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Tag: Manufacturing

$19M early childhood education center being constructed in Spartanburg County

By Chris Lavender. Originally posted by The Post & Courier Spartanburg on May 8, 2025

DUNCAN — A $19 million early childhood education facility will soon take shape, providing additional resources in a rapidly growing section of Spartanburg County.

On schedule to open in August 2026, the 44,500-square-foot Middle Tyger Education Center at 101 S. Danzler Road will sit across from Duncan Elementary School.

The project is possible through a partnership involving SEW Eurodrive, Spartanburg County School District 5, Spartanburg Academic Movement, Middle Tyger Community Center and the S.C. General Assembly.

The school district donated 13 acres for the new center.

Lt. Gov. Pam Evette stopped on May 7 at SEW Eurodrive in Wellford to speak on the new center and efforts statewide to boost early childhood education.

“There’s also a lot of work gone into providing school choice, and education remains a top priority in South Carolina,” Evette said. “The new center for early childhood education being developed for this community at large will be a template and model, and I am hoping to talk about it all over the state with other businesses.”

The new center will have 17 classrooms and serve up to 260 children ages 6 weeks through 4K. The new center will create 25 jobs.

Middle Tyger Community Center Executive Director Haley Grau told The Post and Courier the new center will help expand the district’s current model.

“We want to make sure that we can keep serving children and provide high-quality child care,” Grau said. “This is going to be incredible for our workforce. We just want to make sure people can work and have child care.”

The average cost for child care annually in the area is about $14,000 annually or $300 per week. The new center is expected to alleviate the financial strain of child care on families in the region.

SEW Eurodrive is among the project’s supporters. The company is a global private industry that manufactures gearboxes.

“SEW Eurodrive is proud to invest in the future of this community by supporting the Middle Tyger Education Center,” said Rainer Blickle, vice president of SEW Eurodrive USA. “We believe strongly in the mission of MTCC and in the power of early education to uplift families. This project will have a lasting impact not only for our employees’ families, but for the broader economic and social health of the region.”

Former state Rep. Rita Allison, who attended a media conference at SEW Eurodrive, spoke about the new center’s innovative partnership.

“The center is going to be an economic development tool,” Allison said. “There are so many places in our state that need this model with the school district, Middle Tyger Community Center and businesses coming together with all their talents.”

The site at the corner of East Main Street and South Danzler has been cleared of trees for the new center, and construction should start in late 2025.

Grau said children with disabilities and living in poverty are prioritized in the center’s child care program enrollment process. The two-story facility will also include space for future expansion and playgrounds.

Spartanburg Academic Movement has committed $500,000 for the project. Grau said the General Assembly earmarked $3.5 million for the project.

$19 million childcare campus coming to Spartanburg County

by Sacarlett Lisjak, originally posted May 7, 2025 by WSPA

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette was in Spartanburg County on Wednesday, highlighting a new education development coming to the Duncan area.

Evette toured global manufacturing company SEW Eurodrive’s facility, but she also came to talk about an investment made by the company.

“What we really wanted to talk about first and foremost is on top of their exceptional product, quality and workmanship is what they are doing for this community and using their philanthropy dollars to come together to help early childhood development,” Evette said.

SEW is helping to fund a new early education campus for local family resource facility, known as Middle Tyger Education Center.

“They are taking their treasures and making a center for early childhood development that isn’t just for their employees but for the community at large,” Evette said.

The goal is to address the shortage of early childhood education resources in the area.

“We know that childcare comes at the center of a healthy thriving family, and we are in the midst of a childcare desert. There is not enough high-quality early care in education to meet our industry and residential demands,” said Haley Grau, th executive director of Middle Tyger Community Center.

The center, once completed, will span more than 44,000-square-feet; sitting on approximately 13-acres of land donated by Spartanburg School District 5.

State and local officials said the development will go a long way to alleviate the demand for early childcare in the area.

