South Carolina industry recruitment reaches $9.12 billion in 2025

On Jan. 14, the South Carolina Department of Commerce released its 2025 industry recruitment results, marking a milestone for rural economic development.  

From January to December 2025, South Carolina announced a total capital investment of $9.12 billion, representing the third-highest year for industry recruitment on record and more than 8,100 new jobs. Rural recruitment of both capital investment as well as new jobs accounted for more than 40% of the overall totals — the highest percentages since 2010. 

Rural recruitment accounted for $4.25 billion, or 46%, of total announced capital investment and more than 3,500, or 44%, of total announced new jobs. Rural projects span agribusiness, automotive, energy, and wood and paper products — reflecting South Carolina’s increasingly diverse economy and the competitive strengths of the state’s rural workforce, infrastructure and quality of life. 

Of the 82 total announced projects, 34 chose rural communities — described as county development Tiers III and IV, as calculated annually by the S.C. Department of Revenue — ensuring long-term opportunities across every region of the state. 

To see the complete overview of the state’s announced economic activity in 2025, click here.