and wall materials. “Glass WRX SC is a win-win for South Carolina. The company’s use of recycled materials in its products is a victory for the environment, as well as for Beaufort County. We congratulate Glass WRX SC on this investment and look forward to watching them thrive in the years to come.” – S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “We appreciate the support we received from the Beaufort County EDC and the SC Department of Commerce. We look forward to becoming a staple in the business community and in Beaufort for years to come.” – Chris Fisher, President and CEO of GlassWRX “We would like to welcome GlassWRX to the City of Beaufort with open arms. The environmental stewardship of Glass WRX and their dedication to providing meaningful employments to our citizens is an excellent fit for our community.” – Mayor of Beaufort, Billy Keyserling “This investment from GlassWRX shows that Beaufort County is right for manufacturing. Having the right people, partners, and allies was important to bringing this deal to fruition.” – County Councilman Stu Rodman
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
70
New Jobs
“Lockheed Martin is proud to have operations in Beaufort County at the Marine Corps Air Station. Finding skilled workers across the US is challenging in this economy. In Beaufort we’ve had great success cashing in on the talent available as service men and women retire or transition out of the military. Last year we’ve added 50 employees and are looking to add another 20-plus more.” – Cliff D. Mrkvicka, Field Support, Systems Engineer and Site Senior Manager for Lockheed Martin
Dr. Kamal Patel announced the development of a medical and professional office park in proximity to Old Town Bluffton. The park will include approximately 71,000 square feet of class-A office space with a projected completion date of May 2021. Existing companies moving to the park include an Ophthalmology practice and an expanding Orthopedic practice.
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New Jobs
$10,350,000 Capital Investment
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Announcements 16
53
$3,100,000
$4,960,000
New Jobs
New Jobs
Capital Investment
Blue Sky Processing, a processor of hemp fiber for a variety of applications, announced on November 30th, 2018, its plans to locate new operations in Beaufort County. On May 16th, 2019, the company celebrated the grand opening ceremony of their facility which is outfitted and online with processing and analytical equipment. “We are grateful that Blue Sky Processing has chosen Beaufort County to locate its operations. Their investment in Beaufort is evidence that the work of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation is resonating with investors. Beaufort County is a great place for business and industry. We are appreciative of the good jobs Blue Sky will be bringing to northern Beaufort County.” – Beaufort County Councilman Gerald Dawson, District One
Capital Investment Salt Marsh Brewing, a local, craft brewery, expanded operations in Beaufort County. The $4.9 million investment is projected to create approximately 54 new jobs. Founded in 2013, Salt Marsh Brewing is committed to brewing beers invoking true Southern hospitality and the Lowcountry lifestyle. Located at 1111 11th Street in Port Royal, S.C., Salt Marsh Brewing’s second location will be fully equipped with an automated canning line and extensive fruited sour beer program.
“When my wife and I discussed where we spent a lot of time, we realized every weekend we were headed to Port Royal. We are excited about the future of Port Royal and growing our business there. ‘Cool, Coastal, Far from Ordinary’ fits seamlessly with Salt Marsh Brewing. We appreciate the support we received from the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation and the town of Port Royal throughout the process." – Salt Marsh Brewing Co-Owner Nick Borreggine “South Carolina has displayed its ability to be a place where industries and companies of all types can flourish, and today's announcement is proof of that. I congratulate Salt Marsh Brewing on this great accomplishment, and I look forward to seeing the difference this new investment makes in the community.” – Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt “I have had the pleasure of seeing this project in the process. It’s great to see the investor work with the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation. This project is a win for Beaufort County, for Port Royal, our residents and visitors who are increasingly discovering Port Royal.” – Beaufort County Council Member Alice Howard
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$10,250,000
$1,500,000
New Jobs
Capital Investment
Burnt Church Distillery announced on January 24th, 2019, plans to launch operations in Bluffton, SC. Burnt Church will be a 20,000-square-foot facility with a 7,000-square-foot space for tastings and events. This site will also include a 5,000-square-foot rack house for the storage of aging whiskey barrels.
“We are thrilled to see that Burnt Church Distillery is investing in our community. Burnt Church Distillery’s commitment to sourcing South Carolina products and its efforts to include social responsibility at the top of their organization’s priorities make them a good fit for Bluffton. Additionally, I’d like to thank our partners at the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation and the Don Ryan Center for Innovation for their part in this project, as well as the assistance they provide to companies and investors interested in our area.” – Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka
New Jobs
Capital Investment
Watterson Brands announced in January 2019 that they would move their Chicago headquarters to Bluffton, SC. Watterson Brands focuses on consulting and brand management and is located a short walk from Old Town Bluffton.
A conceptual drawing of Bur nt Church Dis Construction tillery’s facility. is expected to be complete in 2020.
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Announcements 15
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45
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New Jobs Spartina 449 announced on March 26th, 2018 that the company is expanding at a 40,000-square-foot facility in Bluffton, SC. Established in 2009 in Beaufort County, the Daufuskie Island-based company is an upscale women’s lifestyle brand featuring handbags, accessories, jewelry and more, currently employing 79 in Beaufort County. The expansion included moving 48 jobs to the larger facility located at 10 Buck Island Road in Bluffton, with plans to add 15 jobs.
Retained Jobs
$200,000 Capital Investment
New Jobs
Dust Solutions Incorporated manufactures Dust Suppression Systems for a wide array of industries including Power Generation, Mining, Mineral Processing, Aggrgate, Marine, and Bulk Handling. The company announced an expansion that landed them at 103 Industrial Village Road in Beaufort, South Carolina. The expansion included moving 12 jobs to the facility with plans to add an additional 12 in the future.
