Buying a new home is a big deal. For many homeowners, it's one of the most important decisions they ever make. When it comes to such a substantial choice, there are a lot of factors to consider, like:
Getting the answers to those questions can be hard but finding a trustworthy manufactured home company can be even more challenging. Sure, you could settle for a fly-by-night company or a shady mobile home dealer. But if you're like most folks, you want to work with a reliable company that has been in business for years. You need a team of professionals who can answer your questions, address your concerns, and sell you a quality home that will keep your family safe and sound.
Welcome to Ken-Co Homes Inc. - your premier choice for mobile home sales in Blythewood, SC. Ken-Co Homes has been Lake City's go-to manufactured home since 1974. With several locations in South Carolina, we're the first choice for manufactured homes in the state. As longtime locals in the community, we pride ourselves on honesty, hard work, and running a manufactured home business that you can count on.
There's no secret sauce that makes Ken-Co Homes successful. We work hard, sell the finest Clayton, Destiny, Scotbilt, Homes, and treat our customers like we would like to be treated. That's why, when you meet our team for your home tour, you'll be treated with respect and greeted with a warm smile. Whether you have questions regarding financing or the fit and finish of a floorplan, we'll maintain that same level of kindness, courtesy, and honesty. That way, you know for sure that you have invested in a top-notch manufactured home that your family will love.
Unlike other manufactured home dealers, we have a full selection of Clayton Homes for sale with attractive floor plans to fit your unique lifestyle. When you choose Ken-Co Homes, you're also choosing:
We offer our valued customers a $500 guarantee that we will meet or beat ANY competitor who has a lower price on one of our homes with the same options. Don't believe us? Contact our office today!
With decades of combined experience, our team has the tools and know-how to make your buying process smooth and stress-free.
Buying a home can be challenging, especially with travel logistics and other factors at play. Our team can help answer any questions you have about buying a home and transporting it to a park or piece of private land.
When you buy from Ken-Co Homes, you're investing in a high-quality product that your family will love for years to come. With more than a dozen home choices, you're sure to find a new home that matches your lifestyle.
We'll work with you one-on-one to ensure you get the home of your dreams. If you have questions or concerns once you move in, give us a call - we're here to help.
We offer detail-oriented, experienced set-up crews that make living life in your new home easy and efficient.
At Ken-Co Homes, we offer flexible financing options to help make buying your dream home a reality.
Whether you're looking for a smaller two-bedroom manufactured home or a large, luxurious four-bedroom manufactured home, our friendly consultants are ready to help you build the home of your dreams.
"Is there a difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home?" is one of the most common questions we get online and in person. Today, many people use mobile home and manufactured home interchangeably. That's understandable because both types of homes share similar features and benefits for homeowners. However, understanding the minor differences can be valuable when searching for a new place to call home.
Unlike site-built homes, manufactured homes are built in a factory. Once completed, they're shipped to a specific location where the homeowner will live. The term "manufactured home" refers to any factory-built home constructed after June 15, 1976. That date is when the HUD or U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented guidelines centered around manufactured home construction.
HUD code requires manufactured homes to be constructed on a base frame with wheels with a minimum of 320 square feet.
Thanks to fast build times and lower material costs, manufactured homes for sale in Blythewood, SC is often more cost-effective for home buyers. Compared to traditional site-built homes, many manufactured homes can be up to 35% less than more traditional houses.
Any mobile homes built after June 15, 1976, are considered manufactured homes today, though many people use the term mobile home casually. In the past, these homes were used to travel and were more like the expensive RVs that people use today than true manufactured homes. Back then, mobile homes received a bad reputation due to poor build quality, but they've come a long way since that time. Today, mobile homes are safe, comfortable, and structurally sound, with many types of amenities and floor plans.
Manufactured homes are more popular in the U.S. than ever, and for good reason: prospective homeowners are looking for affordable, quality alternatives to traditional homes. That's especially true today, with inflation on the rise, necessitating more budget-friendly options for anyone who wants to put a roof over their heads.
