Georgetown County economic development meeting focuses on turning "vision to investment"

Georgetown County is laying the groundwork for its next wave of jobs and investment, local and state leaders told business, education and government representatives Friday at the county's inaugural economic development meeting.

The Georgetown County Alliance for Economic Development and the County Economic Development Department hosted the event, themed "Vision to Investment," at Pawleys Plantation. It featured an update on county projects, an economic outlook from a Clemson University economist and panels on workforce and business recruitment.

"When I look back over the past year, one word definitely comes to mind, and that's momentum," said Kelly Robertson-Slagle, the county's economic development director. She said much of the most important work happens long before a ribbon cutting, through site preparation, infrastructure and relationships with businesses.

Supporting existing industry

Robertson-Slagle said taking care of employers already in the county is one of her department's highest priorities. Interfor is pursuing an investment of about $9 million in its Georgetown operation, and AgruAmerica is planning about $28 million in its local facilities. The department is also working with Envirosep, Zilmet USA, Mai Tai Boats and other longtime employers on expansion opportunities.

"When existing companies choose to reinvest in Georgetown County, it's a vote of confidence for our community," she said.

Getting sites ready

The county is working to have sites and buildings ready when companies come looking. At the Georgetown Business Center in Andrews, a partnership with Santee Electric Cooperative has produced one completed speculative industrial building, and a second is under construction.

The county is also making progress on the proposed Highmarket Business Park, about 400 acres along Highway 521, with property acquisition targeted for the end of 2026. Pennyroyal Industrial Park, with more than 1,000 acres and rail access, remains one of the last large industrial properties in South Carolina.

At the Georgetown County Airport, the county completed about $6.3 million in runway improvements this year and is evaluating an aviation commerce park on the surrounding property.

Port planning underway

Work continues on a master plan for the roughly 46 acres of waterfront property at the former Port of Georgetown site, which the county took on in 2023. The planning firm Seamon Whiteside held the first public open house in October. Development concepts are expected early next year, and the plan is targeted for completion in spring 2027. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed dredging of the Georgetown harbor.

Residents can share ideas and sign up for updates on the port master plan website,  gtcountysc.gov/portmasterplan.

The county is also working with property representatives, investors and regulators to support redevelopment of the former International Paper and Liberty Steel sites.

Telling Georgetown County's story

Robertson-Slagle said her office has made a point of getting the county in front of decision-makers. This year she met with more than 30 site selection consultants at national conferences. She also joined the SC Power Team on a trip to Ontario, Canada, to visit eight manufacturers interested in expanding in South Carolina.

The county also hosted leaders of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the S.C. Department of Commerce's global business development team.

"Economic development is a team sport," she said. "No organization can do it alone."

Ronald Carter, chairman of the Alliance, said the organization updated its bylaws to add board representatives from the county's municipalities, the school district, the Northeastern Strategic Alliance and Coastal Carolina University. The Alliance also launched new investor levels for 2027, ranging from $500 to $5,000, so businesses of all sizes can take part.

Economic outlook

Dr. Rob Carey, director of the Regional Economic Analysis Laboratory at Clemson University, said South Carolina continues to outpace the nation in economic and job growth, helped by a diverse economy, lower cost of living and quality of life.

Georgetown County's unemployment rate is somewhat higher than the state's, a result of the paper mill and steel mill closures, Carey said. But employment fell less than he expected and is already recovering.

"You got hit hard, but you didn't get hit as hard as you could have," he said. "That's very encouraging."

Carey said the county's airport, port, rail access, colleges and quality of life are strong assets for attracting investment. He noted that industrial and commercial growth plays a key role in funding schools and local services.

Building the workforce

A panel moderated by Yolanda McCray, president and CEO of Black River United Way, brought together Georgetown County School District Superintendent Dr. Bethany Giles; Brandon Haselden of Horry-Georgetown Technical College; and Eric Grothaus, chief human resources officer at Sixaxis in Andrews.

Giles said the district is focusing on reading and math skills starting in second grade. It also plans to begin career exploration in middle school and to work more closely with employers through career days and advisory councils. Haselden said 90% of HGTC students stay in the area after school. He urged wider publicity of local job openings, since many residents commute to jobs outside the county.

Grothaus said students who tour his company often say they had no idea such careers existed close to home. "Letting people see what is here is the first step," he said.

Competing for investment

A second panel featured James Chavez, president and CEO of the SC Power Team; Jeffrey DeLung of the Northeastern Strategic Alliance; and Didi Caldwell, president and CEO of the site selection firm Global Location Strategies.

Caldwell said companies face shortages of available sites, power and workers, so being ready is critical. She said making Pennyroyal accessible by barge would make it nearly unique on the East Coast. Chavez announced a statewide program to bring 10,000 seventh graders into local industries and encouraged employers to take part. He also offered a $25,000 grant toward an updated county economic development strategy.

"Communities win projects, not individuals," DeLung said.

The event opened with remarks from motivational speaker and author Chris Singleton, who urged attendees to work together and to welcome new businesses and residents.

"If you want to go fast, go alone," he said. "If you want to go far, you got to go together."

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