“We can expand our early care in education program, that is daily childcare, from 60 slots to 285 slots, not just 5 classrooms but 17 classrooms,” Grau said.

Middle Tyger Community Center said the new building will offer the most infant to one-year old slots in the state.

The project is estimated to cost $19 million and is expected to open in August 2026.

South Carolina skilled trades: A call for hands-on talent

By Destiny Kennedy, originally published by WMBF on May 7, 2025

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) -Local leaders and organizers highlight the growing need for skilled workforce in the trades industry.

Join us as we speak with the Horry Georgetown Home Builders Association about the importance of getting people involved in the skilled trades.

South Carolina Lieutenant Governor, Pamela Evette stopped by to discuss the rising demand for skilled trades and the steps the state is taking to support workforce development.

We even spoke with Horry Georgetown Technical College and BELFOR about their hands-on training programs that are preparing students for careers in trades.

If your interested in a career in skilled trades, visit Horry Georgetown Home Builders Association’s website here.

Grand Strand Today airs weekdays at 11 am on WMBF News.

Vance Touts ‘Technology of the Future’ on Display in South Carolina Steel Plant

The vice president rejected claims that U.S. trade policies are geared to ‘bring back jobs of the past,’ citing Nucor operation as ‘jobs of the future.’

By John Haughey, originally published May 1, 2025

Vice President JD Vance didn’t have new trade deals to announce, nor did he address trade negotiations or changes to President Donald Trump’s tariff regime during his May 1 tour of Nucor’s steel plant outside Huger in Berkeley County, South Carolina.

Instead, he came to the 62-acre, 30-year-old plant 35 miles north of Charleston to celebrate the Trump administration’s first 100 days, calling it “the beginning of the industrial renaissance in the United States of America.”

“A ‘golden age of American manufacturing’ started 100 days ago, and we’re building it right here at Nucor Steel in South Carolina,” Vance said after touring the plant, which employs 1,000 workers and 350 contractors.

Vance was accompanied by South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Zeldin said federal agencies “should be doing nothing but helping American manufacturing,” not building regulatory roadblocks.

“We believe we can both protect the environment and grow the economy. We choose both,” Zeldin said.

He noted the EPA in March initiated “the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States of America” to boost energy development and foster a domestic “manufacturing renaissance.”

Those early moves—including 25-percent tariffs on steel and aluminum—are important for domestic heavy industry, Nucor CEO Leon Topalian said.

Under the new administration’s policies, “Nucor will continue to invest and grow this company … ensuring our nation has the strongest and most diverse steel and steel products available anywhere in the world,” he said.

In a Feb. 10 executive order, Trump reinstated his “full” 25-percent tariff on all steel imports imposed during his first administration.

The tariffs are authorized under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which gives the president the capacity to adjust imports to “protect national security.”

While President Joe Biden lifted Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs on certain countries, such as Japan and the United Kingdom, he retained most and expanded those against steelmakers in China.

Vance dismissed criticism of the president’s tariffs and trade policies from people he said “ought to know better.”

The president’s policies “do a very simple thing—rebalance trade in favor of American workers and American businesses, instead of foreign workers and foreign corporations.”

State of Domestic Steel

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, America’s iron and steel industry produced 81 million tons of “raw steel” in 2024 with an estimated value of $120 billion, a 10 percent decrease from $132 billion produced in 2023.

U.S. steel production ranks fourth globally behind China, India, and Japan.

China dominates the market, producing 1,000 million tons annually, accounting for approximately 54 percent of global trade, according to the World Steel Association.
The Department of Commerce’s U.S. International Trade Administration reports the U.S. imported 26.2 million metric tons of steel worth $33 billion in 2024, a 2.5 percent increase in imports from 2023.

Its data show 2024 steel imports from 79 nations. U.S. buyers purchased $7.7 billion in steel from Canada, followed by Brazil ($4.5 billion), Mexico ($3.3 billion), and South Korea ($1.9 billion).