If you're used to living in a traditional, site-built home, you may be wondering what the advantages are of buying a manufactured home. Here are just a few of the most common benefits of buying a manufactured home:
When you boil it down to the basics, buying a new home is all about the money. One of the most attractive reasons for buying a manufactured home is that they are often much less expensive than traditional site-built homes. Today, manufactured housing is considered a crucial part of the housing shortage solution and a viable option with inflation rising. According to statistics, the average square-foot cost of a site-built home is $107, while the average price is only $49 in a manufactured home. Whether you're sticking to a strict budget or your finances have changed due to poor economic conditions, going manufactured might be your best choice.
Owning a manufactured home gives the homeowner long-term living options. Because basic manufactured homes are usually very affordable, families with enough land can start with a small home and add additional units as their needs change. Manufactured homes are also great as starter homes, especially for families that plan on building a permanent structure on their land in the future. Though it could be logistically challenging, manufactured homes can also be moved to a different site if the initial one was on rented property.
Manufactured homes have received a bad rap over the last few decades. In reality, most manufactured homes are purpose-built for longevity with structural integrity. Every manufactured home built today is subject to the HUD code adopted in 1976. This code is the only federally-mandated code in existence. It was designed to ensure that manufactured homes meet strict standards regarding fire safety, structural design, energy efficiency, transportation to home sites, and overall construction. All manufactured homes sold in the U.S. have a permanent red seal to confirm they meet HUD standards.
When you buy a manufactured home, you may be able to move in faster than you would via traditional routes. Some manufactured homes are even move-in ready in less than 45 days. Compared to a traditional home, once a new manufactured home is built in the factory, buyers usually find that installation is a quick process. Once the manufactured home is delivered, utility work usually moves quickly, regardless of whether you're moving to a park or transporting your home to a piece of land. Before you know it, you're eating, sleeping, and enjoying life in your new manufactured home.
When asked about the pros and cons, many buyers cite energy efficiency as one of the most significant benefits of owning a manufactured home. In general, manufactured housing is more energy efficient than traditional because HUD mandates ensure that homes have high energy efficiency ratings.
These ratings are achieved through upgraded insulation installation, on-demand water heaters, and energy-efficient windows. These upgrades often make entire manufactured homes Energy Star certified. It's no surprise that manufactured homes are 27% more efficient than they used to be with other additions like energy-saving appliances in kitchens and bathrooms.
If you've ever lived in an apartment complex before, chances are you heard sounds and noises through your walls that you never wanted to hear. If you hate hearing your neighbors and despise thin walls, looking for mobile home sales in Blythewood, SC is a great idea. Why? Manufactured homes are typically built using separate modules, which reduces sound transference from room to room. When two or more modules are combined and insulated separately, buyers enjoy an even quieter, stronger home with less outside noise.
If there's one disappointing aspect of manufactured homes, the stigma seems to surround them. Yes, mobile homes from 30 or more years ago aren't exactly marvels of construction and deserve to be criticized. However, modern manufactured homes are cut from a different cloth and are often every bit as safe and luxurious as site-built homes.
Here are some of the most common (and annoying) mobile home myths debunked:
Modern manufactured homes are factory-built homes crafted with quality materials that meet comprehensive federal construction and safety standards. These standards, called the "HUD Code," outline how the homes must be built, including safety guidelines. For example, manufactured home builders must take strict measures to ensure their homes are resistant to wind. In terms of hurricanes and tornados, having such measures in place can prevent a tragedy from happening.
The bottom line is that manufactured homes are plenty safe and provide a quality product to people who want a lower-cost option over traditional housing.
One of the most repeated myths surrounding manufactured homes is that they are in poor shape and have an overall poor quality. Today, many manufactured homes are built with quality materials and care. It's not unusual to find a manufactured home with luxurious amenities and features lie state-of-the-art kitchens, high-end appliances, and chic open floor plans. At Ken-Co Homes, we can provide you with a complete list of available upgrades and amenities for you to enjoy in your new home.
