If you own a home or a business, you should already know that at some point, you will need to hire an electrician in cityname to fix electrical issues and maintain your property's wiring systems. Unfortunately, many people forego certified, experienced electricians to save money. The reality is, trying to fix an electrical issue in your home or business is no small task and often costs more money than hiring a professional. Working with electricity can be dangerous to your property and, more importantly, your health.
It might seem like a good idea to try a DIY approach or call your "do it all" local handyman, but going pro will save you time and money when it comes to serious projects like thermal imaging and three-phase panel installations. Think about it: why spend money buying expensive supplies and countless hours watching electrical repair videos when there's a good chance you'll need professional help in the end? Many DIY electricians have good intentions but often end up damaging electrical systems worse than before.
At Engineered Electrical Solutions, we get the job done right the first time, so you can focus on enjoying life while we fix your electrical problem. We bring the same level of quality and reliability to every job we perform, whether it's a routine safety inspection or a whole home electrical installation. Unlike some electricians in South Carolina, we go above and beyond to ensure our customers are safe and satisfied with our work. We pride ourselves on keeping customers informed throughout their electrical job and follow up on our projects to make sure our fixes stick.
At the end of the day, excellent customer care is what we strive to achieve. We do so by providing the highest quality commercial and residential electrical services at affordable prices, all year long. Here are just a few reasons why Lowcountry residents trust Engineered Electrical Solutions:
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Any homeowner with a little confidence can open their YouTube app and search for DIY fixes for residential electrical problems. To be fair, many minor fixes in the home don't require a pro. With that said, electrical work is not something you should tackle on your own. Trying to perform an electrical repair on your own can be counterproductive at best and fatal at worst. In fact, around 400 people are electrocuted at home every year, and almost half of those result in deaths.
Why put yourself and your family at risk when Engineered Electrical Solutions can get the job done safely and effectively for you?
Our expert electricians only work with the best materials available and provide a three-year guarantee on all labor - no questions asked. We never
compromise quality for time and always give our clients realistic schedules to accommodate their busy lives.
During the course of the year, we serve many Lowcountry homeowners just like you, who know they need a professional
electrician to help.Some of our most common residential electrical services include:
If you're having electrical problems in your home, one of the quickest, most efficient ways to find out what's going on is with professional troubleshooting. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, our highly-trained, licensed technicians have years of experience diagnosing and remediating residential electrical problems across South Carolina.
If you're having electrical problems in your home, one of the quickest, most efficient ways to find out what's going on is with professional troubleshooting. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, our highly-trained, licensed technicians have years of experience diagnosing and remediating residential electrical problems across South Carolina.
Installing a new electrical panel or upgrading your current one can be a great way to protect your home from electrical issues. It controls the entire electrical system of your home and, when properly installed and maintained, can last for years without problems. Replacing or updating your electrical panel can prevent short-circuiting and overloaded circuits and offer features like arc fault protection.
If your electrical panel seems to be malfunctioning, don't try to troubleshoot the mishap by yourself. At Engineered Electrical Solutions, our team will come to your home to inspect your electrical panel's wiring, so you don' have to. Once we diagnose the problem, we'll offer suggestions based on your needs and budget.
An electrical safety inspection is essentially a thorough examination of your home's electrical system. Using National Electric Code guidelines, our residential safety inspectors will examine your home's electrical systems, wiring, and components (like appliances) to ensure they meet safety standards. Once we're done, your electrical inspector will give you a thorough checklist to look over, including electrical problems that need attention ASAP. We will also suggest areas of improvement and possible areas where upgrades are needed. In our experience, homeowners need electrical safety inspections when they:
High-tech appliances, kitchen gadgets, and computers are all vulnerable to power surges caused by lightning storms. When too much electricity runs through your home's connecting wires, it can fry the circuits in your most expensive electronics. Since many professionals in today's society work from home, losing critical documents and files can be catastrophic.
That's why it's a good idea to consider whole-home surge protection. Surge protection for your home suppresses fluctuating power by diverting excess electricity to a ground wire. If you're interested in learning more about surge protection for your home, call our office today to learn more about the options we can install for you.
