Economic development momentum building in Lexington County

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Lexington County attracted $364 million in economic investment in the past year, resulting in the creation of 472 jobs.

Projects with county involvement include ongoing expansion as part of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corp.’s $215.8 million investment, which has created 250 jobs, and Vertical Roots’ $7.6 million expansion of its hydroponic lettuce and other greens operations at the S.C. Farmers Market, creating 14 jobs. Concentrated Active Ingredients & Flavors, a California-based distributor of ingredients for the food and beverage, dietary supplement, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, has also committed $5 million toward its first East Coast production site, according to the County of Lexington’s Department of Economic Development. 

In addition, several new solar site developments total $185 million in investment, while Palmetto State Armory is planning a $61.7 million expansion that is expected to create 150 jobs. Capital Concrete’s $5 million expansion of its Lexington County facility is expected to create 15 jobs, while Lexington County-headquartered Bentley Pontoons is investing $5.9 million in an expansion expected to create 50 jobs. And a new FBI field office is slated to open next year after an October groundbreaking. 

“These companies are attracted to Lexington County because of our business-friendly environment, along with our ability to provide a qualified committed workforce from the Midlands region,” Sarah J. Johnson, director of the county economic development department, said in a newsletter. “We will continue working strategically to keep progress growing.”

The county has 28 active projects with a total new investment potential of nearly $2.2 billion and 7,207 jobs, according to the department. 

“Demand for industrial real estate is at record highs," Johnson said. "We are proactively responding by preparing shovel-ready industrial sites with a streamlined permitting process, which will enable companies to quickly create or expand profitable operations as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

As an example, Lot 3 at Saxe Gotha Industrial Park includes 68 developable acres with interstate frontage and rail accessibility.

Richland County notched its second-highest economic development total on record in 2021, attracting $359.6 million in new projects.