Columbia Area Development Partnership

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Columbia Area Development Partnership The Columbia Area Development Partnership (CADP) powers business growth in Richland County, SC.

We connect public + private leaders to drive jobs, investment, and innovation across the community.

📍 Learn more at ColumbiaAreaDevelopment.com The Richland County Economic Development Office (RCEDO) is committed to advancing the competitiveness of Richland County, South Carolina, by building a dynamic, diverse economy and increasing economic prosperity for its citizens. Founded in 2011, the RCEDO works with companies from around the world to establish new facilities or expand their existing presence in the County, building upon the community’s strong economic base and considerable assets to establish it as a global center for innovative businesses, technologies, and people.

Westinghouse Electric Company is expanding its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Hopkins with an approximately $1 bi...
10/21/2026

Westinghouse Electric Company is expanding its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility in Hopkins with an approximately $1 billion investment to advance nuclear fuel production.

The expansion will support commercial-scale production of low-enriched uranium plus (LEU+) fuel, an advanced nuclear fuel designed to help power plants generate more electricity while reducing refueling time and operating costs.

A part of the Richland County business community since 1968, Westinghouse operates one of the world's largest nuclear fuel facilities, producing fuel used to generate approximately 10% of U.S. electricity.

Westinghouse’s continued commitment to the Columbia area represents a powerful vote of confidence in Richland County, its people, and its advanced manufacturing capabilities, positioning our community at the forefront of next-generation energy production.

Congratulations to Westinghouse, and thank you to the S.C. Department of Commerce and our local and state partners for their collaboration in supporting this major investment in Richland County.

Read the full press release here: https://columbiaareadevelopment.com/westinghouse-expands-richland-county-operations-to-advance-next-generation-nuclear-fuel-2/

5 projects. More than $450 million in investment. One transforming district in the heart of downtown Columbia.Columbia A...
10/19/2026

5 projects. More than $450 million in investment. One transforming district in the heart of downtown Columbia.

Columbia Area Development Partnership brought our investors and Board members to Columbia’s The BullStreet District, Columbia, S.C. for a first-hand look at the transformation underway at the largest city-center development east of the Mississippi.

Led by Hughes Development Corporation, BullStreet’s master developer, our Industry in Action walking tour featured five projects representing more than $450 million in investment across corporate headquarters, residential development, hospitality, and higher education. Attendees heard directly from the people behind these projects about their investments, the district’s evolution, and what’s next.

BullStreet is a testament to what long-term vision, private-sector investment, and public-private collaboration can make possible. The transformation of the former South Carolina State Hospital campus into a vibrant mixed-use development is a powerful example of the economic momentum underway in Richland County.

It’s one thing to read about economic growth. It’s another to see the investments, meet the people, and experience the transformation firsthand.

That’s what Industry in Action is all about.

A special thank you to Hughes Development for its leadership in BullStreet’s redevelopment and for partnering with CADP to help tell its story.

Learn more: columbiaareadevelopment.com

📍 BullStreet District, Columbia, SC

A strong workforce starts with strong connections between education and industry.Columbia Area Development Partnership a...
10/19/2026

A strong workforce starts with strong connections between education and industry.

Columbia Area Development Partnership and Richland County School District One hosted the second Industry Roundtable led by Superintendent Dr. Todd Walker, bringing local employers and education leaders together to discuss evolving workforce needs, in-demand skills, and opportunities to better prepare students for careers in our region.

Held quarterly across different areas of the district, these roundtables create a consistent opportunity for employers and educators to exchange insights, strengthen alignment between classroom learning and industry needs, and support the development of Richland County's future talent pipeline.

Today, Scout Motors announced that seven automotive suppliers in the Upstate are expanding their operations, representi...
10/14/2026

Today, Scout Motors announced that seven automotive suppliers in the Upstate are expanding their operations, representing more than $82 million in new capital investment and 200 jobs.

These suppliers will support production of Scout vehicles at the company's Production Center in Blythewood, demonstrating how a transformational investment in Richland County can create opportunities well beyond our county lines.

From the beginning, we believed that Scout’s investment would do more than create opportunity in the Columbia area. Its impact would reach communities across South Carolina. Today’s announcement shows that vision coming to life.

At CADP, we're proud of the role Richland County plays in strengthening South Carolina's automotive industry and supporting the partnerships that make this kind of statewide economic growth possible.