Having a reliable electrician on hand that you can trust with electrical repairs is of utmost importance when you own a business in South Carolina. For years, Engineered Electrical Solutions has provided business owners with the most effective electrical repair and installation services in the Lowcountry. Our team is adept at assisting businesses of all sizes, from small "mom and pop" shops to industrial plants and everything in between.
We offer a wide range of electrical services, from electrical panel installation and business rewiring to transformer installation and thermal imaging. Modern businesses count on energy-efficient electricity to help run their day-to-day operations. If you need your electrical systems to run smoothly so you can stay focused on building your business, count on Engineered Electrical Solutions to be there when you need us the most.
A few of our most popular commercial and industrial electrical services include but are not limited to:
Commercial and industrial-sized buildings are large and complex by the nature of their construction. By proxy, commercial buildings have complicated wiring and electrical systems. Electrical work in the commercial market is best left to experienced, licensed professionals. If you're looking for the very best commercial electricians in Metro Fort Lawn, Engineered Electrical Solutions is here to serve you.
We have completed hundreds of commercial electrician projects for companies like Blue Oyster Restaurant, Shell Gas Stations, Flex Warehouses, Dentist Offices, and many more. With the most up-to-date equipment and years of professional experience, our team is ready to tackle your electrical problem, no matter how large.
A few of our most popular commercial and industrial electrical services include but are not limited to:
Your businesses' electrical system will trip when it has too much electricity running through it. These problems are very common in commercial properties and usually stem from one of three culprits: circuit overloads, short circuits, and ground fault surges. Obviously, when your circuits are tripped regularly, your business operations suffer. To help solve your circuit breaker problems, our commercial electricians will come to your location for in-depth troubleshooting. Once we discover the root cause, we'll get to work on repairing your circuit breaker, so you can continue working and serving your customers.
Like tripped circuit breakers, dimming or flickering lights are among the most common commercial electrical problems in South Carolina. These issues typically stem from poor electrical connections. These poor connections will usually cause sparks, which can start fires and wreak havoc on your commercial building. While dimming lights might seem minor, if you leave this problem to fester, you could be looking at permanent damage to your businesses' electrical systems. Given the danger involved in fixing this problem, it's important that you work with a licensed business electrician like Engineered Electrical Solutions as soon as you're able to.
Dead power outlets aren't always dangerous, unlike other recurring commercial electrical issues. They are, however, disruptive to your company's productivity. Dead outlets are common in older commercial buildings and are often caused by circuit overloads. Connecting multiple high-wattage devices and appliances to the same power socket can cause overheating. When the power outlet overheats, it can lead to tripped circuit breakers. In some cases, the live wire catches fire and burns until it is disconnected. For a reliable solution using high-quality switches, sockets, and circuit breakers, it's best to hire a professional business electrician to get the job done right.
Finding a real-deal, qualified commercial electrician in South Carolina is harder than you might think. Whether it's due to availability or budget, you might be tempted to hire a residential electrician for your commercial electrical problem. While it's true that great residential electricians can help solve commercial issues in theory, it's always best to hire a business electrician with professional experience.
Unlike their residential colleagues, commercial electricians are licensed to deal with different materials and procedures suited specifically for businesses. Commercial wiring is much more complex than residential, and is strategically installed with maintenance, repair, and changes in mind. Additionally, commercial properties usually use a three-phase power supply, necessitating more schooling, skills, and technical ability to service.
The bottom line? If you're a business owner with commercial electricity problems, it's best to work with a licensed commercial electrician, like you will find at Engineered Electrical Solutions.
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
We want to be sure every one of our customers is satisfied, which is why we offer a three-year guaranteed on our labor. If you're in need of an electrician for your home or business, give our office a call and discover the Engineered Electrical Solutions difference.
MONCKS CORNER — Check the box. Fort Fair Lawn is the first historic site that is part of South Carolina’s Liberty Trail to open to the public.The ribbon was cut the morning of Sept. 23, providing access to a remarkable, well-preserved British fort used during the American Revolution as a staging ground and strategic installation. It both deployed Redcoats to Charleston and the surrounding areas, and received Redcoats in retreat from battles such as the bloody one in 1781 at Eutaw Springs, the last big confrontation of the ...
