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For months, Orangeburg resident William Green has been calling, writing letters and traveling to meet with company leaders to push for service to be restored.

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Bus service is finally returning to Orangeburg months after Greyhound and its new owner removed the city from its route, leaving residents with no reliable way to travel in or out of the area.

For months, Orangeburg resident William Green has been calling, writing letters and traveling to meet with company leaders to push for service to be restored. “The process was very difficult, very difficult,” Green said. “I made several phone calls, I mailed out letters to Greyhound.”

Green says losing bus service cut off many people from opportunities to travel for school, work or to visit family. “We don't have a national airport with large flights coming in. We don't have a train station here,” he said. “The only thing that we had was a bus system for people to get in and out of Orangeburg, to visit students going back and forth home.”

He says his determination comes from his deep roots in the community. “My mother grew up here, my family’s from here, my grandparents, great-grandparents, and I just see that Orangeburg needs to be a better place for people to live and enjoy life,” Green said.

After meeting with company officials in Atlanta, Green says a new contract has been signed and service is officially set to return. “I’m just so happy that the bus is coming back and I don’t have to get somebody to drive me to Augusta or Charleston to catch the bus,” he said.

Bus service will operate out of the Travel Center on Edisto Drive, also known as Henry’s.

Service is expected to begin by the end of the month.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - A prominent data center solutions contractor and manufacturer announced Tuesday that it had selected a Midlands county for its first South Carolina location.

Mission Critical Interior Solutions, also known as MCIS, said Tuesday that Orangeburg County would be the company’s first South Carolina operation. The $7.4 million investment is expected to bring almost 50 jobs to the area.

“MCIS choosing Orangeburg County for its new operation is great news for our county. This $7.4 million investment and 49 new jobs bring meaningful opportunities and strengthen the economic momentum we’ve been working toward,” Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright said in a statement. “We appreciate MCIS for choosing Orangeburg County, and we look forward to the lasting, positive impact this project will have for our residents.”

The company’s headquarters are located in Dallas, and it is known for creating and installing architectural features such as structural ceilings, containment and security cages for data centers.

It also helps to create and install conveyance systems for data centers.

The company is located in Springfield at 1014 Railroad Ave.

“Expanding into South Carolina is an exciting milestone for MCIS. This community reflects the same values that drive our company – hard work, integrity, and a commitment to the American workforce. Our new Springfield operation strengthens our ability to serve customers nationwide while creating opportunities for talented individuals who want to grow with a company that puts people first.” Principal and CRO of MCIS, Jason Coe, said in a statement.

Operations have already begun. The new location will specialize in the creation of conveyance systems that are designed to integrate with data center buildouts.

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ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WIS) - Two overseas companies are investing over $120 million in Orangeburg County to support Scout Motors’ future facility in Blythewood.

A joint venture between SODECIA and AAPICO was announced Tuesday, which includes the construction of a 400,000-square-foot facility on St. Matthews Road in Orangeburg. It’s also expected to bring nearly 400 new jobs to the area.

“Today’s announcement by Sodecia Aapico JV is another clear vote of confidence in South Carolina’s world-class workforce, and it will further strengthen our booming automotive industry,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement. “This announcement is also the latest example of Scout Motors’ arrival driving additional investment and job creation across our state, bringing even more opportunities and prosperity for our people.”

According to a press release, the companies will manufacture advanced ladder frames for Scout Motors and will serve as “a critical parts supplier” for the automaker’s Blythewood production center.

The release also states that SODECIA is a Portugal-based supplier specializing in “engineering and manufacturing innovative structural components, powertrain systems and mechanisms for the world’s leading automotive manufacturers.”

AAPICO, meanwhile, is based in Thailand and focuses on “the production of jigs, dies, press parts, chassis frame components, cradles, plastic parts, and forged and machined components.”

“We appreciate companies that see value in Orangeburg County – our workforce, our location and our commitment to support industry. We welcome Sodecia Aapico JV and look forward to the positive impact this project will have for our residents," Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright said in a statement.

Construction of the SODECIA and AAPICO facility is scheduled to be finished in 2027.

