When global technology and industrial company Johnson Controls was searching for a site for its newest state-of-the-art battery recycling facility, it came to the same conclusion dozens of other advanced manufacturing companies have reached – there is no better place than the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) Region of South Carolina.

Low taxes, a pro-business climate, a dedicated workforce, proximity to Atlantic ports and well-developed infrastructure make the nine-county NESA Region the perfect location for growing businesses. Distinct advantages of the region include electrical, construction, land and labor costs lower than the national average, water systems with millions of gallons per day of excess capacity and telecommunications providers that offer broadband service with available SONET (synchronous optical networking), T-1 lines and self-healing networks.

The region’s extensive transportation network covers two airports, Class I rail service, quick access to East Coast ports and two interstates – I-95 and I-20. Proposed plans for another interstate, I-73, would connect Myrtle Beach with Michigan, opening up even more economic opportunity.

Those are just a few of the reasons why Johnson Controls is investing $150 million in its fully integrated battery recycling facility in Florence, where it is creating up to 250 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs.

A Business-Friendly Region

"Our decision to build a state-of-the-art recycling center in Florence demonstrates our commitment to the environment and the region," says Alex Molinaroli, president of Johnson Controls Power Solutions. "We chose this area because it is ideally situated to serve our existing manufacturing facilities in Oconee and Winston-Salem, and there is a noticeable gap in recycling service to the Mid-Atlantic region."

“Through our existing operations, we have been very impressed with the quality of the workforce and the quality of life the state provides,” he continues.

Worldwide packaging solutions company Sonoco, which operates its global headquarters in Hartsville, has invested in the region for years.

“Sonoco’s history in South Carolina dates back to 1899," says Harris E. DeLoach, Sonoco CEO and chairman. "We’ve been in the fortunate position to not only grow and expand our operations within the state but also globally. And even more importantly, we’ve had the opportunity, as one of the largest companies in South Carolina, to influence and work with the state to improve the business climate."

The company has benefited from the region's infrastructure, including ports, railways and interstate highways, "but we have always believed that it is important to give back to the communities in which we live and operate," DeLoach says. "We have close ties with local schools, including the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics and Coker College, and state schools, such as the University of South Carolina and Clemson University, where we helped fund the Sonoco Institute of Packaging Design and Graphics."

Home to Diverse Industries

The region boasts a strong track record as a center for manufacturing and distribution for Fortune 500 companies and others, but it is also becoming a magnet for call centers, aerospace companies and manufacturers specializing in plastics and green products. Recent arrivals include:

•Otis Elevator is investing $40 million and creating at least 360 jobs at its new facility in Florence.

•5-STAR USA, a venture capital start-up, is locating its headquarters in Bennettsville and investing $25 million to set up a manufacturing campus to support new businesses.

•ECAPS, which makes sustainable aluminum composite materials, is investing $3.4 million in its facility in Bennettsville, where it expects to create 150 jobs.

•Carolina AAC, a producer of energy-efficient concrete, is investing $20 million and creating 36 jobs at its new facility.

•3V Incorporated, a global manufacturer of specialty chemicals, is investing $15 million to expand its Georgetown facility and create 30 engineering and technician jobs.

•PolyQuest, which distributes recycled PET used in plastic packaging and automotive products, recently expanded for the seventh time in the past decade, investing $8 million to increase capacity at its Darlington plant and creating 20 jobs.

Monster.com is the latest global call center to locate in the region, and QVC is one of several national distributors that has expanded in the area recently. The region has also attracted an influx of food production companies, including Heinz. Designated as one of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) “Great Regions,” the area was awarded a Rural Business Opportunity Grant from the USDA, which the organization will use in its efforts to recruit more agribusiness companies.

Geared for Growth

With more than a million people within 60 miles of its center, the NESA Region is best known for its productive workforce, which has continued to grow in proportion to an increasing population. Regional technical schools, colleges and universities, including the premier Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT), partner with industries to produce highly skilled workers. Employers can also take advantage of the state's ReadySC program, which provides free job recruiting, screening and training through the South Carolina Technical College System.

NESA is committed to the success of the region and the businesses that invest here, says Executive Director Jeff McKay.

“I feel strongly that part of the consideration in bringing any company to our region is that NESA and all of our partners at the local and state level will make sure that we are working closely with prospective employers well past the initial point of agreement, through the entire, often challenging process of making such an investment,” McKay says.

“We believe that by seeking out each and every prospective opportunity, regardless of what may or may not fit into our preconceived notions about modern industry, we will maximize our economic development success and find those companies for whom the NESA region is the best fit,” he continues.