News

On October 1, 2025, Greenville County made history as Isuzu Motors broke ground on their new $280 million, one-million-square-foot production facility on Augusta Road in Piedmont. This major investment will bring over 700 high-quality jobs to our community and reaffirm our place as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.

The day before the ceremony, I had the honor of attending a private dinner with Isuzu leadership, local officials, and community partners. During that gathering, I presented Chairman and CEO Masanori Katayama with a special gift, a handcrafted butterfly by Greenville artist Yuri Tsuzuki, who was born in Japan, but relocated to Greenville with her family in the 70’s She is responsible for the various butterflies you can find all over Greenville city, on sidewalks, in tress, and the park. Here is a portion of what I shared:

“A few years ago, Greenville was blessed by a project from Yuri, who imagined butterflies fluttering all across our city. The butterfly is a symbol of transformation, and Greenville has undergone an incredible transformation, from a textile community to what it is today. That same spirit of transformation is why we present this gift tonight. Like the butterfly, we believe your journey here will bring growth, beauty, and new beginnings. So, Mr. Katayama, to you and the Isuzu team, welcome to Greenville. We’re so glad you’ve landed here with us.”

The following morning’s groundbreaking was nothing short of extraordinary. As golden shovels turned the soil and cherry blossom trees were planted, a nod to new beginnings in Japanese culture, it was clear this moment represented far more than the start of construction. It was the beginning of a long-term partnership built on respect, shared values, and opportunity.

A Constellation of Leaders

The ceremony drew an impressive lineup of dignitaries: Governor Henry McMaster, who presented Chairman Katayama with South Carolina’s Honorary Sandlapper Award; Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey III, who praised our workforce and infrastructure; and Ambassador Shigeo Yamada of Japan, who celebrated the deep economic and cultural ties between our nations. Also in attendance were Barbara Melvin, President & CEO of SC Ports, who highlighted the importance of Inland Port Greer and our growing logistics network, and Max Stewart, President & CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC), along with the entire GADC Board, whose vision and persistence were instrumental in bringing this project to Greenville County.

Why Greenville? Why Now?

Isuzu made it clear why they chose Greenville County. The reason wasn’t incentives or location alone, it was our people. Greenville already has a strong, skilled workforce familiar with automotive and advanced manufacturing. This project isn’t about importing new residents or creating new burdens on housing and roads. It’s about providing opportunity for the people who are already here, those who live, work, and drive these roads every day.

I will expand on this further in the next section of the newsletter!

A National Spotlight on Greenville

This investment hasn’t just captured local attention, it’s part of a national story. During Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s recent visit to Washington, President Donald Trump cited Isuzu’s Greenville facility as a prime example of Japan’s renewed commitment to investing billions in the United States. It’s a powerful reminder that Greenville County isn’t just participating in the global economy, we’re helping lead it.

What’s Ahead

The new facility will be built on a 200-acre site and will assemble the N-Series Gas, N-Series Electric, and F-Series trucks, with operations expected to begin in 2027 and production capacity scaling toward 50,000 units per year later in the decade. That means sustained, skilled work for many years to come, not just a short-term construction boom, but long-term opportunity for local families.