Perhaps it's due to their popularity and lower prices, but we often hear that it's hard to find manufactured homes for sale. As seasoned home dealers, we can say this is categorically false. Whether you head over to Google and search for "mobile homes near me in Blythewood, SC," or simply head to Ken-Co Homes' website, you'll see plenty of homes to choose from. Contact our office today for a full list of our homes for sale!
When it comes to home prices in today's day and age, manufactured homes are among the most affordable options available.
That's because manufactured homes cost less to construct than site-built homes, with the average price costing $92K for new construction and $60K for a pre-owned manufactured home, according to recent data. The cost of a traditional home is much higher, with an average of $408K, according to Statista data from 2021. Even though manufactured home living costs change depending on the community, they're often much less expensive than their site-built cousins in the long run.
This myth parallels the stereotype that manufactured homes are cheap and poorly built. Unfortunately, many people still believe that living in a manufactured home community isn't safe. They think that the parks are run down and riddled with reprobates. In reality, many manufactured home parks mimic gated communities with 24-hour security and mandated quiet hours. Some manufactured home neighborhoods even offer community-wide amenities like spas and pools. If you're a fan of the gated community lifestyle but don't want to pay hundreds of thousands for a site-built home, a manufactured home community could be your best bet.
Are you giving serious thought to buying a manufactured home for sale in South Carolina? You're not alone - more than 365K people in the Palmetto State live in manufactured homes. At Ken-Co Homes Inc., we're not your average run-of-the-mill manufactured home dealer. We only do business with manufacturing partners committed to building top-quality products that our customers are proud to own.
If you're looking for modern amenities, energy-efficient appliances, unique floorplans, and homes constructed with quality materials, Ken-Co Homes is the company for you. Contact our office today to learn more about our beautiful Clayton homes for sale in Blythewood, SC.
It could take five minutes, it could take 30. Liz Humphries can never be sure how long the commute will take between home and work. Traffic has gotten bad in Blythewood, residents seem to agree.&ldq...
It could take five minutes, it could take 30. Liz Humphries can never be sure how long the commute will take between home and work. Traffic has gotten bad in Blythewood, residents seem to agree.
“It’s just growing so fast,” said Humphries, owner of Blythewood Consignment. “To go to the grocery store you have to wait in traffic.”
It wasn’t always like this. Fewer than 1,000 people lived in the small farm town northeast of Columbia in 2000. But as the area around Blythewood grew, and as more and more people noticed the quiet, idyllic community, more people wanted in.
Between 2010 and 2020, the town grew 136% and today is considered the 5th-fastest growing municipality in South Carolina, with just over 5,000 residents now.
Blythewood was already feeling growing pains. Now, as Scout Motors prepares to build an electric vehicle plant in town and employ 4,000 workers, people worry the traffic problems will only get worse, hampering essential services in the process.
A Virginia lumberman wandered into Humphries’ shop one day and she knew it had begun.
He was there cutting timber to prepare land for the new Scout Motors plant, which promises to produce 200,000 electric trucks and SUVs each year.
What that level of production will mean for the town of Blythewood remains unclear.
“I think it’s going to be huge,” Humphries said. “It’s going to be just crazy, there’s no other way.”
Gov. Henry McMaster announced in early March that Scout Motors, backed by Volkswagen, would be building its first ever production plant in a 1,400-acre industrial park in Blythewood, northeast of Columbia.
The plant is supposed to be up and running by the end of 2026.
Bythewood residents have shared mixed reactions to the project. Some think it will be good for business, others are wary about how it will change their rural community.
Most people do however seem to agree that traffic is going to be a problem.
At least some of the 4,000 new employees will likely want to live in the Blythewood area, and depending on how many employees Scout expects to work per shift, the roads around the plant could get congested fast.
South Carolina has already offered to build a new interchange on I-77 halfway between exits 24 and 27 to help workers access the site, and to make it easier for the company to ship materials via truck. That offer was part of the state’s $1.3 billion incentive deal given to Scout Motors.
