Laurens County Development Corporation Hosts Annual Meeting to Highlight 2024 Achievements
January 22, 2025
On Tuesday, January 21, the Laurens County Development Corporation (LCDC) held its annual meeting at Musgrove Mill Golf Club, drawing a full house of community leaders despite frigid temperatures and the threat of snow. The gathering served as a platform to showcase LCDC’s significant achievements in economic development over the past year while offering insights into the future.
The meeting began with a welcome from Jonathan Coleman, President & CEO of the LCDC. Coleman emphasized the organization’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation in Laurens County, saying, “2024 was a strong year for economic development in Laurens County, and it is a testament to the collaboration and dedication of our partners. Together, we are building a solid foundation for continued success.”
Keynote Program: The Inside Scoop on Site Selection
The featured speaker for the evening was Sarah White, Principal and Vice President of Site Selection at Global Location Strategies (GLS). With over 60 years of experience in the field, GLS has been a global leader in location strategy, site selection, and incentive negotiations since the 1970s.
White provided an in-depth look at the phased approach to site selection for industrial and manufacturing corporations. Her presentation covered project definition, location benchmarking, virtual and field site visits, and incentive negotiations. She also highlighted critical decision-making factors such as cost, quality, and risk, analyzed through more than 120 criteria.
White’s insights extended to the roles of state and local economic development organizations, utilities, transportation providers, and elected officials in supporting the site selection process. She addressed challenges like dwindling site inventory, strained energy infrastructure, and labor market issues, emphasizing the importance of site readiness programs and state funding for development.
LCDC 2024: A Year of Growth
The meeting also recapped LCDC’s significant accomplishments in 2024:
- 2024 Announcements:
- 8 companies announced expansions or new operations
- 250 jobs created
- $257.4 million in total investment
- Five-Year Performance Metrics:
- Capital Investment: $1.44 billion
- Jobs Created: 2,305
- Wage Growth: 21% increase, rising from $17.31/hour in 2020 to $21.93/hour in 2024
- Requests for Information (RFIs):
- 2024 saw 60 RFIs, with a five-year high of 81 in 2023, showcasing sustained interest in Laurens County.
Board of Directors for 2025-2026
The LCDC introduced its incoming Board of Directors for 2025-2026, representing a diverse group of leaders across various sectors:
- Chairman: Brown Patterson, Laurens County Council
- Vice Chairman: Shawn Bell, City of Fountain Inn
- Secretary: Jeff Field, Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC)
- Treasurer: Jim Donahoo, Laurens Electric Cooperative
- Past Chairman: Steve West, Duke Energy
- Amanda Benfield, Laurens County Chamber of Commerce
- Justin Benfield, Prisma Health – Laurens County Memorial Hospital
- Matthew Brownlee, Laurens County Council
- Jimmy Capps, Clinton Newberry Natural Gas Authority
- Mayor Stellartean Jones, Town of Gray Court
- Randy Lis, Piedmont Rural Telephone
- Dr. David O’Shields, Laurens County School District 56
- Dr. Hope Rivers, Piedmont Technical College
- Dr. Jody Penland, Laurens County School District 55
- Mayor Nathan Senn, City of Laurens
- John Young, Laurens CPW
- TBD, City of Clinton
This board reflects the collective strength of Laurens County’s leadership and their commitment to driving economic growth in the region.
Reception and Networking
Following the program, attendees participated in a reception and networking session, where the energy in the room reflected the optimism for Laurens County’s economic future.
Looking Ahead
As the LCDC continues its mission into 2025, Coleman reiterated the importance of collaboration and innovation. “The progress we’ve made in Laurens County is the result of strong partnerships and a shared vision. Together, we will continue to bring opportunities and growth to our community.”
For more information about the LCDC’s initiatives and upcoming projects, visit https://growlaurenscounty.com.
