(Rendering: Quackenbush Architects + Planners)

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union officially broke ground on its new corporate headquarters in downtown Columbia at the corner of Sumter and Lady streets.

The credit union held a groundbreaking ceremony on April 15, 2025, that included remarks from Gov. Henry McMaster, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, Richland County Council Chair Jesica Mackey, and other community leaders.

The five-story, 100,000-square-foot building will be the largest office development in downtown Columbia in the past 15 years.

It will be the new home of Palmetto Citizens’ administrative offices, operations center, and downtown Columbia branch.

The building includes space for a restaurant as well as meeting spaces for local non-profit organizations and other community groups to utilize.

A 325-space parking garage will also be built on the property.

“This corridor here on Sumter Street has kind of been waiting for somebody to bring a fresh start and add life to the area," Rickenmann said. "This building, and its five floors are going to change this corridor... We are going to see it grow one block at a time and we are so excited about it.” 

The location of the new building is the same section of downtown Columbia where the credit union began in 1936.

Its first office was in the basement of the old Columbia High School located on Washington Street.

For the majority of its nearly 90-year history, it’s called downtown Columbia home and wanted its new headquarters to remain in this area.

“Right across the street, 10 teachers got together and decided that their financial needs were not being met. So, with $5 a piece, they started this financial institution,” said Robert Dozier, president and CEO of Palmetto Citizens.

Dozier added, “Eighty-nine years later, with 85,000 member-owners, we’re proud to continue honoring that legacy and want to build this to help take care of our member-owners for the next 89 years.”

Palmetto Citizens expects to move into its new building in early 2027 and move its operations and branch from the current location adjacent to the new building.

The current location on Washington Street, including their downtown Columbia branch, will continue to be open during the new headquarters’ construction.

Today, with $1.3 billion in assets and 310 employees throughout the Midlands, Palmetto Citizens serves over 100,000 consumers and operates from 14 branches with more than 45 ATMs.

 

 

Lift Technologies, Inc. (Lift-Tek), a material handling manufacturer, announced it is expanding its operations in Oconee County.

As a subsidiary of Cascade Corporation, the company’s multimillion-dollar investment will create 41 jobs, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce. 

Founded in 1999, Lift-Tek designs and manufactures masts, carriages, integral sideshifters and fork positioners for the material handling market.

The company’s products are used in industrial trucks, automated guided vehicles, telehandlers, forklifts and more.

Lift-Tek will add 110,000 square feet to its existing manufacturing facility at 7040 South Highway 11 in Westminster and invest in updated production equipment.

Operations are expected to be online in January 2027. Those interested in joining the Lift-Tek team should visit the company’s careers page. 

“This project will not only enhance operational capabilities but also reinforce Lift-Tek and Cascade’s commitment to innovation and growth,” said Cascade Corporation and Lift-Tek President and CEO Davide Roncari. “We look forward to the positive impact this expansion will have on the team and the community.”

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

The council also awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to Oconee County to assist with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

 

Heidelberg Materials North America, a leading supplier of building materials, announced it is growing its South Carolina footprint with a new aggregates distribution terminal in Colleton County.

The company’s $7.3 million investment will create eight jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

With more than a century of experience, Heidelberg Materials supplies cement, aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt and other building materials to customers throughout North America.

The company operates more than 450 North American locations, including 16 in South Carolina, and employs approximately 9,000 people.

Heidelberg Materials will construct a 71-acre aggregates distribution terminal, located at 1616 Red Bank Road in Walterboro, to market crushed stone.

With direct access to the Palmetto Railways Salkehatchie Subdivision rail line, the new operation will enhance the company’s Southeast distribution network, officials said.

“Our new rail distribution terminal in Colleton County will enable Heidelberg Materials to efficiently and more sustainably supply much-needed construction aggregates to this growing market. The new aggregate depot will be complementary to our recent acquisition of Giant Cement,” said Heidelberg Materials North America Southeast Region President Scott Dickson.

Dickson added, “We are pleased to make this investment in the area and look forward to contributing to the continued growth and prosperity of the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.” 

Operations are expected to be online in the fourth quarter of 2025. Those interested in joining the Heidelberg Materials team should go to the company’s careers page.

 

Rotunda Capital Partners has invested in Capital Machine Technologies, Inc., in partnership with the existing owners and management team.

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Tampa, FL, Capital is a distributor and repair service provider of metal fabrication machinery including press brakes, robotic welders, metal cutting machinery, and other equipment to U.S. manufacturers across the Southeast and Midwest.

Capital provides its customers with comprehensive solutions including new equipment, preventative maintenance, emergency repairs, and aftermarket parts.

“Rotunda was looking to partner with a strong company that was well positioned to benefit from accelerating growth in U.S. manufacturing. Capital hit everything we were looking for – a leader in the fabrication equipment space, a growing presence in robotics, a strong aftermarket service program, and a top tier management team that was well regarded across the industry,” said Rohit Dhake, managing director at Rotunda.

Said Dan DeBickero, Capital founder and CEO, said, “We believe their partnership will help us accelerate our already strong repair and maintenance services, enter new geographies, and expand our product offering.”

DeBickero and his senior management team will continue to lead the business.

Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP served as legal advisor to Rotunda on this transaction. Financing was provided by Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors.

Capital was established in 1984, in Tampa, FL, and expanded to serve the entire South with additional showrooms in Atlanta, GA, and Dallas, TX.

Capital’s distribution and service area spans 16 states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Kentucky.

 

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