Cherokee County Development Board

10/28/2025

🌟 Now Hiring: Office Administrator / Accounts Assistant

Aerowerks Corporation of America – Gaffney, SC

Aerowerks Corporation of America is excited to announce the opening of our new manufacturing facility in Cherokee County, South Carolina!

We specialize in the design and manufacture of innovative material handling systems for the food industry. With systems installed on six continents, Aerowerks has built a global reputation for quality craftsmanship, strong engineering, and reliable performance — and now we’re growing right here in Gaffney.

Position: Office Administrator / Accounts Assistant

Location: Gaffney, SC
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Status: Full-Time
Pay Range: $42,000 – $45,000 per year

Job Responsibilities:

Maintain accurate records of office operations and financial documents

Assist with scheduling, meetings, and file organization

Provide administrative support to management and staff

Perform accounting tasks such as record-keeping, accounts payable/receivable, and billing

Assist with payroll processing and employee timekeeping

Organize office supplies, manage communication, and support HR documentation and onboarding

Perform additional administrative duties as needed

Qualifications:

2–3 years of experience in office administration or accounting

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Familiarity with accounting software (preferred)

Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills

Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities

📍 Apply Today!
Visit https://jobs.scworks.org/vosnet/jobbanks/jobdetails.aspx?enc=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 to learn more and submit your application.

💻 Don’t have computer access?
Visit the Gaffney SC Works Center at 111 Tiffany Park Circle, Gaffney, SC 29341,
or your nearest SC Works location.
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Aerowerks Corporation of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

10/03/2025

📊 South Carolina’s Industrial Tax Rate & FILOT Benefits

South Carolina recently lowered the industrial property tax assessment rate to 6%. A FILOT agreement brings an industry’s assessment rate to that same 6% level, creating a stable, predictable tax bill for the company and ensuring a guaranteed tax investment for the county.

How a FILOT helps Cherokee County:

- Locks in long-term investment from the company.
- Requires the company to maintain a certain level of investment, meaning when equipment wears out, it must be replaced and taxed at new value.
- Keeps Cherokee County competitive with other counties and states in recruiting new Industries.
- Provides millions of dollars in tax revenue for the County, School District, Rec District, Library and Emergency Services.

10/03/2025

📢 Myth vs. Fact

❌ Myth: Industries don’t pay their fair share of taxes.
✔️ Fact: One $150 million investment by a company, even under a Fee In Lieu Of Tax, equals the same tax revenue as 5,006 Cherokee County, SC homes.

10/02/2025

🌟 Ever Wondered How Industrial Recruitment Works in Cherokee County, SC? 🌟

Have you ever wondered how the Cherokee County Economic Development Office brings industries to our community? Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the process:
🔍 Request for Information (RFI):
We receive RFIs from various sources:
- 70% from the SC Department of Commerce
- The rest from Upstate SC Alliance, realtors/brokers, utilities, and sometimes our own economic development personnel.

📋 What's an RFI?
An RFI provides details about the project, including:
- Project name (Rarely Gives Company Name)
- Project Information
- Site Requirements
- Capital investment
- Number of jobs

🏗️ Project Evaluation:
We ensure the project aligns with our county's values and needs. We do not work with industries like junkyards or gasification that could be detrimental to our community.

🔍 Site Selection:
We look for compatible sites based on the project's needs, such as site size, water, wastewater, natural gas, and power requirements. We also make sure it will have minimal impact to residents and businesses in the area. Once a site is identified, we begin filling out the RFI, which takes about 1-2 weeks, covering utilities, property, costs, transportation routes, taxes, workforce and many other things.

📤 Submission:
Once completed, the RFI is sent to the Upstate Alliance and/or the Project Manager at SCDOC, who then forwards it to the site selector or project for evaluation. In some cases we submit sites through a website. Sometimes we work directly with the site selector, but always involve SCDOC at some point.

