NESA is a nonprofit economic development organization serving Chesterfield, Darlington, Florence, Dillon, Marion, Marlboro, Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg counties, according to the statement.
Unemployment for the area under NESA’s purview was 6% in December, while employment numbers exceeded 340,000. There were 13 investments announced in the nine counties, six of which were new sites and seven were facility expansions.
Yancey McGill, NESA executive committee chairman said in the statement, “These wins reinforce that our region is a great area to invest and grow. The jobs and capital coming into our region will help strengthen the economy and create more opportunities.”
Chesterfield County, population 44,488, saw two announcements: Aerospace company ATI Inc. with a new facility in Pageland and rare earth element recycler Cyclic Materials with a new location in McBee, the statement said. Dallas-based ATI will add almost 70 jobs at its facility, which will produce titanium alloy sheet. Cyclic, based in Toronto, will invest $82 million and add 90 jobs.
According to the statement, Chesterfield County Economic Development will market the 53,000-square-foot Carolinas Centre Building on SC Highway 9. Six industrial lots are available at Lynches River Industrial Park in Pageland.
Chesterfield County saw GDP of $1.4 billion and an average annual wage of $49,335. The unemployment rate was 5.9%.
Darlington County, population 62,425, had four announcements totaling more than $300 million in new investment and 35 added jobs: Georgia-Pacific, with its headquarters in Atlanta, will implement a $25 million expansion and add 35 jobs; Charlotte-based Nucor Steel subsidiary Universal Gases announced a $100 million investment; while Darlington County Council also green-lighted two solar farm investments totaling more than $183 million.
For this year, the county will focus on expanding its land assets, as well as building on industry recruitment via training programs, education alignment, skilled workforce development and site enhancement, the statement said.
Darlington County saw $2.6 billion in GDP with a $58,039 average annual wage. Unemployment was at 5.6%.
In Dillon County, with a population of 27,577, material science company Arclin announced a $60 million investment and 30 added jobs. The company — with its headquarters in Alpharetta, GA — will expand its existing facility by 60,000 square feet.
Owing to its cost-saving potential, Inland Port Dillon factored into about 75% of industrial inquiries according to the statement.
Dillon County Economic Development will focus on bolstering the county’s infrastructure this year. The group’s Director Rodney Berry said in the statement, “I’m particularly pleased that residents of our community are realizing progress is happening now, in real time. Leadership within the county and city have a strong comprehension of strategic steps, and the wheels are in motion.”
Dillon County realized $792.5 million in GDP with average annual wages of $44,125. The unemployment rate was 6.3%.
Florence County, population 138,049, moved up to a Tier-I designation from Tier II, entering the top-10 most developed counties in the state for the first time in 15 years, the statement said. The SC Department of Revenue ranks state counties along the lines of rising per capita income and declining unemployment under Section 12-6-3360(B) of SC Code of Laws.
PRET Advanced Materials LLC announced an $18.5 million expansion and the addition of 74 jobs in Johnsonville. Pret Advanced Materials is part of the global PRET group, which has its headquarters in Shanghai. Construction on Performance Food Group Co. subsidiary Cheney Brothers' 386,047-square-foot distribution facility has “exceeded development expectations and is nearing completion,” the statement said, adding the company’s largest culinary kitchen is set to open in the first quarter.
The county’s goals for 2026 include finding the right end user for the 100,620-square-foot speculative building in Florence County Industrial Park South, shopping out additional industrial sites, and targeting new headquarters and back-office operations. The county has more than 2,000 acres available for development in strategic locations and has worked with utilities to make industrial sites “shovel-ready.”
“Leveraging its Tier-I designation, Florence County is well positioned to attract sustained industrial growth, support existing employers, and drive long-term economic prosperity throughout 2026 and beyond,” NESA said.
Florence County saw GDP of $7.86 billion with average annual wages at $53,804. Unemployment was at 5.2%.
Marion County, with a population of 28,368, announced an $8.9 million expansion of food processing and packaging company Sopakco Inc.’s Mullins plant. Sopakco is a subsidiary of Unaka Corp., which is based in Greeneville, TN. The county formed partnerships with the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority for dedicated workforce routes, and with local industry and the school district on distribution and logistics training to help students transition from classroom to workforce, according to the statement.
The county expects to announce multiple projects of new investment and job creation early in the year, and a rail extension at the Willoughby Industrial Site on US Highway 76 is planned for the second quarter.
Marion County had GDP of $700.95 million and an average annual wage of $46,290. The unemployment rate was 6.9%.
Marlboro County, population 25,498, announced more than $185 million in investment and 24 added jobs, stemming from Bennettsville Printing, with an $8.4 million investment and 24 added jobs; Sopakco’s $22.8 million expansion; and St. Louis-based Birch Creek Energy’s $154 million investment in a solar power facility.
For 2026, the county plans to focus on attracting new investment, developing industrial sites, upgrading infrastructure, supporting workforce development and addressing affordable housing needs, NESA said. The county will continue to market a 50,000-square-foot speculative building and the 1.1 million-square-foot Mohawk buildings to attract additional industry. It has commenced renovation of the former Delta Mills facility, completion of which is expected by second quarter.
Marlboro County saw $740.85 million in GDP with average annual wages of $52,645. The unemployment rate was 8.6%.
Georgetown County announced the Silicon Ranch Lambert I and II solar projects, which totaled more than $250 million in investment. Its long-term economic and environmental benefits include about $14.4 million in tax revenue over 40 years. The county will keep its focus on port redevelopment planning and adding speculative industrial space. GDP for Georgetown County came in at $3.08 billion; the average annual wage was $51,332, and unemployment was at 5.9%.
In Horry County, Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp. announced three projects totaling more than $25 million in investment and adding 130 jobs. The economic development group will continue focusing on supporting existing industries, recruiting new investment and addressing infrastructure needs, the statement said. GDP for Horry County came in at $17.57 billion, with the average annual wage at $48,803 and unemployment at 5.9%.
Williamsburg County announced a 30,000-square-foot expansion at Andrews Fabricators of Kingstree Inc., a $3 million investment that will add 40 jobs. The county’s focus will be on improving site competitiveness and workforce development, and marketing its 52,000-square-foot speculative building in Kingstree. Williamsburg County saw $812.1 million in GDP and average annual wages of $47,307. Its unemployment rate was 8.3%.
Yancy McGill said, “We’re optimistic about the year ahead and remain committed to supporting county economic development efforts across the region. We’ll keep strategically recruiting and collaborating to bring more jobs and investment to our community.”
NESA held their annual meeting on Feb. 5.