Congratulations to Scout Motors, the seven expanding suppliers, and our economic development partners across the Upstate!

Read the full press release here: https://columbiaareadevelopment.com/scout-motors-suppliers-in-sc-upstate-expanding-to-create-200-new-jobs/

Why are companies choosing Richland County? The numbers tell part of the story.Since 2011, Richland County has attracted...
09/28/2026

Why are companies choosing Richland County? The numbers tell part of the story.

Since 2011, Richland County has attracted $5.4 billion in announced capital investment and nearly 15,000 new jobs, while more than $2 billion in commercial development has been announced since 2019.

Behind that growth is a strong combination of business advantages: a deep and diverse talent pipeline, access to leading colleges and universities, major interstate connectivity, available sites, and a business environment built to support companies at every stage of growth.

Those advantages are helping Richland County compete for major investments while supporting the companies already here as they expand, hire, and invest in their operations.

See for yourself what makes Richland County a destination for business and investment: columbiaareadevelopment.com.

Did you know?Richland County is home to a strong workforce, leading education and training institutions, and a growing m...
09/25/2026

Did you know?

Richland County is home to a strong workforce, leading education and training institutions, and a growing manufacturing base.

Here are a few facts that show why Richland County is a great place to build a business, grow a career, and invest in the future. ⬇️

The future of industry is being built here.

Visit our website to learn more about what CADP is doing to help position our community for continued economic growth: columbiaareadevelopment.com

Richland County is building momentum and the I-77 corridor is becoming a region to watch.At the South Carolina I-77 Alli...
09/24/2026

Richland County is building momentum and the I-77 corridor is becoming a region to watch.

At the South Carolina I-77 Alliance Executive Luncheon, CADP CEO Jeff Ruble discussed how renewed interest from Scout suppliers, record interest from private developers, and continued investment along the corridor are positioning Richland County for its next chapter of growth.

With at least six speculative developments being tracked, Jeff emphasized that Richland County is focused on building a community where businesses can grow, talent can thrive, and working families can succeed.

The ingredients are here. Now, we’re building on the momentum.

Learn more: https://columbiaareadevelopment.com/

For more than a year, CADP has been building on its role as Richland County’s economic engine. We are bringing public an...
09/22/2026

For more than a year, CADP has been building on its role as Richland County’s economic engine. We are bringing public and private partners together around one mission: driving investment, creating opportunity and building for the future.

Our evolution toward a stronger public-private model reflects what we know drives lasting economic growth: partnership.

When government, business and community leaders work together with a shared vision, we can move with greater purpose, unlock new investment and create opportunities that benefit the entire region.

Public and private partners. One mission. A stronger future for Richland County.

Learn more at: columbiaareadevelopment.com

Strong communities are an important part of a strong economic development strategy.The CADP team recently joined the Cit...
09/18/2026

Strong communities are an important part of a strong economic development strategy.

The CADP team recently joined the City of Columbia Government, Richland County, and other public and private partners for a first look at the Congaree Riverfront District and the vision taking shape for this development.

Projects like this can play an important role in creating communities where people want to live, work and invest. As new investments take shape across the region, we’re proud to be a partner at the table and support efforts that contribute to Richland County’s continued growth and economic vitality.

Learn more about CADP: https://columbiaareadevelopment.com/annual-report/

Today is National Workforce Development Day Workforce and in Richland County we know that workforce development takes pa...
09/17/2026

Today is National Workforce Development Day Workforce and in Richland County we know that workforce development takes partnership.

CADP is working across our education, workforce, and business communities to better connect employers with the resources available to help them grow.

That work is already taking shape:

🚧 Expanding training opportunities: Working with Midlands Technical College and Goodwill to explore expanded access to high-demand, short-term training opportunities
🧑🏻‍🎓 Connecting educators and industry: Collaborating with Richland One on industry roundtables that bring employers and educators together to strengthen communication around workforce needs and career pathways.

🔧 Supporting local employers: Launching a Workforce Navigator program through CADP’s Business Retention & Expansion efforts to provide customized workforce support to Richland County companies.

Our role is to listen to industry, bring the right partners to the table and connect companies with the resources they need.
That’s workforce development.

That’s economic development. And that’s what partnership looks like in Richland County.

Learn more: https://columbiaareadevelopment.com/

Address

1201 Main Street
Columbia, SC
29201

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18035762043

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