The mayors of three Spartanburg County municipalities have pledged to collaborate with one another in making the most of economic development opportunities on the horizon with the development of the Saluda Grade Trail.
Campobello Mayor Jason Shamis welcomed Landrum Mayor Bob Briggs and Inman Mayor Cornelius Huff for a first-of-its-kind roundtable about working together on economic development for their communities.
The event was convened by OneSpartanburg and held at The Old Mill Village retreat, an event venue that could soon see a boost from its proximity to the proposed trail.
Shamis said growth opportunities in the northwestern corner of the county that will anchor the South Carolina portion of the 31-mile Saluda Grade Trail have a better chance of becoming reality if the communities work together.
Figuring out just what those opportunities may be for the “trail towns” is part of what will be determined in the next 12 months, according to Laura Ringo, executive director for PAL: Play, Advocate, Live Well.
PAL is one of three organizations forming the Palmetto Trail Conservancy, which signed a contract with Norfolk Southern in August to purchase the historic Saluda Grade rail corridor.
The conservancy has a year to conduct due diligence and raise the remaining funding for the purchase.
Ringo explained to the mayors, their city councils and members of the public at the meeting that continued community input will be crucial in finalizing plans for the trail.
***
Construction of the Milo’s Tea production facility in Moore is nearing completion, and the $130 million, 200,000-square-foot plant is expected to be operational by early November.
The family-owned, Alabama-based company will produce its signature sweet tea and lemonade in the new facility at the corner of U.S. Highway 221 and state Highway 290 near Interstate 26 in southern Spartanburg County.
Hiring for the facility has begun and is expected to continue over the coming months. Anyone interested in applying for a position can visit drinkmilos.com/careers.
***
Production for new mail delivery vehicles is ramping up at Oshkosh Defense’s $155 million production facility at the Flatwood Industrial Park in Spartanburg County.
The plant is producing zero-emission battery electric vehicles and fuel-efficient, low-emission internal combustion engine vehicles as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Next Generation Delivery Vehicle program.
Training vehicles were delivered to the United States Postal Service in April with the first units destined for active mail delivery following in June.
The company is still hiring for salaried and production positions. Anyone interested can visit readysc.org/oshkoshdefense.
***
Champion Foods, a Michigan-based producer of food products for store and private-label brands, is hiring for positions at its Gaffney facility.
The company specializes in pizza and breadsticks.
Champion is hiring for all shifts at its facility at 131 Corporate Drive, Gaffney. Anyone interested can visit championfoods.com/jobs.
