South Carolina: Rural Towns Land 40% of $9B Investment

South Carolina's smallest towns are proving that big opportunity doesn't just belong to cities anymore.

The state announced $9.12 billion in new capital investment and over 8,100 jobs for 2025, with a stunning 40% of both flowing directly to rural communities. That's the highest share these towns have seen since 2010, marking a turning point for regions often left behind in economic booms.

Rural areas pulled in $4.25 billion in investment across 34 different projects. These aren't just any jobs either. The new opportunities span agribusiness, automotive manufacturing, energy production, and wood and paper products, giving small town residents diverse career paths close to home.

Governor Henry McMaster credited the success to South Carolina's focus on workforce development and business-friendly policies. "Our success in rural communities shows that opportunity exists in every corner of our state," he said Wednesday.

The shift didn't happen by accident. Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III pointed to deliberate collaboration between state leaders, local economic developers, and community partners who worked together to make rural areas attractive to major employers.

The Ripple Effect

When a manufacturing plant opens in a small town, the benefits multiply quickly. New jobs mean families can stay together instead of moving to cities for work. Local businesses from restaurants to hardware stores see more customers. Schools get more funding from increased tax revenue. Young people graduating high school suddenly have reasons to build their futures in their hometowns.

The 2025 numbers represent the state's third-highest year for industry recruitment ever recorded. Out of 82 total projects announced, 34 chose communities classified as Tier III and IV development areas by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, the state's official designation for rural counties.

This wasn't just one or two big wins skewing the numbers. The geographic spread ensures sustained economic growth across every region, from the mountains to the coast. Small towns that once watched their young people leave for opportunities elsewhere now have compelling reasons to keep families rooted.

The investment totals prove that companies see value in rural communities when infrastructure, workforce training, and local leadership align. These aren't charity projects or token gestures. Businesses are betting billions that South Carolina's small towns can deliver results.

For thousands of families in rural South Carolina, 2025 brought something increasingly rare: the chance to build a good life without leaving home.