Published
April 17, 2026
In regions across the country, infrastructure investment is catalyzing economic growth. Few places are doing it like Spartanburg, South Carolina. Leveraging its strategic location, Spartanburg has emerged as a strong example of how modern infrastructure can be a magnet for business – drawing in new investment while giving homegrown companies the opportunity to continue to grow and thrive.
At the Chamber’s Keep America Moving Summit, business and economic development leaders from the Spartanburg community shared how its infrastructure is helping to fuel the local economy. In fact, last year alone, Spartanburg County attracted $3.5 billion in capital investment and created over 1,000 new jobs.
A central component of that infrastructure is the Inland Port Greer, which opened in 2013 and has since expanded twice to accommodate increased rail and truck traffic.
“Having an inland port there expands the reach of manufacturing,” said Kyle Sox, VP of Industrial Development for OneSpartanburg. “An inland port is an absolute game changer for a consumer brand.”
The port acts as a critical nexus, tying together interstates I-85 and I-26, rail facilities, and the coastal Port of Charleston. This interconnectedness keeps product moving and lowers time-to-market.
“It tightens the supply chain, lowers the cost of the product, and does wonders for the CO2 emissions if I’m shipping all these things on freight line or across the ocean,” said David Chapman, VP of Public Affairs for Michelin North America. “We can build vehicles, get them on trucks, and out to the delivery fleet as soon as possible.”
These assets, Chapman added, have encouraged Michelin to make South Carolina home to the company’s largest industrial footprint worldwide, with 15 factories and 10,000 workers employed across the entire state.
And because of its ability to keep attracting and retaining businesses, Spartanburg has built an equally valuable a world-class talent pool—another major draw for companies looking to relocate or expand their operations. This was a deciding factor for Oshkosh Defense when it selected a site for a new plant to make its Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) for the U.S. Postal Service.
“Being in a town that was so ripe with talent, was vitally important for us,” said Angela Ambrose, Vice President of Government Operations for Oshkosh Corporation. “Spartanburg made a lot of sense for us.”
Ambrose added that some of the Oshkosh Corporation’s larger suppliers and partners are also in the region—a powerful clustering effect made possible by robust infrastructure and the right location.
“The cluster effect has been centralized in the region—which has been great,” Ambrose said. “We are very close to each other, just down the road. Knowing that your partner is nearby and you can work through issues when they arise has been really great.”
The takeaway? Spartanburg isn't just building roads and rail lines. It is building a blueprint for how smart infrastructure investment can transform an entire region. And the rest of the country is taking notes.
Spartanburg, SC is a prime example of how modern infrastructure fuels economic opportunity. Its strategic location, growing talent pool, and investments in roads, bridges, ports, and logistics hubs are helping businesses thrive and connect communities across the region.
The U.S. Chamber’s Keep America Moving initiative highlights why reauthorizing federal surface transportation legislation is critical. By ensuring sustained federal investments in highways, transit, and freight corridors, communities like Spartanburg can continue to attract businesses, create jobs, and strengthen the broader economy.
About the author
Thaddeus Swanek
Thaddeus is a senior writer and editor with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's strategic communications team.