MONCKS CORNER — Check the box. Fort Fair Lawn is the first historic site that is part of South Carolina’s Liberty Trail to open to the public.
The ribbon was cut the morning of Sept. 23, providing access to a remarkable, well-preserved British fort used during the American Revolution as a staging ground and strategic installation. It both deployed Redcoats to Charleston and the surrounding areas, and received Redcoats in retreat from battles such as the bloody one in 1781 at Eutaw Springs, the last big confrontation of the war in the state.
Tours are available via the Old Santee Canal Park in Moncks Corner. Temporary signage is mounted with permanent signage interpreting this history to come.
The fort was manned by garrisons ordered to protect British interests and to make it easier to move troops. It was a crossroads and a base from which the British lay siege on Charleston.
During that siege and subsequent occupation, which spanned 32 months beginning in the spring of 1780, American fighters led by Brig. Gen. Francis Marion, Lt. Col. Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, Col. Wade Hampton, Col. Hezekiah Maham, Col. Isaac Shelby and other Patriots adopted guerrilla tactics and harassed British positions.
This strategy eroded the ability of the British to retain control of the territory. They were forced to engage in skirmishes, launch raids to procure food, forage for supplies and more, often finding themselves under fire.
Fort Fair Lawn was an extension of the Fair Lawn Barony, 12,000 acres along the west branch of the Cooper River owned by the Colleton family. It included a mansion the British would use as a retreat.
On Nov. 17, 1781, Marion dispatched Maham and Shelby and about 400 fighters to attack Fair Lawn. The British, taken by surprise, were forced to surrender.
The Lord Berkeley Trust began the process of acquiring the 80-acre Fort Fair Lawn tract in 2007, but it wasn’t until 2016 that the property was secured. It took $1 million in funding from the South Carolina Conservation Bank, $500,000 in hydrology mitigation funding from the State Ports Authority, and $500,000 from the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program.
A tiny bridge in the woods leads to the fort, surrounded by the remains of a moat that once had about 6 feet of water in it. A small mound marks the remains of a cannon barbette. In the center of the fort are some loose bricks that once were part of a kiln the British used to forge weapons and ammunition. From this location the fort’s earthen walls, now merely eroded and overgrown mounds, are easier to see.
Doug Bostick, executive director of the S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust, said the upcoming 250th anniversary celebration of the Revolutionary War surely has provided impetus to many to secure this and other historic sites. The trust, he said, has enjoyed notable success in recent years. Six properties are currently subject to negotiations, he said.
Among them is a site in Hollywood connected to the Battle of Stono Ferry. Another is Hammond’s Store in Laurens County. Another is Ports Ferry in Florence County.
All of these Revolutionary War sites will be part of the Liberty Trail, a joint effort between the S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust and the American Battlefield Trust to preserve, interpret and promote key battlefields of the Southern Campaign.
The network is made possible thanks to involvement from nonprofits such as the Lord Berkeley Conservation Trust, the South Carolina Conservation Bank, municipal and county officials, and private and corporate philanthropy.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster's schedules for the week of October 3 will include the following:Monday, October 3 at 10:30 AM: Gov. McMaster held a press conference with Congressman Jim Clyburn and the Office of Regulatory Staff to provide an update on broadband deployment, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.Tuesday, October 4 at 11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend the groundbreaking ceremony of DC BLOX, Myrtle Bea...
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela S. Evette, and First Lady Peggy McMaster's schedules for the week of October 3 will include the following:
Monday, October 3 at 10:30 AM: Gov. McMaster held a press conference with Congressman Jim Clyburn and the Office of Regulatory Staff to provide an update on broadband deployment, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.
Tuesday, October 4 at 11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend the groundbreaking ceremony of DC BLOX, Myrtle Beach Cable Landing Station, Myrtle Beach International Technology & Aerospace Park (iTAP), 1401 Howard Avenue, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Wednesday, October 5 at 10:30 AM: Gov. McMaster will be the keynote speaker at the groundbreaking for the new Life and Health Sciences building at Greenville Technical College, Barton Campus, 506 South Pleasantburg, Greenville, S.C.
