Company that eyed Brunswick Co. plans SC expansion

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A company that chose South Carolina over a site in Brunswick County for the home of a new factory is planning to expand that facility.

The Sumter Item in South Carolina reports Sumter County Council approved an amendment to a fee agreement with Continental Tire the Americas to increase the company’s investment in the area by $275 million and 100 jobs.

Back in 2011 Continental considered a site in Brunswick County near the Columbus County line for its plant before picking Sumter, which led to North Carolina leaders blaming each other for the loss.

According to the Sumter Item, Sumter County and Continental started an agreement in March 2012 that required the company to invest a minimum of $400 million and create a minimum of 1,174 jobs.

Continental was again linked to Brunswick County last year, when it was revealed during a NC House debate that economic incentives, which the House voted down, included possible breaks for another Continental Tire plant. But Brunswick County’s Economic Development Director later said the so-called Project Diamond was not Continental. At the time, Jim Bradshaw said Project Diamond was still alive, but no company has since signed on to build a plant in the area.