The idea is as straightforward as it is ambitious: Create 400 paid, work-based learning opportunities for Spartanburg County high school students to gain real-world experience working for some of the community’s leading employers.
The OneSpartanburg Inc. initiative is the latest among the organization’s multifaceted efforts to grow the talent pool county employers need to remain successful.
The initiative officially kicked off Oct. 30 with a group of local business, governmental and nonprofit leaders signing an internship pledge to create the positions.
Among the organizations committing to the initiative are Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, the Spartanburg Academic Movement, the city of Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, Kids Upstate and Spartanburg County school districts.
National polling among employers suggests that internships and the experience they provide are among the leading considerations employers look at in hiring, according to Taylor Dement, OneSpartanburg’s director of talent solutions.
Not only does an internship provide company-specific work experience, but it tends to be a good indicator that a prospective employee is more likely to stay in a job longer, Dement said.
The hope is the initiative will create momentum for other businesses to create work-based learning opportunities within their own organizations, said Ron Garner, OneSpartanburg’s chief talent officer.
“I just want to extend a challenge to every business and industry in Spartanburg: join us. Together we can strengthen Spartanburg’s talent ecosystem and continue to better attract and retain talented individuals to our community,” he said.
Spartanburgers partner with Fox Sports Spartanburg
The Hub City Spartanburgers, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers, announced Oct. 29 it has entered a long-term media partnership with Fox Sports Spartanburg.
Under this agreement, a majority of the Spartanburgers’ 132 regular-season games and postseason games will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Spartanburg 98.3 FM. Throughout the year, the station will also work with the team to develop radio entertainment and host live shows from Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg.
“Fox Sports Spartanburg is a radio broadcast leader in Spartanburg and the greater Upstate area, and I am excited our fans will tune in to 98.3 FM to stay up to date for all things Spartanburgers Baseball,” said Tyson Jeffers, general manager of the Spartanburgers. “This is another step toward professional baseball officially being back in The Burg.”
The Hub City Spartanburgers’ home games will also be simulcast on MLB At Bat, MiLB.tv and the Bally Live App.
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CH Realty Partners secures $50M loan for MycoWorks Union facility
CH Realty Partners LLC, a real estate development and investment firm, announced Oct. 16 it has secured a $50 million loan to refinance its 150,000-square-foot industrial facility in Union.
The building at 260 Midway Drive houses MycoWorks, a pioneer in mycelium technology for sustainable manufacturing. The plant utilizes advanced robotics, digital analytics and artificial intelligence to automate 80% of its production process.
“We are pleased to play a role in the growth and development of a forward-thinking company such as MycoWorks,” said CH Realty Partners founder Philip Cyburt. “This transaction not only strengthens our position in the Greenville-Spartanburg market but also reflects our dedication to partnering with companies that are shaping the future of sustainable manufacturing.”
MycoWorks’ Union facility employs over 350 people.
Benteler to invest $47.9M to expand operations
Benteler Automotive Corp., an Austria-based global automotive supplier, is investing $47.9 million to expand its Spartanburg County operations, the company announced Oct. 22.
The company’s investment in its existing facility, located at 1255 Howell Road in Duncan, will consist of building improvements and updated machinery, fixtures and furnishings.
Part of the global metal-processing specialist Benteler Group, Benteler’s Spartanburg plant supplies automotive-welded assemblies and modules to automobile manufacturers globally.
The company’s products include chassis systems, structures, exhaust systems and engine applications. Expanded operations are already online at the Spartanburg County facility, which opened in 2006.
