Lockheed Martin, Slovakia Usher In New Era Of European Air Defense With Arrival Of First F-16 Block 70 Jets

Halton MEI USA, Inc. Selects Anderson County for First South Carolina Operation

Halton MEI USA, Inc. (Halton), a leader in indoor climate technology, announced it selects Anderson County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation – a manufacturing facility.

The $2.6 million investment will create 65 jobs, according to Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

Founded in Finland in 1969, Halton is a family-owned, global technology leader providing indoor air solutions to customers in over 35 countries.

The company designs, manufactures, and delivers indoor environment products for spaces including marine, energy and heavy industry environments.

Halton will lease a 39,000-square-foot space located at 120 Exchange Logistics Park Drive, Piedmont.

Operations are expected to be online in August 2024. 

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 Anderson County to assist with the costs of building improvements.

Fifth District Survey of Manufacturing Activity

Manufacturing activity in the Fifth District, which includes South Carolina, worsened in July, according to the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The composite manufacturing index decreased from −10 in June to −17 in July. Of its three component indexes, shipments fell notably, new orders decreased, and employment edged down.

Firms grew less optimistic about local business conditions, as the index fell from −13 to −21.

The index for future local business conditions edged down from 9 to 7 in July.

The future indexes for shipments and new orders remained solidly in positive territory, suggesting that firms continued to expect improvements in these areas over the next six months.

The vendor lead time index increased into slightly positive territory for only the second time in two years. Firms continued to report declining backlogs in July as that index remained negative.

The average growth rate of prices paid and prices received decreased in July. Firms expected little change in price growth over the next 12 months.

The Hub City Spartanburgers Join South Atlantic League (SAL) as High A Affiliate

Minor League Baseball (MiLB) and the Hub City Spartanburgers announced the team will compete in the High-A South Atlantic League (SAL) upon its debut at Fifth Third Park in 2025.

Officials said the High-A-affiliation marks a significant milestone for Spartanburg as the new club prepares to revive its storied legacy of Minor League Baseball in the Upstate and contribute to the region’s rich baseball culture.

The Spartanburgers will compete in the SAL’s South Division, providing fun local rivalries with the Greenville Drive and Asheville Tourists, as well as with fellow South Division members: Winston-Salem Dash, Rome Emperors, and Bowling Green Hot Rods.

The Spartanburgers previously announced Fifth Third Bank as its naming rights partner and broke ground on its future home, Fifth Third Park, last November, followed by a community celebration announcing the name of the team earlier this year.

“I am really excited for what this means for our fans and for our community”, said Tyson Jeffers, Hub City Spartanburgers’ general manager. “The Sally League hosts and develops some of the best young baseball players in the game, and I can’t wait to welcome them to Fifth Third Park."

Jeffers added, "Beyond that, I am looking forward to developing a healthy and fun rivalry with our friends in Greenville and throughout the Carolinas.”

In April 2025, Fifth Third Park will open its gates to usher in the new era of professional baseball and entertainment in downtown Spartanburg.

Fifth Third Park will be a year-round community asset and gathering place. In addition to 66 home baseball games, Fifth Third Park will host other sporting events, concerts, comedy shows, festivals, educational activities, corporate events, and more.

The Down East Wood Ducks, currently playing in Kinston, North Carolina,, will move to Spartanburg following the 2024 season to become the Hub City Spartanburgers, at which point the team will take over the Hickory Crawdads’ place in the SAL as the Rangers’ High-A affiliate.

The Crawdads will return to their roots to compete in the Carolina League, as the Single-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, after the 2024 season.

Spartanburg's affiliation with the SAL began in the early years of the league's existence, hosting various teams under different names and affiliations over the decades, and contributing significantly to the league's competitive landscape.

Although the SAL name has existed in MiLB for more than a century, the modern-day Sally League began as the Western Carolina League in 1948.

The name South Atlantic League was adopted in 1980, beginning with eight teams as a Class A league.

Following a one-year run as the High-A East in 2021, the South Atlantic League returned as a 12-team circuit reaching from New York to Georgia.

Other members of the South Atlantic League will play in the North Division and include: Aberdeen IronBirds, Brooklyn Cyclones, Greensboro Grasshoppers, Hudson Valley Renegades, Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Wilmington Blue Rocks.

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