Wednesday, October 5 at 1:00 PM: Gov. McMaster will attend a Manufacturing Industry Showcase at the Anderson Civic Center, 3027 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Anderson, S.C.
Thursday, October 6 at 11:45 AM: Lt. Gov. Evette will attend the Western Upstate Association of REALTORS lunch, Association Conference Center, 600 McGee Road, Anderson, S.C.
Thursday, October 6 at 2:30 PM: Gov. McMaster will attend the expansion ribbon cutting of Nutramax Laboratories, Nutramax Laboratories, 946 Quality Drive, Lancaster, S.C.
Friday, October 7 at 9:30 AM: Gov. McMaster will attend the grand opening of the BMW Training Center and recognize Manufacturing Day, BMW Amphitheater, 1400 SC-101, Greer, S.C.
Friday, October 7 at 3:00 PM: Gov. McMaster will attend the ribbon cutting of the E & J Gallo’s Warehouse, 5948 Lancaster Highway, Fort Lawn, S.C
Gov. Henry McMaster’s Weekly Schedule: September 26, 2022
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Gov. Henry McMaster’s schedule for the week of September 26, 2022, included:
Monday, September 26
1:30 PM: Call with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held an executive conference call regarding Hurricane Ian.
Gov. McMaster was in the Office of the Governor for office hours, State House, first floor, Columbia, S.C.
4:00 PM: Constituent meeting.
Tuesday, September 27
2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held an executive conference call regarding Hurricane Ian, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
4:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held a media availability, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
Wednesday, September 28
Gov. McMaster was in the Office of the Governor for office hours, State House, 1100 Gervais Street, Columbia, S.C.
1:00 PM: Gov. McMaster spoke to the Outdoor Advertisers Association of South Carolina’s Annual Meeting, Palmetto Club, 1231 Sumter Street, Columbia, S.C.
2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held an executive conference call regarding Hurricane Ian, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
3:30 PM: Gov. McMaster held a media availability, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
Thursday, September 29
10:30 AM: Call with Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg.
11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster attended the expansion ribbon cutting of American SpiralWeld Pipe, 2061 American Italian Way, Columbia, S.C.
12:17 PM: Call with Congresswoman Nancy Mace.
12:26 PM: Call with United States Senator Tim Scott.
12:30 PM: Call with Mike Callahan, S.C. President, Duke Energy.
1:42 PM: Call with United States Senator Lindsey Graham.
1:45 PM: Call with Rear Admiral Brendan McPherson, Commander for the U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District.
1:52 PM: Call with North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley.
1:55 PM: Call with Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe.
1:56 PM: Call with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
2:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held an executive conference call regarding Hurricane Ian, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
3:05 PM: Call with Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune.
3:06 PM: Call with Edisto Beach Mayor Crawford Moore.
3:08 PM: Call with Sullivan's Island Mayor Pat O'Neil.
3:09 PM: Call with North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.
3:12 PM: Call with Folly Beach Mayor Tim Goodwin.
3:14 PM: Call with Hilton Head Island Mayor John McCann.
3:16 PM: Call with Conway Mayor Barbara Blain-Bellamy.
3:19 PM: Call with Kiawah Island Mayor John Labriola.
3:23 PM: Call with Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry.
3:37 PM: Call with Mt. Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie.
4:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held a media availability, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
8:25 PM: Call with United States Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
8:35 PM: Call with Awendaw Mayor Miriam Green.
Friday, September 30
8:02 AM: Call with Congressman Tom Rice.
9:21 AM: Call with Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune.
10:54 AM: Call with United States President Joe Biden.
11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster held an executive conference call regarding Hurricane Ian, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
11:53 AM: Call with North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley.
11:57 AM: Call with Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry.
12:08 PM: Call with Sullivan's Island Mayor Pat O'Neil.
12:11 PM: Call with Surfside Beach Mayor Bob Hellyer.
12:26 PM: Call with Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg.
12:30 PM: Gov. McMaster held a media availability, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
5:09 PM: Call with United States Senator Tim Scott.
6:07 PM: Call with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
Saturday, October 1
10:30 AM: Call with Gail McGovern, National President, American Red Cross.
