One of Lancaster County’s most prominent companies will add 240 jobs, $32M investment
The exit of one Lancaster County business is a growth opportunity for another, one that will bring millions in new investment and more than 200 jobs.
Lancaster County Council approved a tax incentive agreement on Monday night with Nutramax Laboratories. Nutramax has four properties across the county. Now the company will set up shop in the former Cardinal Health building at 785 Fort Mill Highway in Indian Land.
“We are very glad that Nutramax is coming into that building,” said Councilman Brian Carnes, who represents Indian Land. “Cardinal Health was a good corporate presence, but I think Nutramax as we have all learned is a step above most companies and we are very excited to have them in the Indian Land area.”
The new Nutramax operation involves 240 jobs and a more than $32 million investment within five years.
“There’s very few industries that move in and make such an immediate difference in our community,” said Councilwoman Charlene McGriff. “We have Founders (Federal Credit Union) that’s always been there. And I’ve just got to say Nutramax is a company that supports the community. And I hear so many good things about it.”
Tax incentive agreement
The county and Cardinal Health agreed in 1998 on a 20-year arrangement where the company would pay a fee rather than traditional taxes. That agreement lowered the tax rate assessment on the Indian Land property to 6% and fixed its millage rate for that 20-year term.
In 2019 the county and company amended the agreement to add 10 years. The millage rate was increased for that term in a deal that required 375 jobs at the site.
Cardinal Health notified the state in December 2020 of plans, through WARN notices, to close the Indian Land site. That closure came in May last year. Yet the fee incentive agreement remained with the property.
In November, Nutramax approached the county about expansion into the 130,000-square-foot site. The decision on Monday night transfers and amends the Cardinal Health fee agreement for Nutramax. There’s a 10-year extension, with an increase of the assessment rate from 6% to 8%. Current building value and millage rate from the agreement will remain.
The new agreement no longer ties it to the property, an antiquated way of setting up fee agreements in the state. The agreement also brings together several incentive deals Nutramax has for its properties across Lancaster County.
Nutramax in Lancaster County
The incoming Nutramax business, filling in where another business left, isn’t new for the company. In spring 2019 the company broke ground on an expansion of its Quality Drive site in Lancaster. That plan involved $20 million of investment and 225 new jobs.
At that groundbreaking, council Chairman Steve Harper spoke of how significant the company has been for his county.
“Nutramax came to Lancaster in 2010 when we had the highest unemployment rate in the state of South Carolina,” Harper said at that event. “Springs Industries had closed up shop and left. (Nutramax) brought quality manufacturing jobs to our community, and they continued to expand.”
The 2010 relocation brought a $12 million investment and 200 jobs. That 2019 groundbreaking brought totals for Nutramax to more than $60 million invested and more than 500 jobs created.
“Just want to thank them for your continued support of our county,” Harper said Monday night.
On Tuesday morning, the state commerce department issued a release detailing the new Lancaster County commitment.
“When leading companies like Nutramax Laboratories find long-term success in our state, it shows the business-friendly environment we have created allows companies to thrive,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. “The approximately 200 new jobs this expansion will create will greatly benefit Lancaster County.”
Nutramax president and CEO Todd Henderson said for three decades it’s the team of employees and faith values that have grown the company.
“We are pleased to continue to grow in Lancaster County,” Henderson said. “With this newest expansion to the Indian Land area, we will continue providing a positive impact that goes beyond our economic development commitments.”
Anyone interested in the new jobs at Nutramax can get more information on the company careers page.
Nutramax makes and markets nutritional supplements for people and pets. The company operates sites in South Carolina and Maryland.
This story was originally published June 14, 2022 at 10:38 AM.
