York County Economic Development

10/16/2026

Coming Before Council | October 19

This coming Monday, October 19, two potential economic development projects are scheduled to come before York County Council for first reading. These projects represent different industries in different parts of the county, and we wanted to share a little about each one.

Project Pear | Fort Mill

Project Pear is a European discount retailer looking at Fort Mill for the potential establishment of its first U.S. headquarters and distribution center. The project represents a capital investment of approximately $25 million and could create more than 190 new jobs.

Project Utopia | Clover

A proposed corporate office and research-and-development project in Clover, Project Utopia would expand the company's existing presence in York County, where it already has an established manufacturing operation. This project could bring more than 60 new jobs to the county.

Monday marks the first of three readings before County Council.

Interested in learning more? We invite you to attend the County Council meeting to learn more about the proposed projects.

Monday, October 19 | 6 PM
Government Center Building
6 South Congress Street
York, SC 29745

10/06/2026

More growth is coming to York County!

Re:Build is expanding its advanced manufacturing operations in Rock Hill with an approximately $20 million investment that will create 150 new skilled manufacturing and engineering jobs.

The expansion includes a new 130,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility on Williams Industrial Boulevard, supporting Re:Build’s continued growth in the aerospace, defense and industrial markets.

Operations are expected to be online in November 2026.

We’re excited to see Re:Build continue to invest and grow right here in York County!

Read the full press release on our website to learn more:https://www.yorkcountyed.com/news-media/announcements/rebuild-expands-york-county-operations

10/01/2026

That’s a wrap on our Small Business Focus Groups!

We recently gathered with Lake Wylie business owners for the final stop in our series of conversations with small businesses across York County.

Throughout these focus groups, we’ve had the opportunity to hear directly from local business owners about their experiences, challenges and ideas for strengthening the small business community. The feedback shared in Lake Wylie, along with insights gathered throughout the county, will help inform how we continue to support small businesses and entrepreneurs moving forward.

And as a reminder, there are less than two weeks left to participate in our Small Business Survey. If you own or operate a small business in York County and would like to participate, fill out the form below and we’ll send the survey directly to you.

Sign up here to receive the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8Y8TFB

Stay tuned. We’ll be sharing more about what we heard and the next steps coming out of these conversations soon.

09/15/2026

We’re listening. York County Economic Development has launched the York County Small Business Health Index, a new local measure designed to help us better understand how our small businesses are really doing.

Are you a York County business owner? If you haven’t received the survey yet, sign up for our communications list and we’ll send it directly to you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8Y8TFB

Your voice helps us build a stronger baseline to guide future programs, resources and support for small businesses across York County.

And thanks to our community partners helping us reach businesses across York County and bring more voices into the conversation.



Winthrop Region SBDC
York, SC Main Street
Clover Main Street
Discover Fort Mill
York County Regional Chamber
Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce
Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce
Rock Hill Economic Development
Gravity Center
The Loom Coworking Space

09/03/2026

Strong local economies start with listening to the businesses that help drive them.

Our Small Business Focus Group series continued in Fort Mill, bringing together local business owners to hear directly about their experiences, challenges and opportunities for growth.

Each conversation provides valuable insight into how we can strengthen our local business environment, better connect entrepreneurs with resources, and continue building a community where small businesses can start, grow and thrive.

Thank you to The Loom Coworking Space for providing a welcoming space for this conversation, and to the Fort Mill small business owners who shared their time and perspectives.

So far, we’ve heard from small business communities in Clover, Rock Hill, York and Fort Mill, and we’re not done yet. Next, we’re looking forward to continuing the conversation in Lake Wylie on September 24. Small business owners from anywhere in York County are welcome to participate. Learn more and register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/york-county-small-business-focus-group-lake-wylie-sc-tickets-1999049066571

Your voice matters. By listening to small businesses across York County, we can turn local insight into action and continue building a stronger environment for businesses to start, grow and succeed.

08/10/2026

York County’s culinary community is more than a collection of great places to eat. It reflects the talent, entrepreneurship and small businesses that contribute to a strong and vibrant local economy.

Make It York County was proud to be part of the US Foods YoCo Taste Trail Kitchen Takeover, where chefs from across York County showcased the creativity, skill and entrepreneurial spirit behind our growing food and hospitality sector.

Congratulations to Chef Rob of Kounter, the 2026 YoCo Taste Trail Kitchen Takeover Champion, and to Chef Justin Shaw of The Garrison at Tega Cay and Chef Benjamin Alwi of Fish Market Bar and Grill for an outstanding competition.

Events like the Kitchen Takeover provide an opportunity to celebrate the people behind our local businesses, highlight career talent within the hospitality industry and bring greater visibility to the entrepreneurs who help make York County a destination to live, work and visit.

The celebration continues with Visit York County, SC's YoCo Taste Trail Week, August 19–26, featuring more than 20 locally loved restaurants throughout York County. Supporting these establishments means supporting local business owners, their employees and the broader economic vitality of our community.

Explore York County’s culinary scene during YoCo Taste Trail Week and experience the local talent and businesses helping shape our community.

Learn more here: https://www.visityorkcounty.com/restaurants/yoco-taste-trail-week/

York County Regional Chamber

📸: Visit York County, SC

08/07/2026

Kinda chic to have big opportunities and a great place to call home.

Around here, economic development means growing businesses, building a strong talent pipeline, creating places people want to be, championing local makers and celebrating food grown right here in York County.

Good jobs. Great communities. Local flavor. Room to grow.

Yeah, we'd say that's kinda chic.

06/16/2026

Last night, York County Council approved first reading of incentives related to Project Palmetto Rock, a proposal by a global biopharmaceutical company to establish a corporate headquarters and advanced healthcare manufacturing campus at Palmetto Research Park in Rock Hill.

The proposed project includes approximately $1.5 billion in investment and more than 1,200 jobs.
A special called public hearing and second reading are scheduled for June 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the York County Government Center, 6 S. Congress Street in York.

The public hearing will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the proposal, hear directly from the company, and provide comments before County Council considers further action. At that meeting, the company will publicly identify itself and share additional information about its plans for York County.

The full press release is available in the comments below.

05/27/2026

We gathered great feedback hosting one of our Small Business Workshops at Steele Celebrating in York, SC, and then continuing conversations at Work at Wheel inside The Thread in Rock Hill.

Local business owners shared honest insight into the day-to-day realities of running a small business, what’s working, what’s challenging, and where they need more support. The focus groups created space for real conversation around how Economic Development can better support small business growth and long-term success.

There’s a lot of value in simply getting people in the same room to talk, share ideas, and realize they’re not navigating it all alone. We’re thankful to everyone who showed up and shared openly, and we’re looking forward to continuing these conversations in communities across York County.

04/30/2026

Small Business Month kicks off tomorrow!

At York County Economic Development, we’re proud to support the small businesses that fuel innovation, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth across our region.

Through the initiative, we’re highlighting opportunities all month long to strengthen our local business ecosystem and connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to grow and succeed.

Small businesses are key to York County’s economic vitality, shaping not only our economy but the true character and resilience of our communities.

York County is where business and community goals move forward together—and where small businesses have the support to succeed.