Abbeville County Economic History

From its inception, Abbeville County’s "can do attitude" has been reflected by its significant contribution to the regional and state economies. Beginning in the mid 1700s and through the mid 20^th Century, Abbeville County’s economy was purely agricultural with cotton and cattle farming being the major source of income for local residents. However, by the mid 1960s the development of industrial enterprises, primarily in the area of textiles, rivaled agriculture as the area’s economic engine. Companies such as Milliken and Westpoint Stevens discovered then what many companies know now: Abbeville County provides a highly productive and attractive location for their operations.

Abbeville County is part of the burgeoning Upstate South Carolina region, which is often referred to as the "I-85 Corridor." This strategic location, 30 minutes south of Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina, and two hours from Atlanta and Charlotte provides a location that is appealing to many types of industry. Abbeville County is home five business parks, four of which are controlled by the County or municipalities. These sites offer immediate access to electric, water, sewer, natural gas and highways. Interstate 85 is only 30 minutes from Abbeville County and the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is approximately 45 minutes from the County. The East Coast’s most efficient port, the Port of Charleston, is just three hours from Abbeville. Businesses locating or expanding in Abbeville County qualify for the state’s highest level of incentives due to the County’s rural nature. Thanks to competitive electrical service providers and pro-business local governments, Abbeville County offers some of the lowest operating costs in South Carolina and the Southeast. Industries find that Abbeville County’s workforce meets their needs due to the area’s strong work ethic, right-to-work environment and workforce training available through Piedmont Technical College. A skilled workforce of over 368,000 is located within 30 miles of Abbeville County’s Honea Path area, which is home to Beverage Air, Morton Metal Craft and Milliken.

As Abbeville enters the 21^st Century, the County’s economy continues to evolve, with a number of companies recognizing that Abbeville County offers an outstanding business climate. High tech and traditional manufacturing operates side by side in Abbeville County with many national and international firms such as Beverage Air/Carrier Corporation, Flexible Technologies, Mohawk Industries, and Pirelli Cables and Systems, making new and expanded investments in the County. In 1999, Abbeville County had the second highest level of new investment and job creation per capita in the State of South Carolina with industries investing approximately $37.5 million in facilities and creating 616 new jobs. Today, there are more than 30 industrial companies located in Abbeville County that employ nearly 4,000 people.

When all of these factors are taken into account it shouldn’t be surprising that Abbeville County often emerges as an optimal site for industry.