Robert Long, Director, Chester County Economic Development

In an interview with Invest:, Robert Long, director of Chester County Economic Development, discussed Chester County’s manufacturing momentum, residential growth, infrastructure advantages, workforce development, and tourism strategy. “We are focused on getting ahead of growth rather than reacting to it,” Long said.

How would you describe Chester County’s economic momentum, and what changes have had the biggest impact over the past year?

Chester County is positioned between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina, along I-77. We are a small county of roughly 33,000 residents, but we are growing. A typical 45-minute commute gives access to both metro areas, which is a key advantage.

We are finally seeing residential growth. About 5,000 homes have been permitted, with well over 1,000 built in the past couple of years. Our bread and butter remains industrial recruitment, but with that housing growth, we have launched a retail initiative, as retail tends to follow rooftops.

Historically a textile community, we are now firmly a manufacturing-driven economy. Over 45% of our private-sector workforce is in manufacturing, compared to about 15% in many communities. We also lead the region in manufacturing job growth.

Over the past five and a half years, we have announced about $1.8 billion in investment and roughly 1,500 jobs. For a county of our size, those are strong numbers.

What major projects are helping drive that momentum?

Two major projects stand out. Gallo has invested about $500 million and created around 400  jobs, handling East Coast distribution and bottling operations for several of its products.

IKO Industries represents another $500 million investment and about 250 jobs. That project includes two facilities in Chester, reopening a former fiberglass plant and building a new fiberglass mat facility, taking advantage of existing infrastructure while expanding capacity.

What advantages does Chester County offer compared with larger metro markets?

We are a manufacturing-friendly community. One key advantage is our inventory of large, certified industrial sites, many exceeding 200 acres and have access to rail. These are increasingly difficult to find near urban cores.

We can also handle heavy gas loads through Chester County Natural Gas, one of only five gas authorities in South Carolina, which allows for rate negotiation and competitive pricing.

Additionally, we offer dual rail service through the L&C Railroad, which connects to both CSX and Norfolk Southern. For the right project, we can provide dual power, dual rail, and dual gas, which is a significant advantage.

What are companies asking for most today in terms of infrastructure and site readiness?

Site readiness remains critical. As a Tier 3 county, we can leverage incentives and grants to certify properties and prepare them for development.

Economic development is a game of elimination. Certified sites allow us to respond quickly with due diligence, helping keep us in contention for projects. Many of our certified sites were developed years ago, but they continue to benefit us today.

How are you supporting workforce development?

We work closely with Chester County Public Schools, which has a career center offering programs in advanced manufacturing, electrical work, and plumbing. Students split time between their high school and the career center, helping build a local talent pipeline.

York Technical College also serves our region, with a Chester campus focused on continuing education and workforce training. Programs include line worker training and a commercial driver’s license program that is relocating to Chester.

We also utilize the Gateway Conference Center for job fairs and workforce training. For a small community, having that resource helps us prepare for future workforce needs.

How does tourism fit into your broader economic development strategy?

We partnered with the Chamber of Commerce on tourism about a year ago. Tourism aligns more closely with the chamber’s role, but it supports our broader economic development goals.

Our strength is outdoor lifestyle. We are located between the Broad and Catawba rivers, near Lake Wateree, and offer recreational amenities like golf, sporting clays, and white-water rafting. We also have a strong agricultural base, highlighted through events like Ag + Art.

Tourism and quality of life are closely linked. As companies locate here and bring in talent, it is important to show that people can live and work in Chester County. With about 500 homes currently on the market, we are better positioned to do that. This is the most growth we have seen as a community in 100 years.

What are your top priorities for the next two to three years?

We are focused on getting ahead of growth rather than reacting to it. Many communities struggle once growth arrives, but we are trying to prepare in advance.

We have created a new planning department and brought in a planning director with strong credentials. We now have a new comprehensive plan and updated zoning categories, particularly for residential development.

We are also evaluating how to manage emerging trends, such as data centers, and determining appropriate zoning. The goal is to understand what is coming, apply best practices, and prepare our leadership for the challenges ahead.