In 2014, there were 150,000 people employed in the U.S. steel mills, and another 70,000 working in foundries, who produced $113 billion in steel, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
An IBISWorld April 2025 report documents 80,713 employees and 235 U.S. steelmaking businesses in 2024. It projects a $4 billion 2025 decline from 2024’s $139.6 billion in U.S. steel revenues.

This trend must end, Vance said, calling the Nucor tour a “meaningful stop” for him because his grandfather, “the man who raised me,” worked 40 years as a welder at Armco Steel in Middletown, Ohio.

Yet, he said, “I’ve actually never had a tour of a steel mill” until viewing Nucor’s plant, where the control room is “like a spaceship.”

“I felt like Homer Simpson,” Vance said.

“What it made me realize is this technology … We use this term [and] we think about it as iPhones in our pockets … But technology is happening right here at a steelmaking facility in Newport, in Berkeley, in South Carolina. That is the technology of the future.”

He then refuted claims that Trump “wants to bring back the jobs of the past.”

“I don’t think anything could be further from the truth. I don’t see the steel mill jobs in the past,” he said.

“I see the steel mill jobs in the future. I see technology allowing us to do something today that my grandfather, God love him, wasn’t doing 40 years ago at Armco Steel in Middletown, Ohio.”

Nucor, Cleveland-Cliffs, Carpenter Technology, Commercial Metals Company, Steel Dynamics, and U.S. Steel are the largest American steel producers.

Nucor, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, was established in 1897. It is North America’s largest steelmaker and recycler.

According to the company, it employs more than 32,000 Americans in 300 sites, including nine operations with a 2,500-worker payroll in South Carolina, integral to the 500 companies associated with auto manufacturing in the state.

“Every year, Nucor produces about 25 percent of the steel consumed in the United States at our 26 steel mills,” Topalian said.

Nucor reported $30.7 billion in 2024 sales, an 11 percent decline in revenues from 2023, the company reported in its 2024 Annual Report. Meanwhile, it enjoyed a 10 percent boost in production over the first three months of 2025, it says.

Vance did not address what Trump may decide regarding the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japan-based Nippon Steel.

Before leaving office in January, Biden issued an order prohibiting the $14.1 billion acquisition. Trump also opposes the sale.

Supporters, which include local United Mine Workers unions in the Pittsburgh area, say the deal would elevate U.S. Steel from being the world’s 16th largest steelmaker to being part of the globe’s third-largest steel producer.

Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel have filed a lawsuit challenging Biden’s decision.

Despite his misgivings, in an April 7 presidential memorandum, Trump directed the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review the proposed sale “to assist me in determining whether further action in this matter may be appropriate.”

By mid-to-late May, the committee will provide “a recommendation … describing whether any measures proposed by the parties are sufficient to mitigate any national security risks.”

From The Epoch Times
World’s largest center console boat travels through South Carolina today

By Stephanie Moore, originally published on WYFF4 February 3, 2025

DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. —

The world’s largest center console boat is traveling in South Carolina on Monday.

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office announced it was helping State Transport Police in escorting the boat and announced traffic delays in the area.

Police said the boat will be going from the Charleston Harbor to the Summerville area.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette posted on social media on Jan. 17 about the unveiling of Scout Boats’ new 670LXS — the world’s largest outboard-powered, center console boat.

Evette said bringing this vessel to market is just “one more example of SC’s innovative fingerprints leaving their mark on the world.”

Steve Potts, CEO and founder of Scout Boats, said the 670LXS “is like no other.”

“Not a detail was missed,” Potts said. “Our all-new flagship, the 670LXS, is the largest outboard-powered boat in the world. We created something that didn’t exist in the marketplace, yet it is still distinctly a Scout. We compromised nothing and expected everything.”

Scout Boats is located in Summerville, South Carolina.

Fighter jets manufactured in Upstate to help U.S. ally

by Kelci O’Donnell, originally posted 1/31/2025 by WSPA

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – The United States is strengthening the defense corporation of one of our allies with new fighter jets.

