Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2 Million to Establish Flex Lab One Building at Clemson University to Support Advanced Manufacturing in South Carolina

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2 million grant to LICAR, LLC., Greenville, South Carolina, to construct the Clemson University Land Stewardship Foundation's Flex Lab One Building on the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research campus. The EDA grant, to be matched with more than $2 million in local funds, is expected to create or retain 75 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment.

“President Trump is working diligently every day to improve our country’s infrastructure in order to facilitate job creation and support business needs,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. “The new Flex Lab One building on Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research campus will serve new and existing companies focused on expanding the advanced manufacturing and transportation industries in South Carolina.”

“Creating manufacturing jobs has been a top priority of the Trump Administration,” said Dana Gartzke, Performing the Delegated Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “EDA is pleased to support the Clemson University Land Stewardship Foundation’s strategy to establish a new advanced manufacturing laboratory designed to grow the transportation and mobility industries and create jobs throughout the state of South Carolina.”

“The U.S. Department of Commerce’s investment into our manufacturing and transportation industries is vital to the continued growth of our economy,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “This investment highlights South Carolina’s efforts to provide our business communities with state-of-the-art facilities that promote innovation and supply a skilled workforce.”

“South Carolina is a business-friendly state and has attracted a number of businesses in the manufacturing and transportation industries over the years—especially in the Upstate,” said Congressman William Timmons (SC-04). “This grant funding to construct the Clemson University Land Stewardship Foundation's Flex Lab One Building campus will help drive even more of these manufacturers to our state in the years to come, creating good-paying jobs for South Carolinians. We are grateful for this investment and look forward to its completion.”

This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, which EDA funds to help bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment and create jobs.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.