11:00 AM: Gov. McMaster held an executive conference call regarding Hurricane Ian, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
12:15 PM: Meeting with Congressman Joe Wilson.
12:30 PM: Gov. McMaster held a media availability, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
1:15: PM: Visited with members of the S.C. National Guard's Joint Operations Center.
3:30 PM: Meeting with Grand Strand state and local officials.
4:00 PM: Gov. McMaster held a media availability, South Carolina Emergency Management Division, 2779 Fish Hatchery Road, West Columbia, S.C.
5:15 PM: Gov. McMaster toured Pawleys Island damage and recovery operations.
7:35 PM: Call with North Myrtle Beach Mayor Marilyn Hatley.
$423 million investment will create 496 new jobs over the next eight years COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and the S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster and the S.C. Department of Commerce today announced that E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo), a global wine and spirits company, will build a new state-of-the-art production facility and distribution center in Chester County to support future business growth and its long-term innovation plans. The $423 million investment will create 496 new jobs over the next eight years.
“Gallo’s investment will transform Chester County and contribute greatly to South Carolina’s economic prosperity. Creating a business environment in which world-class brands can grow and thrive is critical to South Carolina’s long-term economic success, especially in our rural communities,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “We are glad for their partnership and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.”
Providing bottling and canning capacity as well as warehousing and distribution for the company’s growing portfolio of wine and spirit brands, the new South Carolina facility will allow Gallo to better meet customer demand on the East Coast, while reducing its overall carbon footprint. Given Chester County’s proximity to the Port of Charleston, this new location will also serve as a hub for Gallo’s import and export business.
“We could not be more appreciative of the collaboration and support shown by the state of South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and those in Chester County along with all of the public and private entities who have embraced this project throughout the planning process and have welcomed us to the community,” said Gallo CEO, Ernest J. Gallo.
Construction on the new facility is set to begin almost immediately, with the first phase of the project on track to be completed in October of 2022. Gallo is working closely with readySC to prepare for hiring and various workforce training needs. Individuals interested in joining the Gallo team should visit www.gallocareers.com/southcarolina for more information.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project. A $16 million Rural Infrastructure Fund grant was also awarded to Chester County to assist with costs of the project.
Last month, the S.C. Department of Commerce went before the Joint Bond Review Committee and the State Fiscal Accountability Authority and received authorization for $8 million in bonds to offset costs of off-site mitigation under the Economic Development Bond Act.
QUOTES
“Cheers to E. & J. Gallo Winery on today’s big announcement that the company is establishing operations in South Carolina. We often say economic development is a team sport in S.C., and this project demonstrates the true collaboration on the local and state levels and beyond. Gallo’s $423 million investment and the 496 new jobs in Chester County will transform the region. We take pride in our state’s business-friendly environment, and we welcome Gallo to our roster of world-class companies within our borders.” -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt
“We are delighted that E. & J. Gallo selected Chester County as the home for their new East Coast operation. This is a project of regional significance, and Gallo selected us after an extensive search by J.M. Mullis Inc. They determined that our strong manufacturing base and proximity to talent were the key determining factors. Chester County is in a great strategic location along the I-77 corridor between two metros: Charlotte and Columbia. We are honored to have this company locate in Chester County.” -Chester County Council Chair Dr. Wylie Frederick
“E. & J. Gallo Winery is a first-rate, world-class, family-owned company. The city of Lancaster is thrilled to partner with E. & J. Gallo Winery and our across-the-river neighbors to bring good jobs, fine wines and spirits and economic vitality to our region.” -City of Lancaster Mayor Alston DeVenny
“The town of Fort Lawn is very excited that E. & J. Gallo Winery has chosen our area for this expansion of their operations. We are looking forward to working with them as they continue to grow and develop this distribution network. Gallo’s rich family history and sense of community are just what we need here in Fort Lawn and Chester County. E. & J. Gallo Winery has shown that they are a great neighbor and supporter of their community, and they are making a substantial investment and commitment that will benefit Fort Lawn and the surrounding region. We are confident this will help attract other companies to join in what is sure to be great things for the Fort Lawn community.” -Town of Fort Lawn Mayor Carlton Martin