"South Carolina has a pro-business environment that allows entrepreneurs and homegrown firms to be successful, and today's announcement by Spartina 449 is a testament to that. I congratulate Beaufort County and the company's leadership on this exciting news," – S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt
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$1,730,000 Capital Investment
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“Palmetto Electric is proud to serve growing local companies, like Spartina 449, and we congratulate the Spartina team for investing in Beaufort County once again. Palmetto Electric is pleased to assist in the expansion, and we stand ready to support Spartina and our community in any way that we can." – Palmetto Electric Cooperative President and CEO Berl Davis “We welcome Spartina 449’s Operations Center in the Bluffton business community. It is only fitting one of the nation’s fastest-growing companies is located in Bluffton, one of the fastest-growing towns in the Southeast. We are proud to be a part of Spartina 449’s next chapter as it continues its trajectory of success. It is important this company, which began as a local, home-based business, stays in the Lowcountry since its high-quality collection of handbags and accessories reflect the colors and beauty of our region as well as our local entrepreneurial spirit.” – Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka
Retained Jobs
New Jobs
$100,000 Capital Investment Volunteers in Medicine announced they have moved a small corporate headquarters from Vermont to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Volunteers in Medicine’s mission is to serve the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved. Each year VIM can track around 600 healthcare professionals that volunteer over 50,000 hours to assisting those in need.
Limuli Laboratories Limuli Laboratories is a medical practice company focused on the application of LAL in testing pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
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New Jobs
$950,000 Capital Investment
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New Jobs
$400,000 Capital Investment GRT Manufacturing announced the grand opening of their new Hilton Head Island facility. The machine shop will utilize 3D Machining and simultaneous machining to fulfill the part needs of clients. Hilton Head Island Airport recently featured announcements from American, Delta and United. The FAA has pledged over $10M for Terminal Design and Construction Projects.
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New Jobs
$600,000 Capital Investment Cabinets by Dean Williams is a Beaufort County based company that offers highquality handcrafted cabinetry. The company announced in 2019 that it would be investing in a new facility in Northern Beaufort County.
$3,320,000 Capital Investment
Research organization Alpha Genesis announced on December 12th, 2018, an expansion of their research facility that committed over $3 million in investments and 32 new jobs. Alpha Genesis Inc. is a worldwide leader in bio-research services that provides effective primate research and development support to the scientific community.
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Fidelis Program 2,100 individuals exiting the military annually 1,363 active duty, veterans, and dependents enrolled in programs at Technical College of the Lowcountry and University of South Carolina – Beaufort. These individuals have upward of a 90% retention rate in Beaufort County after completion of studies.
The University of South Carolina - Beaufort
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Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Beaufort Campus
Business Retention and Expansion Between 2018 and 2020, our team got out and met with 90 existing Beaufort County companies! Expanding Beaufort County companies accounted for over $26.96 million in capital investment and 361 newly created jobs. John O’Toole, Executive Director of the Beaufort County EDC, presenting the “Excellence in Free Enterprise Award” to Ross Taylor of Sea Side Grown at the 2019 Civitas Awards. While 25 million pounds of Sea Island Pure tomatoes make it to your local grocer and restaurants, a few million pounds cannot withstand the shelf life necessary to be sold in the marketplace; they are ripe and ready at harvest. This means they will end up
in the kitchen to be used in Seaside Grown’s family recipes and be sold as Bloody Mary Mix and fresh Salsa.
In partnership with SC Department of Commerce, our team holds a quarterly Beaufort County Manufacturer’s Roundtable. The event is hosted by Palmetto Electric Cooperative and features discussion from Beaufort County’s existing industry. Pictured is Lieutenant Colonel Neil Baxley presenting to local manufacturers on hurricane preparedness strategies. Mister Label is a label manufacturer located in Bluffton, SC, that specializes in the pharmaceutical industry as well as consumer products. The company has been based in South Carolina for over 50 years. Pictured left to right: Tyre Moore of BCEDC, Norris Thigpen of the SC Department of Commerce, Kelly Elliot of Mister Label, Todd Elliot of Mister Label.
Along a quiet street in the historic district of Beaufort sits a small technology company that is doing big things in South Carolina, the US, and around the world. SmartScan Technologies has been a Beaufort County employer for over 25 years and developed the SmartScan™ monitoring systems that have become an industry leader in the hospital, clean room, pharmaceutical, and warehousing business sectors. SmartScan began working with the Pictured left to right: Norris Beaufort County Economic Development Thigpen of the SC Department of Corporation and the SC Department of Commerce, Bruce Ward of Smart Commerce in 2018 to help promote their Scan meeting with Jeff Mumford business both in the US and abroad. As a and Glen McCarthy of Labworks result of this relationship, Vice President International in Canada of Sales and Marketing Bruce Ward and Smart Scan, were awarded a grant to join Mr. Norris Thigpen of the SCDOC on a trade mission trip to Montreal and Toronto to advance trade opportunities between Canada and South Carolina. The conference presented a great opportunity to open doors for new business opportunities and create contacts that further the mission of both countries. Following the trip Ward commented, “SmartScan Technologies is very fortunate to have been invited on this business mission to Canada. We engaged in 14 meetings with potential Canadian partners and made contacts with dozens more. In fact, next week we are returning to Toronto at the invitation of one of the key prospects we met. They saw an opportunity with what we have to offer and are now looking for ways to create a partnership. As a small business today, identifying opportunities outside the US can be extremely complex and a strain on resources. Having the support of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation and the state of South Carolina behind us creates opportunities that wouldn’t exist without their help. We are grateful to both for the chance to have participated.”
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The Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation thanks our partner organizations:
BEAUFORT DIGITAL CORRIDOR
TM
a division of the SC Technical College System
www.beaufortscedc.org 843.705.8414 | jotoole@beaufortscedc.org 110 Traders Cross | Bluffton, SC 29909