Blackhorse Steel Works Establishing Operations in Bamberg County

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Blackhorse Steel Works, an advanced steel solutions provider, announced it is establishing operations in Bamberg County. 

The company’s $5.2 million investment will create 40 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster's office.

Blackhorse specializes in innovative and dependable steel services tailored for industrial and commercial projects. 

The company’s capabilities include cutting, welding, bending, forming and precision processing.

Blackhorse’s 107,000-square-foot facility at 19110 Heritage Highway in Denmark will be used for the fabrication of miscellaneous and structural steel components.

Operations are expected to be online in May 2025. Those interested in joining  Blackhorse should go to the company’s careers page.

The state's Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $150,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Bamberg County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

EnerSys Expanding Sumter County Operations

EnerSys, a global leader in energy storage systems and solutions, announced it is expanding its operations in Sumter County.

The company’s $6.7 million investment will create 14 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster's office.

Headquartered in Pennsylvania, EnerSys is an industrial technology leader providing global customers with energy solutions that meet the growing demand for efficient, reliable and sustainable energy.

The company has more than 32 manufacturing facilities worldwide, including its Sumter metal plant established in 1972.

In 2024, the company announced plans to establish its second South Carolina operation, a lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility in Greenville County.

For this project, EnerSys will add 34,000 square feet to its facility located at 1990 Corporate Way in Sumter.

Officials said the expansion will allow EnerSys to meet growing demand for lithium, flooded and Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) battery products.

Operations are expected to be online in May 2025. Individuals interested in joining EnerSys should go to the company’s careers page.

The state's Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $100,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Sumter County to assist with the costs of building construction and site development.

Duke Energy Requests Input On Recreation Opportunities Along Catawba-Wateree Lakes, Rivers

Duke Energy will conduct a Recreation Use and Needs Study (RUNS) along the 11 lakes of the Catawba-Wateree River basin in which the company operates.

The study allows the public to provide feedback about the Duke Energy owned recreational and water access opportunities along the lakes and rivers. 

The study, which is required every 10 years, will run through Oct. 30. The next study will take place in 2035.

"At Duke Energy, we want to be a good neighbor. A part of doing that is providing opportunities to enjoy our shared water resource. With dozens of opportunities along the Catawba-Wateree, we want to hear from the public about what they enjoy and where there may be opportunities for improvement," said Christy Churchill, recreation manager for Duke Energy's Hydro and Lake Services team.

Included in the study are all Duke Energy-owned public recreation sites at Lake James, Lake Rhodhiss, Lake Hickory, Lookout Shoals Lake, Lake Norman, Mountain Island Lake, Lake Wylie, Fishing Creek Reservoir, Great Falls Reservoir, Cedar Creek Reservoir and Lake Wateree.

As a part of the study, Duke Energy installed traffic and trail counters at each site as well as posted clerks on certain key days to interview visitors regarding their experiences while using Duke Energy access areas.

"We want the public to engage with us so we want to make this easy. QR codes to online surveys have been posted at each access area to allow users to participate," Churchill said. "Duke Energy values your feedback and encourages all users to provide input during the study."

The study results will be made available to the public and filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in 2026.

FlackTek, ATP Partner to Expand Materials Processing Solutions in the Netherlands

Landrum, South Carolina-based FlackTek, a leader in bladeless centrifugal materials processing, announced its strategic partnership with ATP Engineering, a materials processing expert in the Netherlands. 

Officials said the collaboration marks a significant step in FlackTek's global expansion, enhancing localized support, innovation, and accessibility for customers across the BeNeLux region.

The partnership's foundation was set at Silicone Expo Amsterdam in 2024, where FlackTek and ATP first connected. 

"For us, this partnership was a natural fit. ATP's industry expertise and strong local presence align perfectly with our vision for expanding worldwide support," said Bob Umland, global director of sales and marketing at FlackTek. 

Umland added, "With their knowledge of the market and our technology, we're excited to deliver more tailored solutions to customers in the Netherlands and beyond."

As part of FlackTek's broader global strategy, officials said the partnership strengthens its presence in the Netherlands, providing local language support, a dedicated lab space and technical expertise in the same time zone. 

Industries such as paints, coatings and industrial manufacturing will benefit from closer access to FlackTek's advanced materials processing technology and ATP's application-driven approach, the officials said.

FlackTek has been providing materials processing solutions since 1996. 

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