“South Carolina Ports is thrilled to be an integral part of E. & J. Gallo Winery’s global supply chain. This family-owned, California-based company has seen sustainable growth with both wine and spirits. Gallo’s $423 million investment to open a wine bottling and distribution plant in Chester County relies on the ability to import through the Port of Charleston. SC Ports’ efficient operations and reliable service meet the needs of this global wine industry leader.” -SC Ports President and CEO Jim Newsome
“The proposition of the I-77 region as an ideal location for corporate investment is truly validated when E. & J. Gallo, the nation’s largest winemaker, selects it for their East Coast operations hub. Distribution will be a priority component of this expansion and fortunately the I-77 region is within a single day’s truck drive of 42% of the U.S. market, including five of the 10 fastest-growing U.S. metro areas. This location, coupled with the region’s tremendous transportation infrastructure and South Carolina’s pro-business climate, creates a truly compelling opportunity for a company’s sustainable growth.” -I-77 Alliance Interim President and CEO Christopher Finn
“The Lancaster & Chester Railroad (L&C) is thrilled to partner with E. & J. Gallo Winery, supporting the continued growth of their impressive wine and spirits business. Knowing the selection criteria for this project required access to both Class I rail networks and excellent daily service, we were pleased to help them locate a great site. Celebrating its 125-year anniversary, L&C is honored that E. & J. Gallo Winery has chosen Chester County for this generational investment. As part of the Gulf & Ohio Railways family of short lines, L&C welcomes E. & J. Gallo Winery to one of the best economic development regions on the East Coast.” -Gulf & Ohio Railways Chief Business Development Officer Matt Gedney
“Duke Energy is happy to have played a pivotal role in helping E. & J. Gallo Winery understand everything Chester County and South Carolina have to offer. For more than a century, Duke Energy has powered the state and its economy through significant business recruitment and retention efforts, and we look forward to serving our new neighbors in Fort Lawn for many years to come.” -Duke Energy South Carolina President Mike Callahan
FORT LAWN, S.C. -- The largest winemaker in the world has chosen South Carolina as the location for its new bottling and distribution plant. E&J Gallo Winery has announced that its upcoming facility located in Chester County will be the company’s primary distribution hub east of the Mississippi.If you haven’t heard of the E&J Gallo Winery project, you may know it by its other name: Project Magma. The name Magma was chosen by Gallo as a reference to the molten hot lava that serves as the primary ingredient in bottle...
FORT LAWN, S.C. -- The largest winemaker in the world has chosen South Carolina as the location for its new bottling and distribution plant. E&J Gallo Winery has announced that its upcoming facility located in Chester County will be the company’s primary distribution hub east of the Mississippi.
If you haven’t heard of the E&J Gallo Winery project, you may know it by its other name: Project Magma. The name Magma was chosen by Gallo as a reference to the molten hot lava that serves as the primary ingredient in bottle making. The $400-million investment, which first required a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory permit, will create more than 500 jobs with a potential for even more jobs in the future as expansions are planned.
Regulatory began working with the applicant on the 630-acre site in November 2020 and finished in early July of this year. While the permitting process went fairly quickly for a project of this size, USACE regulators needed to ensure that everything was in order just as it would be for any other regulatory permit application. Richard Darden, the regulatory project manager, said the level of preparation in the winemaker’s application had a huge impact on the timeline.
“What was different about their project was their level of preparation,” Darden said. “I would say their efficiency, attention to detail and constant communication kept the back-and-forth process moving. It’s always a continuing dialogue when working a large application such as this.”
The location of the plant came with its own set of challenges. Located in the upstate, the site had aquatic resources commonly found in that area. That location includes wetlands and tributaries that flow into the Catawba River, therefore requiring a USACE permit under the Clean Water Act.
Multiple streams and associated wetlands that feed directly into the Catawba River were found on the site. “No net loss” of aquatic resources is a goal of the regulatory program. This goal includes incorporating as much avoidance and minimization of impacts to streams and wetlands into the project design, while achieving the project’s purpose. After identifying the alternative with the least wetland and stream impacts, compensatory mitigation is typically required to offset the unavoidable losses.
