Cherokee County Development Board

10/21/2026

We are incredibly proud of Noah Beason for being selected as a 2026 SCBIZ Emerging Leader Under 40!

This recognition is a testament to the great work Noah is doing for the Cherokee County Development Board and the impact he is making in economic development across South Carolina. Noah continues to bring energy, leadership, and a strong commitment to Cherokee County every day.

Congratulations, Noah! We are proud to have you on our team!

https://scbiz.com/emerging-leaders-under-40-honorees-announced/

08/13/2026

🚨 UFP INDUSTRIES! 🚨

Cherokee County, SC and City of Gaffney, SC are excited to officially welcome UFP Industries as they move forward with their expansion in our community!

This project represents a $5.3 million capital investment and will create 136 full-time jobs, with wages that demonstrate the quality of career opportunities being created right here in Cherokee County. 💪

And these aren’t just jobs, they are good-paying jobs across a wide range of career paths:

💼 Executive/Management: $42.22/hr
🔧 Technical/Professional: $30.60/hr
📋 Administrative/Clerical: $28.14/hr
🏭 Skilled Production: $28.14/hr
⚙️ Unskilled Production: $25.89/hr
👷 Other: $24.48/hr

*Note: These are average pays within each job category.

The average wage across all 136 positions is approximately $26.30 per hour, or more than $54,700 annually for a full-time employee.

But the value of a job goes beyond the hourly wage. UFP Industries is also providing a strong benefits package, including:

🏥 Medical, dental and vision insurance, with the company paying approximately 76% of the premium cost

💰 401(k) retirement plan with a company match

💵 Roth savings account

🎉 9 paid holidays

🌴 Paid vacation, starting at 1 week after 60 days of employment and increasing to as much as 5 weeks after 20 years of service

This is exactly the type of investment Cherokee County wants to see, quality jobs, competitive wages, strong benefits and opportunities for long-term careers.

Projects like UFP Industries demonstrate that Cherokee County is not simply creating jobs; we are creating opportunities for our residents to build a career and a future right here at home.

Please join us in welcoming UFP Industries to Cherokee County! 🎉👏

$5.3 MILLION INVESTMENT | 136 JOBS | $26.30 AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE | EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS

Apply Here: https://ufpi.wd503.myworkdayjobs.com/ufpi?locationRegionStateProvince=1d2632a43d204a2799bcd38b57e8a26e&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0fzv5meu&fbclid=IwY2xjawTq_MZwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUJmMGxwcHVMZGdscFo5eENzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeW6PXF5Ib4_E_rlU0V14LOBC3rUtMYzozxjTP6CrLsT7rcdGNKmYIv7cQjf0_aem_H9zZERfwqWefGJEkVHvtTw

Please watch our welcome video below to learn more about UFP Industries! Click Here to Review Truck Driver Postings Wondering what the companies of UFP Industries are all about? We're successful. We've been around for more than 65 years, and we've been profitable every year since our founding. We wo...

08/03/2026

🚨 Great News, Cherokee County, SC! Jobs Are Now Available at UFP Industries!🚨

The first employment opportunities for the newly announced UFP Industries facility in Gaffney have officially been posted!

Current openings include:
✅ HR Coordinator
✅ Maintenance Supervisor
✅ Maintenance Technician
✅ Production Supervisor
✅ Forklift Operator

This is just the beginning as UFP Industries, Inc. establishes its new operation in our community. If you're looking for an opportunity to join a growing company with excellent career potential, now is the time to apply!

Visit the link below to learn more about each position and submit your application.

🔗 **Application Link:** https://ufpi.wd503.myworkdayjobs.com/ufpi?locationRegionStateProvince=1d2632a43d204a2799bcd38b57e8a26e

The Cherokee County Development Board is proud to welcome UFP Industries to our community and looks forward to seeing these opportunities grow as the facility moves toward full operation. Help us spread the word by sharing this post with family and friends who may be interested!

Please watch our welcome video below to learn more about UFP Industries! Click Here to Review Truck Driver Postings Wondering what the companies of UFP Industries are all about? We're successful. We've been around for more than 65 years, and we've been profitable every year since our founding. We wo...

