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Union County approves up to $4.86 million incentive to secure $200M expansion by local manufacturer
Summary
The county approved a step 4 economic development incentive grant of up to $4,860,000 over seven years to keep a confidential existing Union County employer’s $200 million expansion in the county, adding a proposed 100,000-square-foot facility and 70 new jobs.
Union County commissioners approved a step 4 economic development incentive grant to help retain a local company’s planned $200 million expansion and new facility in unincorporated Union County.
Ron Male, Union County economic development director, told the board that the company — identified in staff materials as Project 7 and kept confidential pending state-level incentives — is an existing county employer with a corporate parent based in another state. Male said the parent company is considering locations in two other states but plans to build a 100,000-square-foot production facility on land it already owns in the county if local incentives are approved.
Male summarized the confirmed terms: the project would represent a roughly $200 million capital investment, create about 70 full-time positions with an average annual wage of $75,000 plus benefits, and is expected to generate roughly $6.08 million in ad valorem taxes during the grant period. Male said about 44% of the company’s current workforce already lives in Union County, which staff said would help ensure the new jobs benefit local residents.
To support the expansion, staff recommended a step 4 economic development incentive grant not to exceed $4,860,000 paid over seven years, starting in fiscal year 2028. Commissioner John Elms moved to approve the recommendation and to authorize the county manager to negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with the agenda item, including extension options and termination authority for the manager; the motion passed.
Commissioners asked timeline questions: Male said the state-level process and company timeline make a public announcement likely within weeks, and the company indicated it could begin site work no later than the fourth quarter of the year if approvals proceed. Commissioners also asked whether the site can support future expansion; Male said roughly 70 to 80 additional acres are available for future growth.
The board’s approval is conditional on completion of a negotiated agreement consistent with the grant terms. Male and commissioners described the award as a competitive tool to keep a large manufacturing investment in Union County.
