Stanley Black & Decker manufacturing center in Fort Mill creates 500 jobs

YORK COUNTY, S.C. — Stanley Black & Decker, one of the world's largest tool and storage companies, announced Thursday it is opening a new manufacturing facility in York County.

The operations are projected to bring $31 million in capital investment and lead to the creation of 500 jobs.

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"Stanley Black & Decker's decision to invest in South Carolina and create 500 new jobs here is one that will change lives in York County,” Gov. Henry McMaster said. “Our state's manufacturing industry continues to impress, and having a global name like Stanley Black & Decker call our state home is a testament to our world-class workforce and competitive business environment."

A 345,000-square-foot facility will be built in the Lakemont Business Park in Fort Mill across from Carowinds for the manufacture and assembly of DeWalt cordless power tools.

Economic leaders said it is expected to draw workers from Charlotte and benefit the whole region.

"On behalf of York County, we congratulate Stanley Black & Decker on the announcement of this new, U.S.-based manufacturing operation,” York County Council Chairman Britt Blackwell said. “This is great news for our county and our state. We are thrilled to have this global manufacturer expand their footprint here in York County, and we look forward to the 500 jobs it will bring to our area in the years to come."

York County's economic development director, David Swenson, said the job market and booming housing market work together.

"The homes are putting a lot of people on the roads,” Swenson said. “The jobs are the ones that are paying bigger and better, and making it so people can afford the homes."

Stanley Black & Decker is a global provider of hand tools, power tools, electronic security solutions and engineered fastening systems.

"Fort Mill was just, I loved it, but now, I don’t know,” said Marie Smith, who worked in the Lakemont Business Park years ago. "In some ways it's good, but right now we have traffic issues.”

Explosive growth has burdened Fort Mill roads and schools, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

"For the economy it's good, but for the road system and schools, it's gonna be tough,” Cecil Hinton said.

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