The state is still assessing whether that interchange will be necessary, said Christy Hall, South Carolina Secretary of Transportation.
“We feel fairly confident it will require a new interchange,” she said. “A development of this size, even without knowing the exact details of how many shifts…. how many trucks ….we know that the existing interchanges would struggle to support that development.”
But state officials won’t know exactly what work needs to be done until they’ve finished collecting data from Scout on everything from how often the company will ship materials via truck versus rail, how many employees will be entering the facility at any given time and a slate of other details needed to determine traffic patterns.
Some local work is certain though:
-Scout has promised to improve the intersections leading to the plant, Richland County Economic Development Director Jeff Ruble has said. The existing I-77 interchanges at Blythewood Road and at U.S. 21 will also see improvements, Ruble added.
-In an unrelated project, construction is underway on Blythewood Road, which is being widened to four lanes between I-77 and Syrup Mill Road as part of the Richland County Penny Tax program.
-Community Road is also set to be widened to four lanes, Ruble has said, as it’s expected to see traffic from Scout employees entering and exiting I-77. Scout hopes the bulk of that traffic will be kept to the new I-77 interchange, and to a road extension between the new interchange and US 21.
-There will be an entrance to the plant at Syrup Mill Road, but most employees will enter the site at an entrance on Community Road.
Scout, as well as state and local officials, have stressed they believe the road improvements will ultimately benefit Blythewood residents, and at the very least won’t add to the town’s existing traffic woes.
The traffic problems in Blythewood have been mounting for years. It’s not hard to guess why. All around Blythewood are large vinyl signs advertising new housing subdivisions, or land that can be turned into new housing.
Columbia-Richland Fire Battalion Chief Tyler Gladden oversees emergency services in the Blythewood area and agrees traffic has gotten bad in parts of town.
For the most part, traffic hasn’t caused any major problems in emergency situations, Gladden said, but it can be dicey navigating in rush hour traffic, especially when drivers don’t stop and pull over to let emergency vehicles through.
Gladden couldn’t say what the new Scout plant might mean for emergency response times.
“That is going to create a lot of new challenges,” Gladden said of the new plant. The road work to build the interchange will be one thing, but the project also includes adding a rail spur to the Scout site, and trains can cause long delays in fire and EMS response, he said.
In the past, the fire department has been involved with the Department of Transportation and other local officials to prepare for detours and other things related to road work.
In 2018, the town commissioned a traffic study that showed even at that time, the situation in Blythewood was tenuous.
Sections of Blythewood Road at U.S. 321 and I-77 particularly struggled with congestion during peak hours, that study showed. Intersections at Blythewood Road and McNulty Street, and U.S. 21 and Community Road, had the highest delays at peak times, with five minutes or longer wait times for drivers trying to get through those intersections. And that was five years ago.
In the last 10 years, the amount of traffic on Blythewood Road between I-77 and U.S. 21 to access the interstate has more than doubled, from 10,400 average daily traffic users in 2012 to 20,900 in 2022, according to state Department of Transportation data.
Wait times at certain Blythewood intersections can last 30 minutes or more, residents say.
Residents in local Facebook groups share stories of school buses stuck in traffic for half an hour. Langford Road, a main artery leading to numerous schools, can get backed up so badly people sit in traffic for 20-40 minutes.
In a March interview with WIS, Scout Motors’ CEO Scott Keogh stressed the company wants to manage the “busy” construction process in a way that doesn’t add to Blythewood’s existing concerns.
“It’s obviously going to be a lot of trucks and a lot of infrastructure,” he said in that interview.
He promised to listen to the community’s concerns, and added he hopes the new interchange and other investments work to address the traffic issues.
“We’re going to have to do this together,” Keogh said. “We’re going to have to be respectful… The last thing we want to do is disrupt and annoy … the very community we want to love and embrace us.”
This story was originally published May 30, 2023, 5:30 AM.
