York County, August 20, 2025
News Summary
York County Council took unanimous initial actions to bring a company codenamed “Project Cross” to an existing downtown Rock Hill building, approving steps that pave the way for relocation and expansion. The project would create 159 jobs (78 relocating, 81 new over five years) and more than $20 million in investment ($3.6M for property improvements, $16.4M for equipment). Average wages are expected to exceed $90,000, about 53% above the county average. Council committed to a fee-in-lieu agreement (first of three votes) and approved pursuing a $600,000 state grant to upfit the building. The company and exact site remain undisclosed; further approvals are pending.
York County Council approves measures to bring company headquarters and nearly 160 jobs to downtown Rock Hill
The county moved forward on a plan to bring a company, codenamed Project Cross, to an existing downtown Rock Hill building, approving three unanimous votes that set the groundwork for the relocation and expansion. The project is expected to result in 159 total jobs — with 78 positions relocating and 81 new positions created over five years — and more than $20 million in total investment.
Key actions taken by county council
1. Commitment to a fee agreement
Council voted unanimously to commit to a fee agreement with the company. This agreement is an economic incentive structure that allows the company to pay a negotiated fee in place of standard property tax payments. The vote represented the first of three required approvals to finalize that fee. Specifics of the fee agreement have not been released by county officials.
2. Approval to pursue state grant funding
Council also voted unanimously to apply for a state grant from the South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development. The application seeks $600,000 that would be used by the company to upfit the building. The grant would not require any local matching funds.
3. Initial procedural vote
The council completed a procedural vote needed to initiate the financial arrangements tied to the project. Additional formal votes will be necessary to finalize the fee arrangement in coming meetings.
Project details and economic impact
The company under consideration provides shipping and brokerage services for retailers. County officials report that the average annual wage for the expected positions will exceed $90,000, which is approximately 53% above the county average wage. The high wage level indicates a likely boost to local payroll totals and tax base once the company fully establishes its downtown headquarters.
Investment breakdown
County information indicates the company plans to invest $3.6 million to acquire and improve the downtown property and an additional $16.4 million in machinery and equipment, totaling more than $20 million in capital investment tied to the relocation and build-out.
Job creation and timeline
Officials say 78 jobs will move to the new headquarters and 81 new jobs are projected to be created within a five-year period. The job mix and hiring schedule have not been detailed publicly.
Information not released and competing locations
County leaders have not disclosed the company’s name, its current headquarters location, or the specific downtown building beyond identifying it as an existing property. County officials noted the company was also considering a competing site in North Carolina prior to selecting the local option.
Local economic development context
County economic development leaders view the project as a targeted effort to attract higher-wage headquarters functions to a downtown setting, supporting broader goals for central-business revitalization. The combination of capital investment, equipment spending, and above-average wages is expected to have a multiplier effect on local services and supply chains, although precise economic impact modeling has not been released.
Next steps
The council must complete two additional votes to finalize the fee agreement. The county will also pursue the state grant application process. Further public disclosures about the company name, facility address, and full fiscal terms are expected only after additional approvals and agreements are finalized.
Background on incentive tools
Fee agreements used by local governments can allow a company to make negotiated payments in lieu of property taxes for a specified period. State economic development grants can cover building upfits and other capital expenses and sometimes require no local match. These tools are commonly used to attract relocations and expansions that generate jobs and capital investment.
FAQ
What is Project Cross?
Project Cross is the county codename for a company negotiating to move its headquarters into an existing downtown Rock Hill building, with plans to relocate jobs and create new positions.
How many jobs will the project bring?
The project will relocate 78 jobs and create 81 new jobs over five years, for a total of 159 jobs.
What is the expected investment?
The company is projected to invest more than $20 million, including $3.6 million for property acquisition and improvements and $16.4 million for machinery and equipment.
What wage levels are expected?
Average annual wages for the positions are expected to exceed $90,000, about 53% higher than the county average wage.
What approvals did the county council take?
Council voted unanimously to commit to a fee agreement (first of three required votes), to pursue a $600,000 state grant to upfit the building, and to proceed with the procedural steps necessary to establish the economic package.
Will local money be required for the grant?
The state grant being pursued would not require local matching funds.
Has the company been identified?
The county has not publicly released the company name, current headquarters location, or the exact downtown site beyond noting it is an existing building.
Project summary table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project codename | Project Cross |
| Planned total jobs | 159 (78 relocated, 81 new) |
| Average annual wage | Over $90,000 (about 53% above county average) |
| Projected total investment | More than $20 million |
| Property acquisition/upfit | $3.6 million |
| Machinery and equipment | $16.4 million |
| State grant sought | $600,000 (no local match required) |
| Fee agreement status | Unanimous county vote to commit; details not released; two additional votes required |
| Company identity | Not publicly disclosed |
| Site description | Existing downtown building; specific address not released |
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Business Journal — “Downtown Rock Hill headquarters move” — https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2025/08/19/downtown-rock-hill-headquarters-move-york-county.html
- The Herald (Rock Hill) — Business coverage of county actions on Project Cross — https://www.heraldonline.com/news/business/article311757809.html
- WRHI — Tega Cay Sun partners with OTS Media to expand local news coverage across York County — https://www.wrhi.com/2024/11/tega-cay-sun-partners-with-ots-media-to-expand-free-local-news-coverage-across-york-county-193980
- The Herald (Rock Hill) — Politics & government reporting related to regional development decisions — https://www.heraldonline.com/news/politics-government/article300248859.html
- The Charlotte Observer — Scott Fowler column (regional perspective) — https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article260621102.html
- Wikipedia Search — corporate headquarters relocation incentives — https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=corporate+headquarters+relocation+incentives
- Google Search — headquarters relocation incentives — https://www.google.com/search?q=headquarters+relocation+incentives
- Google News Search — economic development incentives headquarters relocation — https://news.google.com/search?q=economic+development+incentives+headquarters+relocation
- Google Scholar — fee in lieu of taxes economic development — https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=fee+in+lieu+of+taxes+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.