🏢 Site Visits:
If our site is still in the mix after a site selector evaluates the property, a site visit is scheduled. This usually includes a meeting at our offices on Spartanburg Community College - Cherokee, where we discuss:
- Community and workforce
- Quality of life
- Training
- Housing and education opportunities
- Support of industries
- Then we tour the site(s)

🤫 Secrecy:
Sometimes we have to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) when working with companies exploring new sites. This protects the company as they plan their expansion—leaking information could impact their stock or give competitors an advantage. For the county, even a small slip could risk another location swooping in on the project. Confidentiality helps everyone stay on track and ensures the best outcome for the community!

🤝 Incentives Offer:
If the project is interested in our sites we receive a Project Profile Sheet that tells us committed investment amounts by year, job numbers by year, and confirmed pays for each job. We use this to prepare an incentives offer based on factors like capital investment, job numbers, base pay, and site location. We conduct a Fiscal Impact Analysis to determine the fiscal and economic benefits after incentives.

The county incentives offer is sent to SCDOC, who compiles with their incentives into an incentives package for the project. If everything aligns, the project chooses Cherokee County, and the real work begins.

📜 Final Steps:
At the Cherokee County Development Board, we work closely with county administration, economic development attorneys, and project teams to create a formal agreement called a FILOT. This agreement goes through a careful process, including three county council readings and a public hearing. Once that process is complete, the project is usually announced—though sometimes we must wait due to state processes or confidentiality requirements.

📝 The Process:
Projects can take a few months to years to finalize. For example, Niagara Pharmaceuticals took two years, while Champion Foods took two months. It's important to understand that all aspects have to be rights for a project to choose a site. You can have the best workforce in the world, but if you don't have utilities to a site it just doesn't work.

Jim Cook, CCDB Executive Director (Retired), says, "Economic Development is like a three-legged stool. If you take one leg away, it will collapse. We need ensure all three legs are strong."

Cherokee County is committed to bringing quality industries to our community, ensuring responsible growth and sustainable development, balancing economic benefits with environmental protection, community well-being, and long-term infrastructure capacity! 🌟

10/01/2025

🚀 Cherokee County is on the Rise! 🚀

Over the past 10 years, Cherokee County has stepped up its efforts in economic development, and today we are starting to see the fruits of that work pay off. From the Clari wastewater extension, to the Sunny Slope Industrial Park and the Upstate Corporate Park, and working with developers to deliver major facilities like the 555,000 SF building in Cherokee Commerce Center 85 just outside Gaffney and two 200,000 SF buildings in Stateline 85 near Blacksburg — each project has played a key role in positioning our county as a serious player for site selectors and industrial projects.

And we’re not slowing down. The Gateway Project to be completed June of 2026, a 17-mile wastewater line to Exit 106 and halfway down Highway 5, is another major step in ensuring Cherokee County is ready for future growth. It will open thousands of acres of potential industrial properties along I85 and Hwy5.

Since January 1st, the Development Board has been working closely with brokers, site selectors, realtors, property owners, and all of our utility partners to make sure we have everything needed to attract new investment and jobs. It’s a long road, and it takes a village.

🙏 Thank you to everyone who makes this possible:

Our Legislative Delegation Senator Harvey Peeler, Brian Lawson, Rep Dennis Moss for prioritizing Cherokee County for funding

Cherokee County, SC County Council for their leadership and planning for responsible growth

The BPW, Broad River Electric Cooperative, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, Town of Blacksburg, South Carolina and York County Natural Gas Authority for ensuring we have the infrastructure to support development

And our Development Board Members, who volunteer their time to serve the residents of Cherokee County

Since 2015, the average wage in Cherokee County has grown from $12.13 to $20.95/hour. Our goal is to push that to $23/hour with the exciting projects already in the works.

We have come a long way in the last decade, but we know there’s still more work ahead. Our mission is simple: bring high-paying jobs that give our residents a better quality of life.

