BMW supplier Draexlmaier leads Spartanburg County economic development projects

Herald-Journal (Spartanburg, SC)

Nov. 30--Several new development projects totaling $142.7 million in investments and promising 561 new jobs are moving forward in Spartanburg County.

County Council this week approved tax breaks for the companies, led by auto parts supplier Draexlmaier Automotive of America in Duncan, which is planning a $39 million expansion and adding 463 new jobs.

Draexlmaier will pay the equivalent of a 6 percent tax rate, less than the typical rate of 10.5 percent for business and industry. The latest expansion follows a $28.4 million investment and 94 new jobs that were added in 2015.

The agreement has a clause that retroactively ends the tax break if the projected investment is not met.

Draexlmaier spokesman Ralph Schwarz said Thursday the expanded facility has already opened and many of the 463 employees have already been hired to make car interiors for BMW Manufacturing near Greer.

County Councilman David Britt said Draexlmaier has played an important role in BMW's expansions.

"They are one of our longtime excellent partners in Spartanburg that deliver a great product to a great company," Britt said.

Other projects moving forward included:

* Final approval of the planned $30 million expansion by auto parts supplier Minghua USA in Greer that is expected to create 78 jobs.

* Minghua USA is located at Velocity Industrial Park on Robinson Road in Greer. According to its agreement with Spartanburg County, Minghua USA will invest at least $24 million and create 78 new full-time jobs over the next five years for a reduced tax rate of 6 percent.

* First reading of Project Luther at 8090 Highway 11 in Campobello, which plans to invest $5 million and create 10 new jobs for a new facility to manufacture stamping and tooling products.

* Final approval for Atood Solar II at Battleground Road in Cowpens, which is planning to invest $2.7 million with no new jobs.

* Second reading for chemical products manufacturer Synthomer USA at 200 Railroad St., Roebuck, which plans to invest $16 million and create at least 10 new full-time jobs.

* Second readings for RP Spartanburg One and Spartanburg Industrial Property Owner, both of which plan to invest $10 million for a reduced tax rate of 6 percent. The location was not identified, and no new jobs are a part of this development.

* Second reading for Spartanburg Automotive Inc. and Spartanburg Stainless Products, 1290 New Cut Road, which is planning a $30 million investment with no new jobs.

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