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On Dec. 8, representatives from SODECIA AAPICO Joint Venture (SODECIA AAPICO JV) gathered to discuss their new operation in South Carolina and to celebrate the project’s groundbreaking in Orangeburg.

The project will support the endeavors of Scout Motors’ Blythewood plant through an investment of $120 million to build a new manufacturing facility in Orangeburg. This facility will produce ladder frames for Scout Motors vehicles and create nearly 400 new jobs in the area.

SODECIA is a global Tier 1 supplier operating across more than 40 locations in Europe, North and South America and Asia, while AAPICO is a publicly listed Tier 1 automotive parts manufacturer managing 50 subsidiaries and associated companies across Thailand, Malaysia, China and Portugal.

Monday’s meeting was filled with handshakes and excitement as company representatives from all across the globe gathered in Orangeburg to present their ongoing work and showcase the new economic opportunities they would be creating in South Carolina.

Congressman James Clyburn opened the afternoon by referencing South Carolina’s second motto: “Prepared in Mind and Resources.”

“Our job as leaders in this community, in this state, is to provide the resources that will allow people to put their minds to work for the betterment of this community and our great country, and that's what this project is all about, fulfilling that second motto, ‘Prepared in mind and resources,’” the Congressman said.

Ryan Decker, Vice President of Strategy and Brand at Scout Motors, also spoke to how the new project would positively impact the local community.

“We've always said that Scout Motors coming to South Carolina was transformative. Yes, it's a billion-dollar investment, and yes, it's 4,000 jobs, but for us, we see those benefits extending well beyond the 4,000 folks who are working in the factory. It's 4000 families. It's countless small businesses that will benefit from the inflow of activity and traffic and visitors and suppliers

“We're not just building a factory, we're not just creating jobs, we're a member of this community now. We want to be a good neighbor. We want to create opportunities for learning, training and development, and, at the end of the day, we want to treat the community and our employees with respect,” Decker concluded.

Mungo Homes celebrated its “Week of Giving” with a sleigh-load of charitable donations, culminating in a check presentation on Dec. 8.

Employees donned their blue Mungo Homes shirts with the motto “Empowering Community” written across the back as the Mungo Homes Foundation presented checks to seven local organizations as part of its annual “Week of Giving.”

Each check was presented by a Mungo Homes team member who had selected the organization based on the impact they had seen it make.

“What was most important to the Mungo Homes Foundation when selecting these organizations was really the passion that our team members had for them. What you saw today were team members who received support themselves from some of these organizations,” said Pate Graham, Director of Customer Experience at Mungo Homes.

“We definitely seek organizations that align with our mission, and those that serve the greater Columbia community,” Graham said.

This year’s initiative generated nearly $300,000 in donations and thousands of volunteer hours, supporting over 40 nonprofit organizations across the Midlands. The 2025 check recipients are:

To learn more about the Mungo Homes Foundation, visit mungo.com/giving-back.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS) - A $120 million manufacturing facility is coming to Orangeburg County, bringing hope to residents in an area that has struggled with high unemployment rates for years.

Sodecia and Aapico are partnering on the 400,000-square-foot plant that will produce ladder frames for Scout Motor vehicles. The facility will be the first development in the Tri-County Global Industrial Site off Chase Road near I-26.

The project will bring 392 jobs to the area.

“We need the jobs. People are in desperate need of jobs, good quality jobs,” said Ronnie Bennet, a resident.

Orangeburg County Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. said the county has battled high unemployment rates for years.

“It’s always been a struggle. We hope that this will lower our jobless rate,” Wright said.

The county’s unemployment rate sits at 7.0%, one of the highest in the state, according to USAFacts data.

Even with two colleges in the area, Bennet said students aren’t inclined to stay in the local job force.

Even with two colleges in the area, Bennet said students aren’t inclined to stay in the local job force.

“We do have students that come into the city, but there’s nothing to keep them here in regard to good quality jobs,” she said.

Ryan Decker with Scout Motors said the partnership could bring positive change with “more jobs, more investment, more partnerships, more opportunity.”

“The people deserve good quality jobs,” Bennet said.

Construction on the facility is expected to be complete by 2027. Project leaders said they plan to fully staff the plant in the next five years.

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