A global manufacturer of aerospace components is investing about $43 million and adding 53 jobs in a customer-fueled expansion of its North Charleston operation.
Eaton Corp. announced Sept. 30 that it plans to build a 60,000-square-foot plant next to its longtime existing factory at 7230 Cross County Road to make hydraulic pumps and motors. The parts are “used on nearly every major aircraft today,” according to a Charleston County Council document.
Eaton said the investment will partly support a recent, unidentified “program win” for the manufacturer. It also will give the company extra capacity to take on new business.
The new jobs will pay an average of $46 per hour, or $97,632 a year, boosting Eaton’s existing local payroll by about $5.14 million, the S.C. Commerce Department said.
The capital investment will be split roughly between property improvements and equipment
The second plant is expected to ramp up operations starting in 2028.
“The expansion … will enable Eaton to add machining, assembly and test capabilities and expand our existing additive manufacturing capability to support a key customer’s accelerated delivery schedule on a new program win,” company executive Armando Tellez said in a written statement.
The manufacturer considered about six of its other sites for the investment, according to Merle Johnson, Charleston County’s economic development director.
The expansion is expected to generate about $11.7 million for government agencies over the next 20 years under an agreement that replaces Eaton’s property tax bill with a flat fee.
Also, up to $2.3 million in state tax credits and government grants have been approved for the company to help pay for infrastructure upgrades and construction costs tied to the project.
County Council’s finance committee approved the incentive package last month. At the time, Eaton was identified by the code name “Project Modern.”
The property tax break still must be finalized. County Council will hold a public hearing on the fee agreement on Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m.