"This is a company that is helping us improve our quality of life, helping us raise our standard of living, helping us move South Carolina forward," Governor Beasley said at the announcement ceremony.
BMW's expansion will add 1,000 new jobs and it doubles the automaker's investment to $1.2 billion since it began production three years ago. The company, which will have 3,000 employees when the expansion is complete, plans to build "sports activity" vehicles at its Greer plant. The company already makes Z3 roadsters at the plant.
The impact of BMW's expansion will most assuredly be felt across South Carolina, as the state's automotive cluster -- located in 33 of the state's 46 counties -- continues to grow. Governor Beasley said today that the state's auto sector is growing 10 times faster than the auto sector is growing nationwide.
"BMW's reach is far beyond the auto industry in South Carolina," the Governor noted. More than 20 suppliers have located in South Carolina since BMW decided to put its first U.S. manufacturing facility in the state. The suppliers have invested $350 million and created more than 2,100 jobs. The expansion is expected to add another 5 suppliers and 500 new jobs, in addition to $75 million more in capital investment.
"This did not happen all by itself. It happened because of the leadership of this state, working together, Democrats and Republicans saying that we wanted our people to get good jobs. We want our people to enjoy the quality of life that we're capable of getting," Governor Beasley said.