RIDGEWAY – In an announcement ceremony that included Gov. Nikki Haley and S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt, Fairfield County Wednesday morning introduced the company they called “the anchor” of the County’s new industrial park: BOMAG Americas. The announcement came before a standing-room-only crowd at the Fairfield Commerce Center on Peach Road in the heart of the industrial park where BOMAG, a subsidiary of the French company FAYAT, will break ground next month.
“I am pleased to announce this new partnership with South Carolina and Fairfield County,” said Walter Link, president of BOMAG Americas. “We believe this area offers our company several benefits, such as close to port of entry, proximity to air hub for spare parts fulfillment and a climate conducive to offering year-round sales and service training for our customers. Our intent with this project is to strengthen our North American organization with the objective of being closer as well as better serving our customers.”
BOMAG Americas, a producer of compaction equipment, milling machines, asphalt pavers and reclaimer/stabilizers for road building and other construction markets, represents an $18.2 million investment in Fairfield County and is expected to bring 121 new jobs over the next five years to their assembly operation and showcase room at the new site. The new facility will span 127,600 square feet, with 107,100 square feet devoted to an assembly area and spare parts warehouse, along with 20,500 square feet of office space. BOMAG estimates the facility will be completed and ready for business in October.
“Fairfield County is pleased to welcome BOMAG Americas as the anchor tenant in our new industrial park, Fairfield Commerce Center,” County Council Chairman David Ferguson (District 5) said. “The decision of this world-class company to locate in Fairfield County is further evidence that our strategic location on the I-77 corridor, skilled workforce and business-friendly environment provide the key components businesses need to be successful.”
Tuesday night, County Council finalized an incentives package for BOMAG (referred to as “Project Compact” on the agenda), to include a fee in lieu of ad valorem taxes agreement and the transfer of property in the industrial park from the County to BOMAG. Councilman Mikel Trapp (District 3) did not attend, while Ferguson was out of the country. Details of that package were not available at press time. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development, meanwhile, approved job development credits and a $1.1 million rural infrastructure fund grant for site preparation and infrastructure improvements in order to help bring BOMAG to Fairfield County.