A video surfaced on Facebook that appears to show a black bear roaming through a neighborhood in Blythewood.BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — After a video appearing to show a black bear in some backyards circulated through a Blythewood Facebook group, neighbors are keeping their eyes out.Larry Johnson, a Blythewood resident, recalls getting a video from his wife that seemingly shows a black bear walking through his neighbors', and then his backyard....
A video surfaced on Facebook that appears to show a black bear roaming through a neighborhood in Blythewood.
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — After a video appearing to show a black bear in some backyards circulated through a Blythewood Facebook group, neighbors are keeping their eyes out.
Larry Johnson, a Blythewood resident, recalls getting a video from his wife that seemingly shows a black bear walking through his neighbors', and then his backyard.
"First, I was shocked, like 'is this really a bear?' Then you're looking and it's like 'Oh crap, it's a bear.,'" Johnson said. "It kinda started midway through their backyard and casually came down the hill, right across our property line."
The video has made it's way through social media and has become a topic of discussion throughout Blythewood. Fredys Castro says he's hoping to see them with his own eyes.
"It's the first time I'd see one. Here in Blythewood? It's kinda weird, it's exciting," Castro said. "But I want to see it from the distance."
Castro's son, Simon, plans to be a little more cautious if he sees one. "The bear is like kind of scary to see in the woods, like if I see one, I might run away."
According to the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), black bears aren't permanent residents of the Midlands, and just travel through our area.
The agency says if you find yourself crossing paths with one, "Remain standing upright, avoid direct eye contact, back up slowly and speak in a calm, assertive, assuring voice. Make yourself look as big as possible by waving arms, etc. Do not run from the bear or climb a tree."
The department also says not to feed the bears because, "A bear that becomes accustomed to having food provided is an accident waiting to happen; don’t feed a bear the first time and it will likely leave the area soon."
The sighting has some families on high alert, including Zach Christie who expects to see more the wildlife with new housing and developments being put in wildlife.
"Being honest, I carry, and I train. So, it's like, 'Hey look, I'm watching my kids if they're outside.' We're going to have property, we're going to have a fence, we're going to have different boundaries, but still, you have to be watchful."
That's the plan for Johnson, too.
"When we're sitting out, I'll have a flashlight or something out here just to stay alert because I'm sure if I'm sitting out and a bear comes, the fire pits lit, and my son's out, that's a lot to try to get the fire pit off, get him in the house, and not freak out if I see a bear."
For more information on bears in South Carolina from SCDNR, you can visit this website.
State and county incentives will fund new I-77 interchange, several traffic circles in the town, and other improvements to roads to help alleviate traffic in and around Blythewood. CORRECTION: There is a traffic light at Syrup Mill and Blythewood Roads – NOT a traffic circle. The map above has been updated to reflect the correction. COLUMBIA – The Richland County Economic Development Office announced on Monday that Scout Motors EV, which is backed by Volkswagen, is bringing its m...
CORRECTION: There is a traffic light at Syrup Mill and Blythewood Roads – NOT a traffic circle. The map above has been updated to reflect the correction.
COLUMBIA – The Richland County Economic Development Office announced on Monday that Scout Motors EV, which is backed by Volkswagen, is bringing its manufacturing operations to Blythewood’s new industrial park off Blythewood Road.
The plant will build all-electric trucks and SUVs under the Scout brand with production expected to eventually reach 200,000 vehicles per year.
“Originally produced by International Harvester from 1960 to 1980, Scout was an early SUV that stopped being made in the 1980’s,” according to a statement released by the SC Department of Commerce. “Scout Motors is bringing it back as both a truck and an SUV, both all-electric.”
The company’s planned $2 billion investment and its potential to create 4,000 jobs, would both set all-time records for a Richland County economic development project according to county officials.
Choosing Blythewood
During a remote roundtable Monday morning with Governor Henry McMaster, Scout Motors CEO Scott Keogh and Secretary of the SC Department of Economic Development Harry Lightsey, Keogh said the company looked at 74 sites around the country before choosing the Blythewood site to establish the world’s first manufacturer of the Scout electric vehicles.
