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Sumter County council adopts incentive package for Project Black Nickel; company pledges 300 jobs
Summary
Sumter County Council unanimously adopted Ordinance #23-992 on Dec. 12, 2023, authorizing a fee-in-lieu and incentives for Project Black Nickel, which its CEO described as a German firm planning a facility in Pocotaligo Industrial Park with more than $500 million in investment and about 300 skilled jobs.
Sumter County Council voted unanimously on Dec. 12 to adopt Ordinance #23-992, authorizing a fee-in-lieu of ad valorem taxes and related incentives for a project identified as Project Black Nickel.
Economic Development Director Jay Schwedler opened the public hearing and introduced company representatives. Dr. Erik Eschen, introduced by staff as the company’s CEO, said Black Nickel is a 100-year-old German firm planning to build and operate a facility on about 85 acres in the Pocotaligo Industrial Park on Highway 521 South to manufacture earth permanent magnets for the automotive industry and for U.S. defense uses. He described the plan as more than a half-billion-dollar investment that would create about 300 skilled jobs in Sumter County and said the company aims to be transparent about its plans and operations.
During the public hearing, residents raised concerns about the lack of information provided and whether the company’s origin was foreign. Lewis Watson said he was not against the project in principle but opposed moving forward without more details, and Jackie Hughes said she did not know enough about the proposal and was concerned about the company’s origins. Dr. Eschen told the council the company is from Germany and emphasized openness about the venture.
Following the public hearing, Vice Chairman James R. Byrd, Jr. moved to grant third reading and adopt the ordinance; Councilman Artie Baker seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
The county asked council and staff to attend a public announcement scheduled for Dec. 13, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Opera House. The ordinance authorizes the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu and infrastructure credits and makes multi-county industrial park benefits available to the project, subject to the county’s agreement terms.
The council’s written minutes note that the county attorney was out due to a medical issue during the meeting and that additional implementation details will be handled by county staff and appropriate legal agreements.
Council did not adopt any separate conditions during the meeting beyond authorizing the agreement and scheduling the public announcement.
