BMW is an automotive industry leader and has built over six million vehicles in the United States. Over the past 30 years, Plant Spartanburg has played a significant role in BMW’s remaining a global leader and being the largest automotive exporter in the country. BMW appears, convincingly, determined to lead in global mobility electrification with its recent multiple multibillion-dollar investments.
Oliver Zipse, BMW Group Chairman, enthusiastically announced a $1.7 billion dollar investment to accelerate BMW’s pace to build six electric vehicles by 2030 in Plant Spartanburg. He continued to announce plans to invest $700 million dollars to build a new 1-million-square-foot, high-voltage battery assembly facility in Woodruff and create 300 jobs. This facility will ensure BMW-made batteries will power the new BMW electric vehicles.
South Carolina is on a trajectory to be one of the epicenters in the electrification of mobility with this investment and the partnerships among Oliver Zipse, Robert Engelhorn, President and CEO, BMW Manufacturing Co., Governor Henry McMaster, United States Senator Lindsay Graham, Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey III, Chairman of Spartanburg County Council Economic Development Committee, David Britt, and Mayor for the City of Woodruff, Kenneth Gist.
The excitement of BMW building a facility in Woodruff remains at an all-time high. Driving into Woodruff from Spartanburg, you can’t miss the signage that reads Welcome BMW Willkommen.
City officials present during the announcement discussed the significant impact that this investment will have throughout the Woodruff community. Many students in the Woodruff High School band expressed their excitement about being included in participating in such a momentous occasion in the history of the town. Dressed in their official band uniforms, they represented the student body with style, class, and excellent musicianship.
Some local leaders stated that this investment was an exciting and progressive historic moment. This partnership seems really good for various reasons.
Like BMW, Woodruff has consistently been recognized for its excellence in leadership, academics, athletics, business-friendliness, and growth plans.
Several citizens have expressed feelings of hope about a more prosperous standard of living, while others have expressed anxiety about more changes to their small-town way of life. Overall, Woodruff leaders continue to usher in new and unprecedented growth. Some of the local leaders present were: Mayor Kenneth Gist, City Manager Lee Bailey, Superintendent Dr. Rallie Liston, city council members, school board members, and BMW associates who live in Woodruff and Spartanburg County.
Author: Tracy Sanders