With the continued support of our the Legislative Delegation county council, and citizens, Cherokee County will keep moving forward — creating a community where people can live, work, and play.

There’s been a significant uptick in economic development projects here. Cherokee County Development Board Executive Director Ken Moon said that Cherokee tops all other Upstate counties with 150 inquiries this year from companies looking to locate here. That number is already a dramatic increase f...

09/29/2025

🚨 **Now Hiring in Cherokee County!** 🚨

Aerowerks Corporation of America is bringing a new manufacturing facility right here to **Gaffney, SC** – and they are looking for motivated individuals to join their growing team!

✨ Aerowerks is a **family-owned company** with a true **family atmosphere**. They value hard work, teamwork, and a willingness to learn. If you’re looking for a career where you can build skills, earn **great pay ($18–$20/hr)**, and be part of something bigger, this is the place for you.

💼 **Current Opportunity:**
**Trainee Welder / Fitter / Polisher**
👉 No experience? No problem – **we’ll train you!**
👉 Learn TIG welding, polishing, blueprint reading, and more.
👉 Travel opportunities for final equipment installations across the U.S.

💡 What they offer:
✔️ 70% employer-paid health, dental & vision insurance
✔️ Paid holidays + PTO
✔️ Full-time, steady weekday schedule (Mon–Fri, 8 AM – 4:30 PM)
✔️ Career growth in a supportive team environment

If you’re **enthusiastic, punctual, and ready to learn**, Aerowerks wants YOU on their team. This is your chance to start a rewarding career with a company trusted worldwide – with systems installed on **6 continents**. 🌍

📍 Apply in person at:
**SC Works Spartanburg** – 111 Tiffany Park Circle, Gaffney, SC 29341
Or your nearest SC Works office.

You can apply online here: https://jobapscloud.com/SCCAT/sup/bulpreview.asp?R1=11&R2=907&R3=10

➡️ Don’t just find a job – **build a future** with Aerowerks.

We are hiring for Aerowerks - Trainee Welder/Fitter/Polisher.

09/26/2025

🚀 Upstate Corporate Park – Built for Growth, Ready for More! 🚀

There have been major changes since this video was produced, but one thing remains the same: Upstate Corporate Park is still one of the best locations for industry in the Southeast.

Since filming, exciting progress has taken place:
🏭 GXO, a 3PL provider for Amazon, has built a 1.2 million SF facility.
💊 Niagara Pharmaceutical has completed the upfit of the Cherokee County Spec Building and is now in full operation.

📍 Located just miles from the Inland Port of Greer, companies here benefit from direct access to international markets. The Inland Port allows businesses to:

Connect seamlessly to the Port of Charleston by rail
Reduce drayage costs and shipping times
Move goods efficiently in and out of global markets

🔌 Infrastructure Advantage:
Water & wastewater provided by the BPW
Power from Broad River Electric Cooperative or Duke Energy, depending on location in the park

🌎 Unmatched Logistics:
Reach 72% of the U.S. population (235M people) within a 2-day ground delivery
Reach 40 million people in 1 day — more than Atlanta (+38%) and Charlotte (+41%)
Enjoy the geographic benefits of major metros without the congestion and high costs

📦 Foreign Trade Zone 38:
Provides a secure, profitable platform for competing globally
Available to importers/exporters at warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities

👷 Workforce Strengths:
Over 1.2M people within a 1-hour drive
14.26% underemployed workforce ready for opportunity
Excellent state and county-level training programs
Business-friendly environment: South Carolina is a Right-to-Work state with limited union presence

✅ Also designated as a Multi-County Industrial Park, creating even more advantages for incoming businesses.

Upstate Corporate Park offers the location, logistics, workforce, and incentives your company needs to thrive.

📲 Contact us today to learn how your business can join the success already happening here!

09/25/2025

🏭 The Henson Industrial Site – Ready for Your Industry! 🏭

Looking for a site with infrastructure, flexibility, and location? The 30-acre Henson Site in Cherokee County, SC, is designed to deliver.