Officials said it’s one of the latest lines of defense, the F-16 Block 70, manufactured in Greenville. For the first time in history, it will soon occupy the sky in the Republic of Bulgaria.

The F-16 is one of the most iconic fighters in history, symbolizing enduring partnerships, industrial collaboration, and security over the past 50 years, according to Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

“That’s the sound of freedom,” test and lead production pilot for Lockheed Martin, Chris Nations said, while candidly speaking about the jets’ loud sonic booms.

That sound of freedom is marking a significant milestone for the United States.

“We’re grateful for Bulgaria’s partnership in this endeavor and its commitment to long-term defense plans,” said Maj. Gen. Ricky Mills, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs.

On Friday, the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet that will be sent to Bulgaria was unveiled at the Donaldson Center.

Air Force leaders said it’s a more than $2 billion investment that came to fruition through the efforts of members of the U.S. government, representatives from Bulgaria, South Carolina elected officials, and Lockheed Martin employees.

According to the manufacturing company, the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 took flight on October 22 around 9:30 a.m. EDT at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville. It was officially unveiled three months later.

Bulgaria is the second European country to receive the fighter jet, according to a Lockheed Martin press release.

“We do not want war with our adversaries abroad, but we will not shy away from it,” said Rep. William Timmons, who represents South Carolina’s 4th congressional district. “We will be ready. Your investment in F-16s makes you ready.”

“We have assets all across the company and across the U.S. government making sure that the Bulgarian Air Force is able to use the F-16 to its utmost ability,” said Nations.

Chris “Sasquach” Nations began his 20-year Air Force career on an F-16 fighter jet. He’s now playing a key role in testing and training the next generation at Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin is home to the production of the state-of-the-art military aircraft, the latest of which will modernize Bulgaria’s fleet.

“It’s way more capable. It flies faster. It’s more deadly,” said Maj. Myyah Lockhart, Tennessee State Partnership Program Director with Bulgaria. “You’ve got air policing missions that need to be flown out over the Black Sea region. To have this aircraft in their inventory puts them at the top tier of fighter air superiority.”

With this contribution, South Carolina is making a difference across the globe to enhance defense and security.

“Seeing those young men and women who are here at Lockheed Martin building those plans and the amazing amount of pride that they take, knowing that they are building these aircraft to keep our allies safe all over the globe, I love to talk about South Carolina’s fingerprints,” said South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette. “South Carolina’s fingerprints are across the globe.”

Lockheed Martin leaders said 16 fighter jets will be shipped to Bulgaria. The first eight should be in operation by the end of the year.

“We look forward to many more years of partnering with them in military efforts,” added Lockhart.

Lt. Gov. Evette says delivery of F-16 to Bulgaria is “Peace Through Strength”

By Rey Llerena, originally posted January 31, 2025 on WYFF4

GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —

Lockheed Martin has delivered the first F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft to Bulgaria as the country plans to develop its air force.

The aircraft was delivered in a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville County facility on Friday morning, with top Bulgarian defense officials in attendance.

“With the acquisition of this multirole fighter capable of performing a wide range of tasks, we’re marking the beginning of the modernization of our combat aviation,” said Atanas Zapryanov, Bulgaria’s minister of defense.

Friday’s ceremony marked the first of 16 total F-16 Block 70s that will eventually be delivered to Bulgaria.

Chris Nations, Lockheed Martin’s chief F-16 test pilot, said the F-16 has been in service for more than 50 years. He said the Block 70 is the most capable version to date.

However, before the aircraft are delivered to customers, Nations said they are tested in the Upstate, where some people can hear sonic booms.

“That is the sound of freedom,” Nations said. “Realistically, what that is making sure that these jets work exactly like they’re supposed to. On the very first flight, after we’ve put the tires on and strap the wings on, I’ll take that aircraft up to over 40,000 feet in the air.”

