U.S. Commerce Department Invests in Laurens County

06/20/2017

$1.3 Million Will Help Attract FDI and Create Jobs in South Carolina

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Jay Williams today announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the U.S. Commerce Department is awarding a $1.3 million grant to Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission of Laurens, S.C., to help build critical water and sewer infrastructure for an industrial park to support foreign direct investment. According to the grantee, the investment is expected to create 80 new jobs and generate $17.6 million in private investment.

As a member of South Carolina’s Upstate Alliance, Laurens County has a global marketing presence that will help it continue to attract direct foreign investment. The primary beneficiary of this project is a Turkish non-wovens manufacturing company. This investment will support economic diversification and resiliency in a region subject to flooding. It will also support the future expansion of other foreign companies in the United States.

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“The Commerce Department is committed to improving our nation’s infrastructure to attract private investment, which is crucial for job growth,” said Assistant Secretary Williams. “The grant announced today will support the development of an industrial park that will attract foreign direct investment to create jobs in Laurens County.”