Incentives offered by the state and county to attract the company included $1.291 billion over and above tax and other incentives.
Blythewood Road Improvements
Approximately $650 million of the $1.291 billion state incentive package will be used to fund improvements to roads in and around Blythewood to support this project and to help alleviate traffic in the Blythewood area that is already unmanageable at times, according to Jeff Ruble, Director of Richland County’s Department of Economic Development.
“The improvements to Blythewood area roads are in addition to the current penny-tax plan to widen Blythewood Road from the Exit 27 Interchange to Syrup Mill Road and to add a traffic circle near Cobblestone Park,” Ruble told The Voice. “We’ll be making additional improvements between the interchange and the traffic circle, and we’ll continue the four lanes on Blythewood Road from Syrup Mill all the way to Muller Road,” he said.
“Just about everywhere in town that there’s a road leading to the plant, the company plans to improve the intersections,” Ruble continued.
“The entrance into the industrial site off Blythewood Road will be located at Syrup Mill Road,” he said, “and we’re going to install some long turn lanes to alleviate traffic problems there. We’ll also be landscaping the 300-foot-wide buffer along Blythewood Road across from Cobblestone Park, and we’re going to do it right. Our goal is to make it look like the entrance to Cobblestone,” Ruble said.
Community Road Widened
Community Road, he said, will also be widened to four lanes.
“The goal of the company is to have most of the traffic, including employees, coming off I-77 at the new interchange or from a new road extension from Highway 21 through the Google property to the front and main entrance of the plant. This should keep a lot of the to-and-from plant traffic out of Blythewood and easily onto the interstate.”
Ruble explained that a rail spur will run from the track on the east side of Hwy 21 across Hwy 21 and extend to a rail bridge over I-77 at the lower part of the company’s complex.
“Several traffic circles will also be incorporated into some of the road improvements, particularly at Syrup Mill and Blythewood Road, at Highway 21 where it connects to the extension road through the Google property, and at intersections within the industrial site,” Rubble said.
During the Monday roundtable meeting, Lightsey echoed concern for easing local traffic.
“The new interchange and these road improvements will actually help and benefit the residents of the Blythewood community,” Lightsey said. “It will improve the traffic flow and keep traffic coming to and from the site out of downtown Blythewood.”
Plans for the $650 million incentive also include upgrades to the Blythewood fire station, and stipends to support eligible employees’ childcare costs. An onsite child care facility is also planned.
The $1.291 billion incentive package also included $400 million for the company to build facilities on the site; a $200 million loan for soil stabilization (paid back at 5 percent interest); $25 million to build a publicly owned Midlands Technical College training center for employment with Scout Motors; and $16 million for property acquisition for construction of the railroad spur to the site.
Other county incentives include a reduction in the company’s property tax assessment ratio from six percent to four percent over 40 years. County officials say the company would also be eligible for a 50 percent tax break through an infrastructure tax credit.
Richland County Council is scheduled to give the package third reading on March 21.
Scout is planning to break ground on the new manufacturing facility in mid-2023 and begin production by the end of 2026.
“This proposed manufacturing facility marks a major milestone in the history of Richland County and the potential to be our most significant economic development project to date,” said Overture Walker, Chair of the Richland County Council. “This decision represents a transformational breakthrough that would position us at the forefront of the clean energy future while promising to boost the quality of life for residents across our county for generations to come.”
“Richland County has spent years laying the groundwork for today’s historic announcement, and we are thrilled that Scout shares our view that this area is the ideal location for a world-class company to plant its flag,” Ruble said.
Most hiring is expected to happen toward the end of 2025, according to officials. Individuals interested in joining the Scout team should visit readySC’s recruitment website.
Map updated 3/13/2022 at 9:28 a.m.
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C.(WACH) — A project officials say will bring 4,000 new jobs and billions of dollars to the region, was front and center at a Town Hall in Richland County on Monday night.State and local leaders hosted the public forum so people could ask questions about a new electric vehicle plant slated for the Blythewood area.Scout Motors chose South Carolina, over 74 other locations for the plant.Last week, the South Carolina House approved a roughly $1.3 billion incentive package for the electric vehicle plant....