07/13/2026

Waking up Saturday and seeing the news of Senator Lindsey Graham's passing caused all of us at the Cherokee County Development Board to pause and reflect on everything he did for Cherokee County.

While Senator Graham dedicated his life to serving South Carolina and our nation, we will always remember him as someone who believed in the future of Cherokee County, SC. He understood the importance of creating opportunities for our citizens and was instrumental in helping bring USA Rare Earth to Blacksburg. During the recruitment process, Senator Graham personally reached out to the project team to express his support for Cherokee County and South Carolina. His engagement reinforced our commitment to the project and demonstrated that leaders at every level were invested in its success.

The USA Rare Earth investment will create hundreds of high-quality jobs, strengthen America's domestic rare earth supply chain, and have a lasting impact on Cherokee County for generations to come. Senator Graham's support will forever be a part of that legacy.

On behalf of the Cherokee County Development Board, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Senator Graham's family, friends, dedicated staff, and everyone across South Carolina who is mourning his loss. We are grateful for his friendship, his leadership, and his commitment to the people of our county and state.

Thank you, Senator Graham, for believing in Cherokee County and for helping us build a stronger future. Your legacy will live on through the opportunities you helped create and the lives that will be positively impacted for generations to come. Rest in peace.

07/08/2026

🚨 We're Hiring! 🚨

The Cherokee County Development Board is seeking a motivated, organized, and results-driven professional to join our team as a Recruitment and Retention Coordinator.

This position plays a vital role in recruiting new retail, commercial, food industry, and industrial investment while supporting the retention and expansion of existing businesses throughout Cherokee County. Responsibilities include business recruitment, business retention and expansion, industrial site development, marketing, website and social media management, and working with developers, brokers, site selectors, and economic development partners. Other duties as required.

Qualifications:
✔ Bachelor's degree in a related field preferred.
✔ Minimum of three (3) years of experience in economic development, business recruitment, project management, planning, marketing, or a related field preferred.
✔ Strong communication, organizational, and public speaking skills.
✔ Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements:
• Valid South Carolina Driver's License.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Valid U.S. Passport or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to travel regionally, nationally, and overnight as required.
• Annual Salary Range: $45,000–$50,000, commensurate with qualifications.
• Fringe benefits include medical and dental insurance and South Carolina Retirement.

*Position will remain open until filled*

How to Apply:

📧 Submit two (2) letters of reference and resumes electronically to [email protected]

📬 Submit hard copy applications to:
Cherokee County Development Board
101 Campus Drive
Gaffney, SC 29341

If you're passionate about helping businesses grow and making a lasting impact on Cherokee County's future, we encourage you to apply!

*The Cherokee County Development Board is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual’s gender, race, color, national origin, citizenship, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability or any other status protected by law. This includes decisions involving hiring, job placement, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefits, training and sponsored programs.*

06/02/2026

USA Rare Earth's $1.2 billion investment in Cherokee County is a transformative opportunity for Blacksburg and our region. The creation of 490 high-paying jobs will help establish our community as a hub for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and technology. This project will attract suppliers and related industries, strengthening the supply chain and generating additional economic growth for years to come. We are proud that USA Rare Earth chose Cherokee County and look forward to the lasting impact this investment will have on our community.

03/02/2026

Cherokee County, SC is officially the #1 Micropolitan in South Carolina and #9 in the Nation! 🇺🇸🏆

Out of 542 micropolitan communities across the United States, Cherokee County ranked in the Top 10 nationally based on the number of qualifying industrial projects announced during the 2025 year.

That means more projects chose Cherokee County than any other micropolitan community in South Carolina and we placed #9 in the entire country.

What makes this even more exciting?

Last year we were #2 in South Carolina and #39 in the nation. Jumping from #39 to #9 nationally in just one year is a major accomplishment and shows the momentum we are building.

This ranking reflects real activity:
✔️ Companies choosing Cherokee County
✔️ New industrial projects breaking ground
✔️ Continued confidence in our community

This recognition puts Cherokee County on the national radar with site selectors and corporate decision-makers. It reinforces that our strategy is working and that our partnerships across the county are producing results.

