Business Facilities - April 2008 - (Page P-4)

Industries; Dispoz-O Products, Inc.; tional 1,000 people available for hire. Teknor Apex; Faurecia; Sterilite; The Timken plant produced bearFehrer; Ware Shoals Plastics, Inc.; ings for the automotive industry. and Fukoku. Businesses looking for low-cost, Laurens County has four indus- attractive financial incentives can trial parks located along its two inter- find them through the Laurens states. Two of those, Woodfield County Council. On a $5 million Industrial Park and Owings Indus- investment, the county can reduce trial Park, are located along I-385 taxes by over 40% for a period of 20 near the Greenville/Laurens County years. In addition, the county also line. Woodfield Industrial Park has has the ability to offer a Special approximately 130 acres remaining, Source Revenue Credit that further while Owings Industrial An available 80,000-squarePark has 316 acres avail- foot building, formerly by BBA Nonwoable, and rail service pro- occupiedLaurens County, SC vens, in vided by RailAmerica. Another one, Hunter Industrial Park, is located on I-385 and US 221 and has almost 400 acres available, much of it rail served by CSX. The last park, Clinton Park Corporate Center Phase III, is located just one mile from I-26, and has 140 acres available. The park reduces taxes for a period of 10 also has access to CSX rail. years. Businesses can lower their cost In addition to these industrial of operations as the county’s average parks, the county has numerous wage is below the state average. stand alone sites, many of which are Overall, Laurens County offers an also rail served. One such property is excellent location with easy accessibilthe 1,500-acre Fleming Smith site, ity, an available workforce, and low which is located at the intersection cost of operation. For more informaof I-385 and US 221. The site is rail tion, visit www.laurenscounty.org or served by CSX. call the county at 864-939-0580. The county has several buildings available for immediate occupancy North Carolina: A Leader that are well suited for plastics com- in Plastics Production Plastics companies are finding a panies, such as the 31,600-squarefoot spec building with 28- to 33- wealth of reasons why North Carfoot high ceilings in Woodfield olina is the right place to do business. Many of these companies attribIndustrial Park. There is also an 80,000-square-foot building with ute their success to North Carolina’s six silos, a rail spur with a covered universities and extensive commuunloading area, and a ground water nity college network, both of which have made strong commitments to tank for fire suppression available. Currently, 32% of the workers in providing a well trained, educated, Laurens County serves the plastics and dedicated workforce. Others companies cite such advanindustry. During 2007, the availability of labor improved for prospective tages as the state’s central location on companies as Timken phased out its the Eastern seaboard, its extensive Clinton plant resulting in an addi- highway system, international airP-4 ports, and deep-sea port—all of which contribute to products moving to market quickly and efficiently. Still others credit the state’s scenic beauty, from the beaches of the Outer Banks to the Great Smoky Mountains, a low cost of living, and excellent quality of life as being key to successful recruitment and retention of talented workers. No matter the reasons, the number of plastics companies locating and growing in the state has made North Carolina a national leader in this sector. Industry giants such as DuPont, Alcatel, Kimberly Clark, Microban, and GE Sealants and Adhesives all operate in the state. Consider these statistics: • With 550 U.S. and international companies, North Carolina is the seventh largest plastics manufacturing state in the nation for shipments. • With more than 44,000 workers, North Carolina ranks eighth in the nation in plastics industry employment. These workers come to the industry with diverse skills that range from plastics technicians to chemical engineers. • In 2007, North Carolina’s plastics exports exceeded $1.2 billion, a 10% increase from 2006. In terms of dollars, it ranked third on the state’s list of largest exports by industry sector. Last year, Fortron Industries, a joint venture between U.S.-based Ticona Technical Polymers and Japanese company Kureha Chemical Industries, completed an expansion of its Fortron linear polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) plant in Wilmington, NC. The facility is now the world’s largest manufacturer of PPS—a high performance, heat-resistant plastic used to make airplane wings, car parts, and circuit boards. A S P E C I A L A D V E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N O F B U S I N E S S FA C I L I T I E S , M O D E R N P L A S T I C S , A N D M D & D I PHOTO CREDIT: LAURENS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION http://www.laurenscounty.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Business Facilities - April 2008

Business Facilities - April 2008 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Ohio Businesses On the Move Corporate Moves: Nebraska If You Build It, They Will Come A Tale of Two Industries Economic Transformation In the Islands Diversity: A New York State of Mind Growing in the Sun Key Kansas Industries Get a Boost How To Choose the Right Commercial Real Estate Broker Missouri Downtowns Dare to Dream Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - April 2008

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