MetroConnects’ new $32 million campus near Mauldin is under construction.
The metropolitan sewer subdistrict serving Greenville County will move its expanding operations to the new facilities at 1151 W. Butler Road. Over the last three years, MetroConnects’ service area and staff doubled due to the regionalization of seven wastewater-collection systems in Greenville County.
A groundbreaking for the new campus was held in November. Construction is expected to be completed by spring 2026. MetroConnects plans to sell its current facilities at the South Carolina Technical Aviation Center to offset the project’s estimated $32 million construction costs.
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Samaritan Biologics to open $5M facility in southern Greenville County
Samaritan Biologics recently announced plans to open a $5 million manufacturing facility in Greenville County. The new, 11,000-square-foot facility will be on the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research campus.
The Tennessee-based medical-technology company’s facility will specifically be established within CU-ICAR Flex Lab One. Approximately 85 new jobs will be created from Samaritan Biologics’ expansion.
Samaritan Biologics specializes in human amniotic allograft products used for wound care, surgical applications and limb preservation. The company’s expansion in Greenville County will increase its efforts to provide physicians with tools to improve patient outcomes.
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Lockheed Martin provides update on Greenville operations
Greenville Area Development Corp. investors were briefed on the impact of Lockheed Martin’s operations in southern Greenville County during a November 2024 event.
The defense and aerospace manufacturer moved the production of its F-16 fighter jet to South Carolina seven years ago. Ben Peat, Lockheed Martin’s director of operations, said this move has expanded the company’s Greenville operations significantly.
Lockheed Martin’s average annual economic impact is approximately $1.3 billion. This is an increase from $100 million annually before F-16 production moved to South Carolina.
The company’s number of employees has also expanded to around 2,000, with 1,000 employees hired in the past two or three years. Peat said Lockheed Martin created a pre-apprenticeship program to aid staffing needs and works with partners like Ready SC, Greenville Technical College and the state technical college system to operate the program.
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The Mill at Fountain Inn opens new food hall
The Mill at Fountain Inn’s food hall officially opened to the public on Nov. 15, 2024. Three new restaurants are located in the 6,000-square-foot food hall including Bingbi Sushi, Birria Boy and Bistro 44.
The Mill at Fountain Inn is located at 100 Ellison St. in downtown Fountain Inn. The space was formally a flour mill with three historic structures. Along with the food hall, the Mill at Fountain Inn includes Fountain Inn Brewing Co. and indoor and outdoor seating.
