News Summary
Rock Hill business leaders are requesting $1 million from York County to fund a critical road extension at the Aspen Business Park, potentially creating over 1,000 jobs. The York County Economic Development Subcommittee has endorsed this funding, set to improve access via International Drive. The overall project, estimated at $6.5 million, aims to enhance connectivity and support ongoing industrial development in the area.
Rock Hill business leaders are actively requesting $1 million from York County to complete a vital road extension that would improve access to the Aspen Business Park. This proposed extension aims to create connection points for the area, potentially opening up over 1,000 jobs as part of the ongoing development.
The York County Economic Development Subcommittee has already recommended this funding, with a final decision from the York County Council expected within the month. The requested funding would come from the C-Fund revenue, which is derived from the state’s gas tax and allocated specifically for road improvements.
The road at the center of this proposal is International Drive. This new segment is set to run from Celanese Road into the 200-acre Aspen Business Park, which is a $220 million public-private partnership. The entire road extension is projected to cost around $6.5 million and will feature a three-lane road complete with sidewalks and a traffic signal.
The Aspen Business Park has been in development since a partnership was forged in 2019 between Rock Hill Economic Development and Childress Klein. The project aims to establish 11 buildings with a combined total of nearly 2 million square feet of industrial space. Currently, the ongoing first phase of construction includes three buildings by Childress Klein, covering a total of 797,000 square feet, plus two additional buildings for Rock Hill Economic Development.
Noteworthy companies have already announced their relocation to the Aspen Business Park. SouthWood Corp., a manufacturer of custom signs, is expected to create 73 new jobs with a $6.4 million investment. Additionally, CAT Resources, which specializes in military-grade tourniquets, has moved to the park, investing $18.6 million while retaining 200 existing jobs.
Ultimately, once fully developed, the Aspen Business Park is projected to create 1,331 jobs, generating an estimated $221 million in real estate value and approximately $5.7 million in annual tax revenue. Prior to this current request, York County has contributed about $700,000 to two separate projects within the Aspen Business Park.
To support the funding, a federal air quality grant program is being pursued for an additional $2 million to assist with the road work. Furthermore, utility companies, along with city funds, are expected to contribute more than $1 million collectively toward the extension costs.
The extension of International Drive holds significance as it aims to link the two major thoroughfares, Celanese and Heckle Roads, which are crucial for increasing the accessibility of the Aspen Business Park. City officials have highlighted the importance of this infrastructure upgrade, underlining its necessity even without an immediate increase in available jobs.
Although the Aspen Business Park is still in its early development stages, there remain considerable opportunities for new businesses to establish themselves in the area, given its robust planning and increasing interest from various industries. Rock Hill’s track record of successfully occupying business spaces rapidly, along with its speculative construction strategies, bodes well for the future of commercial growth in this area.
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Additional Resources
- WSOCTV: Rock Hill Business Leaders Seek $1M
- Wikipedia: Rock Hill, South Carolina
- Herald Online: Aspen Business Park Development
- Google Search: Aspen Business Park Rock Hill
- Post and Courier: Arthrex Team Up
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Business
- Herald Online: Rock Hill Economic Development News
- Google News: York County Economic Development
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