The mitigation work by Gallo will take place on the Lancaster County side of the Catawba River where existing wetland and stream systems will be enhanced by improving the flow pathway of water through the system. The 500-acre mitigation area will ultimately become part of Landsford Canal State Park.
In speaking with Darden, it was clear that mitigating the effects of the development was not only Regulatory’s top priority, but also Gallo’s.
“We felt like their project was an important one in terms of the number of jobs it could bring to this rural area since Fort Lawn is home to less than 900 residents,” Darden said. “They had a very responsible design that minimized aquatic resource impacts and had a very satisfactory mitigation plan.”
The new plant will include the facilities needed for production, bottling, containerization and distribution of E&J Gallo wine and spirits. The range of products made at the new plant will be sold throughout the east coast, as well as exported overseas using the port of Charleston.
A twenty-minute drive to nearby Interstate 77 and with a rail line passing through town, Gallo found an ideal site for its new location. They have added railroad track spurs that go directly into the plant to allow for the loading and unloading of rail cars, therefore requiring fewer trucks for distribution.
“We see some projects where the analysis of alternative options is not thoroughly explored, but this was not one of those,” Darden said. “They really worked with us and their savviness to the process and knowing how we were going to interact made a huge difference in the timeliness of our permit decision. They just asked what they needed to do and did it.”
By choosing South Carolina as the location for its new plant, Gallo is following a growing trend of many other corporations such as Volvo and Walmart. With the district’s ongoing dredging of Charleston Harbor, Gallo says it plans to double, or even triple, its current operations as the Charleston Harbor becomes the deepest port on the east coast.
As the district celebrates 150 years of service to South Carolina and the nation, Project Magma is just one in a long line of other important regulatory permits the district has helped facilitate, while staying committed to the protection of our most precious resource, the environment. We are proud to play a critical role in the growth and prosperity of South Carolina.
The Charlotte Business Journal's editorial staff has compiled a list of the region's top 25 stories of 2022. We're counting down those stories here.In June 2021, E. & J. Gallo Winery announced plans for an ambitious project in the tiny South Carolina town of Fort Lawn. In October, the first piece of the Chester County operations for the nation’s largest winemaker opened, and construction is charging ahead for other elements of the company’s East Coast hub.Gallo’s regional distribution center was t...
The Charlotte Business Journal's editorial staff has compiled a list of the region's top 25 stories of 2022. We're counting down those stories here.
In June 2021, E. & J. Gallo Winery announced plans for an ambitious project in the tiny South Carolina town of Fort Lawn. In October, the first piece of the Chester County operations for the nation’s largest winemaker opened, and construction is charging ahead for other elements of the company’s East Coast hub.
Gallo’s regional distribution center was the first piece of its Chester County operations to open. The distribution element takes up just a portion of a 1.5 million-square-foot building that is under construction on Gallo’s site. Production lines for Gallo’s products are expected to begin opening up next year.
Gallo has pledged a $423 million investment and the creation of nearly 500 jobs for just the first phase of its East Coast hub in Fort Lawn. The first phase is expected to include the regional distribution center, a production facility, warehousing, bottling, canning and an import and export hub. The winemaker has obtained well over 600 acres at the intersection of S.C. Highway 9 and U.S. Highway 21 for the operations, and the site is rail-served. The first phase is taking up around 300 acres.
In total, the site could have as many as five major phases, Gallo leaders have said previously. Upon full buildout, Gallo's investment in Chester County is expected to surpass $1 billion and create over 1,000 jobs over several decades.
The Gallo project is seen as a game-changing economic development win for Chester County, Fort Lawn and the Interstate 77 corridor between Charlotte and Columbia. State leaders have repeatedly compared its potential long-term impacts to that of BMW’s on the Interstate 85 corridor between Charlotte and Greenville.
Gallo’s operations in Chester County are being led by Erich Kaepp, the company’s vice president of eastern operations. The Fort Lawn site is expected to accommodate much of Gallo’s future expansion efforts, as company leaders have said Gallo is out of room to expand at its home base in Modesto, California.
Look ahead: The manufacturing element of Gallo’s Fort Lawn operations is expected to ramp up in 2023. Gallo has expressed plans to open its first production line there in February for its High Noon brand, and has eyed May and August for the second and third production-line openings.