AFL Continues Growth of Spartanburg County Manufacturing Operations

(AFL Image)

 AFL, a manufacturer of fiber optic products and equipment, announced it is expanding its manufacturing operations across Spartanburg County.

The company’s $155 million investment will create over 150 jobs over the next two to five years, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Spartanburg County, AFL is a subsidiary of Fujikura, Ltd. of Japan, and provides industry-leading, end-to-end solutions, products and services to the energy, service provider, enterprise, industrial, and hyperscale markets.

The company’s products, which include fiber optic cable and hardware, transmission and substation accessories, and outside plant equipment, are used in over 130 countries.

AFL will expand all of its fiber optic cable manufacturing operations located across Duncan.

Officials said the expansion will increase production capacity for the critical equipment needed to support domestic cable manufacturing, broadband deployment and power grid modernization.

Individuals interested in joining AFL should go to the company’s careers page.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $200,000 Set-Aside grant to Spartanburg County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

"For four decades, AFL has been an integral part of the Spartanburg County community. We are grateful for the support of our state and local leaders as we continue to grow,” said AFL President and CEO Jaxon Lang.

Lang added, “This expansion will increase our manufacturing capabilities, allowing us to better serve our customers around the globe, while strengthening the communities in which we work and live.” 

Said McMaster: “AFL’s expansion and the more than 150 new jobs it will create in Spartanburg County represent a major victory for South Carolina’s world-class workforce. We are proud the company continues to invest in our state and look forward to the impact this expansion will have in the years ahead.”

Superior Wellness Selects Orangeburg County For First U.S. Operation

Superior Wellness, a hot tub manufacturer and distributor, announced it selected Orangeburg County to establish the company’s first U.S. operation.

The company’s $11.3 million investment will create 35 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

Based in the United Kingdom, Superior Wellness is a manufacturer and distributor of products focused on improving customers’ health and well-being.

The company’s hot tubs, swim spas, Chill Tubs and other products are distributed to thousands of customers worldwide.

Located at 106 Logistics Drive in Cameron, Superior Wellness is purchasing a 75,000-square-foot facility which will serve as the company’s U.S. headquarters, a warehousing and logistics operation, and a hub for spare parts and accessories.

Operations are expected to be online in December 2024.

The state’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.

“This investment will revolutionize our stock and distribution management while creating up to 35 new jobs for the local community. It’s an exciting new chapter for Superior Wellness in the U.S.,” said Superior Wellness Managing Director Rob Carlin.

S.C. Attorney General Co-Leads Coalition Urging U.S. Senate to Confirm Pam Bondi As U.S. Attorney General

South Carolina Atty. Gen. Alan Wilson co-led a coalition of 30 current and future state attorneys general in urging the United States Senate to swiftly confirm Pam Bondi as the 87th United States Attorney General.

“I could not be more thrilled by President Donald Trump’s appointment of my dear friend Pam Bondi,” Wilson said. “Pam and I served together for eight years and there is no one I trust more in their ability to restore public confidence in the Department of Justice.”

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Minority Whip John Thune, the coalition writes, “Many of us have worked with Attorney General Bondi, and we have witnessed firsthand her legal acumen, her passion for justice, and her steadfast commitment to the rule of law. And equally as important, we have found her to be fair-minded, impartial, and collegial. In short, she is a superb choice to serve our nation and the public interest.”

The coalition, co-led by Wilson and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, outlines Bondi’s many accomplishments during her time as Florida attorney general. 

“During the worst days of the opioid crisis, she demonstrated extraordinary leadership, working with the Florida Legislature to shut down pill mills, initiating litigation to hold bad actors accountable, and taking many other actions designed to curb drug abuse, including championing bans on synthetic drugs. She was also a fierce advocate against human trafficking, leading efforts to increase tools for prosecutors to protect victims and hold traffickers accountable,” the letter states.

In addition to South Carolina’s attorney general and the Florida attorney general, attorneys general and attorneys general-elect from 26 other states including Alabama, Arkansas, Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming joined the letter.

Don’t Let Scammers Ruin Holiday Gift Card Giving

The Internal Revenue Service says taxpayers should watch out for gift card scams especially during the holiday season.

And the IRS says it never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.

Common holiday scams

According to the IRS, scammers may try to trick taxpayers into falling for the gift card scam.

With this scam, the IRS says criminals may impersonate government or collections officials and send official-looking requests for gift cards to resolve an outstanding debt or issue. 

According to the IRS, the scammer may ask the victim to purchase gift cards from different stores to avoid the suspicion of store employees.

Once the taxpayer buys the gift cards, the scammer will ask the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN.

The IRS says scammers could also:

Send emails that appear to be from a legitimate company but are not.

Pose as an IRS agent and call the taxpayer stating that the taxpayer is linked to criminal activity.

Threaten or harass the taxpayer by telling them that they must pay a fake tax penalty.

How to tell if it's really the IRS

The IRS will never:

Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a gift card, prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Generally, the IRS will first mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.

Demand that taxpayers pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they owe. 

Threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers or other law enforcement to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.

Threaten to revoke the taxpayer's driver's license, business licenses or immigration status.

What to do if targeted by a scam
Anyone who has been a target of a scam should contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration to report a phone scam.

Use the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting webpage or call 800-366-4484.

Taxpayers targeted by scams can also report to the Federal Trade Commission or go to their state attorney general.

Allow us to tell your company's Business Narrative. Send your press release to David Dykes or for more information email [email protected]