Thank you to our county council, municipalities, utility partners, educators, and community leaders who make this possible every day.

Cherokee County isn’t just competing — we’re leading. 🚀

02/27/2026

🚨 CHEROKEE COUNTY IS ON THE MOVE! 🚨

Big things are happening — and the jobs are HERE.

🔥 First Solar is hiring 600 employees over the next few years and EVERY job starts at $21/hour or more!
Interviews begin in the next few weeks, so don’t wait!

👉 Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/2hsx9pa3

🔨 AreoWerks is hiring RIGHT NOW!
If you can read a blueprint and you're ready to work, there’s an opportunity waiting for you. BTW they will train you!

👉 Apply here: https://jobapscloud.com/SCCAT/

💡 Some of these careers require specialized training but that’s NOT a problem.

🎓 Spartanburg Community College is training our workforce and many guess what? IT'S FREE!!! They are working with these employers and more and can fit you with the right training program.

Cherokee County, SC has even partnered with SCC to remove barriers to education by increase funding for the Rufus Foster Scholarship to help more residents get the skills they need.

👉 Check out what they offer or talk with an Admissions Specialist: https://www.sccsc.edu

This is what growth looks like.
This is what opportunity looks like.

And we’re not done yet — more high-quality, high-paying jobs are on the way.

👉 Get trained.
👉 Get prepared.
👉 Get hired.

Cherokee County’s future is bright — and it starts with YOU. 💪

Explore Spartanburg Community College, where accessible, affordable education meets career success.

02/03/2026

Big news for Cherokee County! 🎉

We’re proud to officially welcome Huwell US Inc. as the company chooses Cherokee County, SC for its first U.S. operation. This is a huge win for Cherokee County, Gaffney and our entire community.

Headquartered in Italy, Huwell brings more than 60 years of experience producing professional hair products and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cosmetic lighteners and bleaching powders. Their $11.6 million investment will create 25 new jobs, with positions starting at $23/hour and going up from there. These are strong opportunities for local families.

Huwell will locate in the former Carolina Cotton Works facility at 14 Commerce Drive in City of Gaffney, SC, transforming the 120,000-square-foot building into a modern manufacturing operation. The facility will produce lighteners for a wide range of customers, from major global brands to independent cosmetic companies. Once renovations are complete, operations are expected to be online in June 2026, giving Huwell direct access to the U.S. market right here from Cherokee County.

As Mayor Lyman Dawkins III shared, this investment strengthens our local economy and creates real opportunity for working families. We’re grateful for Huwell’s confidence in our community and look forward to a long, successful partnership.

Welcome to Cherokee County, Huwell! 👏

01/19/2026

🚨 This is a BIG deal for Cherokee County. 🚨

Through months of focused work and negotiation by Cherokee County, SC Council and the Cherokee County Development Board, three of our strongest long-standing partners, AT&T, Duke Energy, and Piedmont Natural Gas, have committed $200,000 each for a combined $600,000 investment in the Spartanburg Community College Spark Center - Cherokee. This level of private sector support does not just happen. It is earned through trust, partnership, and a shared belief in Cherokee County’s future.

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas presented their support early last year, and on February 5, 2026, AT&T made it official with a check presentation to County Council Chairman Tim Spencer and SCC President Dr. Michael Mikota.

It is important to note that this support did not start or stop here. AT&T, Duke Energy, and Piedmont Natural Gas have been active champions of Cherokee County for years, contributing millions of dollars to advance economic development. Projects including the funding for the CLARI wastewater extension, recovery funds to help local manufacturers recover from Helene, and funds for water, wastewater and electrical studies to help local infrastructure meet the demands for tomorrow. And the list goes on.

This dedication to our county represent a powerful investment in our children, workforce training, and our ability to recruit and retain quality industrial projects.

Thank you to AT&T, Duke Energy, and Piedmont Natural Gas for being true partners in progress. This is what collaboration looks like, and the Spark Center - Cherokee is proof that when public and private partners work together, big things happen.