WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 – Charleston News, Sports, Weather
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Governor Nikki Haley, Berkeley County Supervisor Bill Peagler and Volvo leaders gathered in the lowcountry Thursday to officially ink a deal that would bring the plant to Berkeley County.
“Excited to celebrate today Volvo Cars coming to South Carolina with their first American plant! The $500 million investment will create 4,000 new jobs here,” Haley stated.
An economic development agreement was signed Thursday by seven different parties, including Berkeley County. According to Berkeley County’s attorney, the agreement promises incentives to Volvo, like paying a fee in lieu of taxes, but the agreement does not set any numbers in stone. The specifics of the incentives will reportedly be negotiated later and will be contingent on the ultimate investment Volvo makes.
The company’s North American CEO, Lex Kerssemakers, said Volvo considered 60 locations across the country before choosing the site in Berkeley County for its new plant.
Executives with the company say hiring for the new plant will begin in 2017, with the bulk of hiring to happen in 2018.
“Here in Charleston and South Carolina, we have found our American manufacturing home,” Kerssemakers said. “It became clear to us that South Carolina wants us to succeed.”
Kerssemakers stated that infrastructure, a business-friendly climate and a capable workforce were reasons Volvo selected South Carolina over 60 sites nationwide for its first North American assembly plant.
Volvo representatives say they will begin building the factory in Berkeley County in early autumn 2015 and hope to have the first car roll off the lot by 2018.
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