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said these planes are one way the state is helping with national security.

“This is peace through strength,” she said. “Making sure that our allies have the equipment they need to keep their citizens safe is something we’re passionate about here. We’ve heard since President Trump took office, ‘How do we bring up the U.S.’s military might to make sure we keep our people and our country safe?'”

Lockheed Martin said there are more than 700 F-16s currently in service across Europe.

Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette visits Summerville for Scout Boats unveiling

By Aeon Bailey. Originally posted in the Journal Scene 1/22/2025

On Thursday, Jan. 16, in Summerville, Scout Boats hosted an unveiling event for the 670 LXS, which the company’s website describes as “one of the largest outboard-powered sportfishing yachts” in the world. In attendance was South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who spoke at the unveiling.

“This is such a thrill for me to be here,” Evette said. “As Lieutenant Governor, I talk about our boaters, especially Scout Boats and the bragging rights that they give South Carolina. Sometimes, I don’t believe we see the forest for the trees with the amazing manufacturers we have here in our state, but manufacturers like Scout Boats allow us to send South Carolina’s fingerprints all across the globe.”

Evette has attended business events in the past, including for political causes such as Donald Trump’s rally at Sportsman Boats in 2023, when South Carolina’s Small Business Leaders for Trump Coalition was announced. In a press release from the Trump campaign, Evette is quoted as saying, “No one has done more for America’s small businesses than President Donald J. Trump.” Trump was also mentioned at the Scout Boats unveiling, with one company official jokingly saying to the crowd that while the president-elect could not be there, he’d stated Scout Boats is “making boats great again.”

Evette’s website highlights her business involvement, including her time serving as a member of South Carolina’s Small Business Regulatory Review Committee.

“As Lt. Governor, Evette has used her professional background to serve the people and businesses of South Carolina,” according to the website. “She has dedicated her time to highlighting S.C.’s thriving small business ecosystem and attracting new business to the Palmetto state.”

The event consisted of a meet-and-greet, an unveiling, a tour of the boat and a reception.

SC Lt. Gov visits Bamberg discussing economic development, rural communities

By Shawn Cabbagestalk, Originally Posted Jan 17, 2024 by WJBF News Channel 6

BAMBERG, S.C. (WJBF) – South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette visiting Bamberg, S.C. It was one of many stops focusing on economic development and rural communities. “We know when companies come to rural communities, it, it changes everything for a town and a county and a city,” South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette said.

In the aftermath of last week’s E-F 2 tornado, Lt. Gov. Pam Evette did not tour the damage. Instead, she toured Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing to highlight economic prospects in the area. Our cameras were not allowed inside for security reasons. “I met Phoenix when they were up in Greenville. They won a manufacturing award. So I said, I’d love to come down and see what you’re doing. So that’s what’s brought me here today, to become a better salesman for our state,” she added.

During the strategic tour, she highlighted the transformative impact of industrial development in rural areas and its positive effects. “When somebody makes an investment in our small communities, little by little all kinds of things start to change,” she said. “Grocery stores start to look at coming here, strip malls start to pop up. Builders get excited about building homes in those areas.”

Her vision extends beyond immediate challenges, addressing healthcare concerns and emphasizing the need for infrastructure development, including broadband access. “As other companies see the exciting growth that happens and how communities, really make them part of everything that’s happening, we know that that kind of news is very infectious,” she shared. “South Carolina is where everybody’s looking to grow and we’re looking to show ’em the success in these areas.”

Lt. Gov. Evette plans to visit the tornado-hit area to assess the damage, collaborating with South Carolina EMD to coordinate federal assistance. “They’re waiting word, to see what kind of funding, and how what they’ll declare that incident. So we’re just kind of waiting now on the feds,” Lt. Evette said. “I’m excited to see, the rebuild down here and just how it attracts people from all over the state to come down and support, support the businesses that have been impacted.”

She also visited the TICO tractor factory in Jasper County.