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C.(WACH) — A project officials say will bring 4,000 new jobs and billions of dollars to the region, was front and center at a Town Hall in Richland County on Monday night.
State and local leaders hosted the public forum so people could ask questions about a new electric vehicle plant slated for the Blythewood area.
Scout Motors chose South Carolina, over 74 other locations for the plant.
Last week, the South Carolina House approved a roughly $1.3 billion incentive package for the electric vehicle plant.
But, the plan still needs to be approved by the Senate.
The money will help build a new exchange on I-77, and a railroad bridge to support the plant.
"This is our first opportunity to discuss with the public here, the citizens of the Midlands, the great impact that the new Scout Motors is going to have here in the Blythewood industrial park," said Bryan Franklin, the Town of Blythewood Mayor.
One thing many here Monday night were worried about, was an increase in housing construction and and how that would affect development and traffic.
With nearly 300 new homes already being built less than two-miles away, residents say it's an iaaaue.
Still, one Richland County official says it’s a game changer for local schools.
"I expect it will change the way we approach education, from k thru 12, straight to the technical colleges. This is going to have ripple effects for generations to come," said Jeff Ruble, the Richland County Economic Development Director.
Some residents were also concerned about smog and run off, but experts say Scout Motors will have state-of-the-art ventilation systems.
One local business owner sees the facility as a positive.
"We will see more local businesses coming into Blythewood. More patrons for the businesses that are here. As a business owner here, I expect to see an inflex of people. So it’s a win-win for me," said Bring King, local business owner.
With salaries ranging between $60,000 and $100,000 dollars per year, experts say it won't take long to fill those 4,000 positions.
"I think the biggest challenge will be the roadways and the traveling because we already have a big issue now. I'm not convinced that the road studies are accurate enough, if we are already struggling," said Tammy Armstrong, a Blythewood resident.
There will be another Town Hall meeting on March 21st.
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. (WIS) - A multi-billion dollar investment is coming to the Blythewood area.Friday Gov. Henry McMaster announced Scout Motors has selected the area as the site for a manufacturing plant. The $2 billion investment will create a manufacturing facility and an estimated 4,000 jobs.Here’s the moment it happened: pic.twitter.com/UCgvRzCorA— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmas...
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. (WIS) - A multi-billion dollar investment is coming to the Blythewood area.
Friday Gov. Henry McMaster announced Scout Motors has selected the area as the site for a manufacturing plant. The $2 billion investment will create a manufacturing facility and an estimated 4,000 jobs.
Here’s the moment it happened: pic.twitter.com/UCgvRzCorA
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) March 3, 2023
The company will build electric trucks and other vehicles at the site located off I-77. The Blythewood Industrial Site is around 1,600 acres, and the estimated size of the plant will occupy 1,100.
Production of vehicles is expected to begin at the end of 2026. Groundbreaking on construction is scheduled for mid-2023. Once at full capacity, the plant is expected to create 200,000 vehicles per year.
“Scout Motors will provide thousands of South Carolinians with previously unimagined opportunities and prosperity for generations to come,” said McMaster.
“Richland County has spent years laying the groundwork for today’s historic announcement, and we are thrilled that Scout shares our view that this area is the ideal location for a world-class company to plant its flag,” said Jeff Ruble, Director of the Richland County Economic Development Office.
Organizers said the state and county plan to add investments to roads and infrastructure in the region to support the project.
Additional funding from the county is planned to upgrade the Blythewood Fire Station. An incentive package from the county includes stipends for future Scout employees to help support childcare. The package is scheduled for a third reading on March 21.
Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickemann said, “This is what collaboration looks like.”
Bryan S. Franklin, the Mayor of the town of Blythewood said, “This historic investment will bring thousands of jobs, economic growth and opportunity to our local community. We are honored to have been selected for this exciting new venture. We look forward to working closely with our partners, community members and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this project and to build a bright future for our town and our region.”
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