Advanced Manufacturing

Advantages

Logistics

Located at the intersection of I-95 and I-20, our region is perfectly positioned to move product up and down the east coast and to many major markets to the west. Mix in our access to Inland Port Dillon, which connects directly to the deepwater Port of Charleston via Class 1 CSX rail, and you can quickly see why moving products from our region to the world is extremely easy. Companies like Harbor Freight have proven just how successful you can be here as their distribution center in Dillon County is the second largest distribution center in the United States.

Low Business Costs

Stable and competitive property tax and state corporate income tax rates, comprehensive incentives programs, proactive utility providers, and a cooperative regulatory environment allows companies to focus on running their operations. The key word that we would like to emphasize when referring to our business-friendly environment is "help" as we are a small state with big resources. Anything from infrastructure to utility needs to workforce training, help is just a simple phone call away for employers who are fortunate enough to locate in the northeastern region of South Carolina. We are here to help companies maximize their success.

Skilled Workforce

If an experienced, well-trained, skilled, and available workforce are what you are seeking, look no further than northeastern South Carolina. Our companies use this region's productive workforce to churn out all-terrain vehicles, engine components, injection-molded plastics, machinery, steel, fabricated metals, packaging products, and much more. With a workforce age population of just over 1 million within 60 miles of the region's geographical center, we have a very robust labor pool to draw from. 9.1% of the labor force is employed in manufacturing operations, a rate which is higher than the national average (8.1%). Our state and region also offer some of the best workforce training programs in the country to help bolster our diverse workforce and train your employees to meet the needs of your business.

“Shovel Ready” Industrial Sites

NESA and our member counties have dedicated tremendous financial resources to prepare our region to win industrial projects. As a result, we can offer low-cost industrial properties, several having railroad access, that have completed extensive engineering and infrastructure due diligence. Our "shovel-ready" sites have saved companies months of lost time and thousands of dollars in preliminary engineering costs. We invite you to come see what we can offer your company.

Right-to-Work State

With the lowest unionization rate in the nation and a skilled workforce that works directly with management on continuous improvement opportunities, our region is ideal for manufacturing operations.

Quality of Life

From the racetrack to the art gallery, sandy beaches to the sand hills, fine dining to fine fairways, there's something for everyone in the NESA region. You can take in Art Fields, the annual, internationally acclaimed art festival that attracts thousands of visitors to the small town of Lake City every spring. You can be a part of NASCAR history each Labor Day weekend with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. There's also world class eateries ranging from elegant white table cloth venues, to lick-your-fingers delicious national award-winning barbecue. Let's not forget the Golf Capital of the World: Myrtle Beach, and so much more! Oh, and did we mention you can enjoy all of this in a region where the cost of living is 9% lower than the national average?