New Facility Opens, Creating Thousands of Job Opportunities in South Carolina
South Carolina is poised for significant economic growth with the opening of a new facility that promises to generate thousands of job opportunities. Scout Motors is in the midst of constructing a multibillion-dollar plant aimed at producing electric trucks and SUVs just north of Columbia.
New Facility to Create Thousands of Jobs
The Scout Motors facility is set to create approximately 4,000 jobs, with production expected to commence in 2027. While construction is ongoing, pre-hire training is already taking place at the recently inaugurated Cornerstone workforce training center, located about 10 miles away from the plant.
Workforce Training Initiatives
Cornerstone is designed to enhance job readiness among future employees. Clarice Henderson, Vice President of Human Resources for Production at Scout Motors, emphasized the importance of this facility in assessing and training new maintenance staff.
On the day of the opening, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and local leaders toured the new training center. This facility, costing $5 million, was funded through contributions from Richland County, the South Carolina Technical College System, and the state. Notably, part of the financing came from the $1.3 billion incentive package approved in 2023 to attract Scout Motors to South Carolina.
Training Partnerships
- Richland County contributes to the new training facility.
- Collaboration with Midlands Technical College and Trident Technical College.
- readySC, the workforce training division, manages the training initiatives.
“We want to ensure that our local residents are prepared to access these new job opportunities,” stated Jesica Mackey, Richland County Council Chair. The success of readySC’s training programs has attracted various companies to set up operations in the state.
Impact on the Local Economy
South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey noted that the state offers robust workforce training unique to the region. “What we’ve accomplished here has been replicated in other states, but never quite as effectively,” he said.
Tim Hardee, president of the Technical College System, shared that readySC has ensured that an average of 97% of the jobs created go to South Carolina residents, highlighting the program’s success in connecting local talent with new employment opportunities.
Leaders in the state believe that Cornerstone not only serves as a tool for economic development but also greatly enhances the quality of life for South Carolinians. Governor McMaster stated, “We have the talent and resources; we just need facilities like this to harness them.”