📐 Development Potential: Conceptual plan supports a 200,000 SF facility with room for an additional 100,000 SF building.
💧 Utilities:

18" wastewater line with on-site pump station (BPW)
8" water main served by Town of Blacksburg, South Carolina
⚡ Power: Dual electrical providers – Broad River Electric Cooperative or Duke Energy for reliability.
🚛 Access: Immediate proximity to I-85 in one of the fastest-growing areas of the Upstate.
✅ All Due Diligence Completed – this site is truly shovel-ready.

Cherokee County offers a business-minded, pro-growth atmosphere and competitive incentives to help industries thrive.

🎥 Check out the video to see why the Henson Site is the perfect fit for your next project!

📌 Note: Land use restrictions apply within 1,000 ft of I-85 or a state highway.

📞Contact the the Cherokee County Development Board today for more information.

09/23/2025

🌟 Prime Industrial Opportunity in Cherokee County! 🌟

Check out the Edwards Site in Blacksburg, SC — now showcased with a stunning drone video that highlights its full potential from the sky! 🚁✨

Located right off I-85 and featuring direct rail access, this site offers unbeatable transportation advantages for manufacturing, logistics, and distribution. Whether by road or rail, your business can connect to markets quickly and efficiently.

Cherokee County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Upstate, offering:
✅ A pro-business, forward-thinking atmosphere
✅ Competitive incentives
✅ Access to a skilled workforce
✅ A community committed to supporting industry

The Edwards Site is ready for your vision — whether expansion or new development, this location provides the space and infrastructure to make it happen.

🎥 Watch the drone video and see why this site stands out from the rest!

📲 Contact us today to learn more about how your business can thrive in Cherokee County.

09/23/2025

🏭 **Industrial Facility Available for Lease in Gaffney, SC!** 🏭

Looking for a well-located, move-in ready industrial space? Check this out:

📍 **Address:** 373 Huntington Rd, Gaffney, SC 29341
📐 **Size:** \~20,000 SF total — includes \~16,500 SF warehouse + \~3,500 SF office/showroom under the same roof

Priced to Move!
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**Why this building is a great opportunity:**

- Just **2 miles from I-85** — excellent access to major transportation routes
- High ceiling (≈ 17 ft-6 in) for warehouse/storage flexibility
- Multiple loading options: 2 dock-high doors + 2 drive-in doors
- Ample parking (24 spaces) for staff & visitors
- Heavy power (3-phase), natural gas, full utilities (water, sewer, telecom) already on site
- Located in a **Tier-4 incentive zone**, Cherokee County

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If your business needs a combined warehouse + office/showroom with great access, this could be a perfect fit.

📞 **Interested?** Reach out to:
Drake Scott, Colliers – [email protected]
Dillon Swayngim, Vice President, Colliers – [email protected]
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🔁 **Share this post** if you know someone who might be looking for industrial space in the Gaffney / Cherokee County area!

Located just two miles from Interstate 85, this ±20,000-SF fully conditioned industrial facility offers ample office space and close proximity to local industrial/manufacturing business’

05/09/2025

Just want to remind everyone that concert season starts at Jolly Park tonight with Ryan Perry.

05/02/2025

Congratulations to Aerowerks on selecting Gaffney, South Carolina, as your new location! 🎉 Your choice to set roots in Cherokee County, with its rich history and vibrant community, is truly exciting. Gaffney’s prime spot along the I-85 corridor and its proud title as the "Peach Capital of South Carolina" make it the perfect place for your innovative business to flourish. A huge thank you to the City of Gaffney, SC City Council and Cherokee County, SC County Council for their support in making this move possible. We’re thrilled to welcome Aerowerks to a city that blends Revolutionary War heritage with modern opportunities, and we look forward to the positive impact you’ll bring. Here’s to new beginnings and soaring success in Gaffney! 🚀