York County
In the heart of South Carolina's Piedmont region, nestled between the Broad River and the Catawba River, lies York County. Its diverse, gently rolling landscape is home to quaint small towns, a growing urban region, luxurious lakefront neighborhoods, and family-friendly communities. Noted for its expanding manufacturing, distribution, and office development along I-77, York County offers the advantages of a South Carolina location and business climate with quick access to Charlotte, the largest metropolitan area in the two Carolinas. Closer to home, York County features everything from a renowned greenway and hiking trail system to one of the largest amusement parks in the southeast – all with a cost of living that’s under the national average. It’s the location you need, and the life you want.
Whether it’s the ongoing growth of transportation corridors or an innovative business climate, York County offers an excellent environment for companies to establish and grow. Since 2010, York County has averaged 2,000 new jobs and more than $200 million in new and expanding capital investment each year. The county’s business landscape continues to diversify, as York County is transitioning toward large-scale Class A office projects, technology companies, and distribution operations. The county is home to several burgeoning business parks as well several large manufacturers such as the Schaeffler Group USA, Shutterfly, and Resolute Forest Products. Companies such as Wells Fargo, LPL Financial, Domtar, and McKesson also have established offices and distribution centers in York County.
York County lies at the crossroads of an extensive transportation network that provides companies with efficient and convenient access for their people and products. Investing more than $600 million in road improvements since 1997 has made all parts of York County accessible to I-77, I-85 and other major thoroughfares in the southeast, as well as to uptown Charlotte and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The Rock Hill/York County Airport, which has a 5,500-foot runway and large terminal building, is a convenient business and industrial airport in the area. Two railway carriers, CSX and Norfolk Southern, serve York County with nearby service to coastal and inland port terminals. These rail providers have convenient access to Norfolk Southern’s intermodal facility at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which is capable of 200,000 container lifts per year, and the Port of Charleston.
York County actively promotes its growing base of skilled workers and partnerships with new and expanding companies to prepare and recruit employees. York Technical College offers training and degree programs that prepare the local workforce for employment in the regional economy, while Winthrop University, a primarily liberal arts school in Rock Hill, offers diverse undergraduate and graduate degree programs and has an enrollment of more than 5,000 students.
The quality of life in York County is as appealing as its business climate. A mix of rural and urban lifestyles, all of York County boasts an outstanding public school system, affordable cost of living, and mild climate. Its larger cities, Rock Hill and the Fort Mill area, are home to bustling shopping districts and arts scenes, including everything from craft beer breweries to the annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival. The Carolina Panthers and Charlotte Hornets are a short drive from York County, and the county itself is home to an internationally known cycling scene that includes a velodrome, criterium course and a BMX supercross track. All residents can easily access the Anne Springs Close Greenway, which offers miles of hiking trails and other outdoor activities, as well as the Catawba River and Lake Wylie.
Employees of companies moving to York County can choose from a variety of neighborhoods. Luxurious waterfront communities surround Lake Wylie, while the popular Baxter Village is a mixed-use community of homes, parks, shopping, offices, and restaurants. In contrast to the faster pace found in eastern York County, western York County is dotted with small towns that offer a quiet, more rural lifestyle. Development of new neighborhoods at a range of price points is ongoing in York County.
Choosing York County is not just good for business. This diverse county offers an equally enticing quality of life that makes York County one of the best places to live in the Southeastern United States.
With so much to choose from, this is truly only a sampling of the many things that make York County so unique. Want to see more? Check out our friends at Visit York County to learn more about what keeps local residents and visitors alike entertained every single day.
