Business Facilities - February 2009 - (Page 24)

between Columbia, SC and Atlanta, GA is home of the Bridgestone-Firestone light truck and automobile tire plant, and is also home to the Center for Hydrogen Research and the Savannah River National Laboratory. In addition, South Carolina is home to 300 plastics companies; produces 20% of the nation’s capacitors; has more than 100 companies that cast, forge and extrude aluminum; and has 50 metal stamping and forging companies and 35 steel production facilities and foundries. The South Carolina Power Team, comprised of Santee Cooper and the state’s 20 electric cooperatives, provides a number of incentives, special electric rates, and grants that reduce the cost of locating or expanding manufacturing and distribution facilities throughout the state. South Carolina’s industrial electric power costs 24% less than the national average (2006 data). The Power Team has a full listing of certified sites, industrial parks and buildings on its Web site. Laurens County, SC: Great Logistics in a Central Location Laurens County, SC is located mid-way between the metropolitan areas of Greenville-Spartanburg, SC and the state capital of Columbia, SC. It is bisected by two Interstate systems (I-385 and I-26), which make the county easily accessible to I-85 and the Port of Charleston, SC. Greenville/Spartanburg International Airport is within a few minutes drive, as is BMW and Clemson University’s new International Center for Automotive Research. All of these facilities are easily accessible by the interstate systems. Laurens County also is home to the Michelin Proving Grounds, which has expanded its testing capacity over the past few years. In November 2008, American Titanium Works announced a $420million rolling mill, which will employ over 300 people. ATW also announced a Research Facility in Clemson’s International Center for Automotive Research. ATW will supply several different industries including the automotive sector. It is believed they could offer a unique opportunity for the automotive industry. Laurens County has numerous sites and buildings for a prospective company. There are four industrial parks located along the two interstate systems. Woodfield Industrial Park and Owings Industrial Park are located along I-385 near the Greenville/Laurens County line. Woodfield Industrial Park has approximately 130 acres remaining and Owings Industrial Park approximately 275 acres remaining. Owings Park has rail service provided by RailAmerica. Hunter Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa Fort Myers, FL October 18-20, 2009 The most streamlined site selection event in the world! #007 at www.BusinessFacilities.com Industrial Park is located at the intersection of I-385 and US 221 and has almost 400 acres available and much of it is rail served by CSX. Clinton Park Corporate Center has one phase that is available for industrial development. Phase three is one mile from I-26 and has approximately 200 acres available for development—most having access to rail which is served by CSX. All utilities are either in or border all the parks. In addition to the industrial parks the county has numerous stand-alone sites, many of which also are rail served. The county has one spec building available for immediate occupancy. It is a 31,600-square-foot spec building in Woodfield Industrial Park, which was completed in January 2007. Owings, Hunter and Clinton Park Corporate Center III Parks are all certified sites by the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Automotive suppliers provide employment for 30% of the workforce in Laurens County. The cost of operation in Laurens County is very attractive. Laurens County Council is very pro-business and offers aggressive tax reductions. For example, on a $5 million investment, the county can reduce the assessment ratio thus reducing taxes by more than 40% for a period of 20 years. In addition, the county also has the ability to offer a Special Source Revenue Credit that further reduces taxes for a period of 10 years. Laurens County is classified as a level two county by the state, which makes state incentives very attractive. The State of South Carolina also offers one of the nation’s best training programs with the Ready SC Training initiative. Laurens County offers an excellent location with easy accessibility, a good available workforce, low cost of operation and a great rural community in which to raise a family. I A-8 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 A N D WA R D ’ S A U T O W O R L D http://www.bflivexchange.com http://www.bflivexchange.com http://www.BusinessFacilities.com

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Business Facilities - February 2009 Contents First Word Snapshots Corporate Moves: Ohio Governor's Report Growth Magnets Industry Focus: Automotive International Report: Luxembourg Corporate Moves: Tennessee Cream of the Crop in North Carolina Advertiser Index Ask the Expert

Business Facilities - February 2009

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