Santee Cooper Named Top Utility by Business Facilities
MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Business Facilities magazine named Santee Cooper one of its Top Utilities, noting that the power provider did much more for South Carolina than provide energy. Business Facilities cited a range of economic development programs and incentives, the utility’s leaner and greener resource plan, and the development of next-generation commerce park Camp Hall as reasons why Santee Cooper earned the honor.
“Santee Cooper employees work hard to make South Carolina better in a number of ways, and we are pleased that Business Facilities recognized Santee Cooper as one of its Top Utilities," said Pamela Williams, Santee Cooper Chief Public Affairs Officer and General Counsel.
According to Business Facilities, The Top Utilities “were selected based on several factors, and the list covers an assortment of local players, multi-state entities, and membership organizations. These power providers are among the most successful in offering innovative programs and expert assistance to attract businesses that need to build a warehouse, break ground on a factory, or add a headquarters campus.”
Santee Cooper offers a range of economic development programs and incentives. In 2021 alone, Santee Cooper provided site-development loans, grants and other support to state and local governments, electric cooperatives, and other organizations across the state and, along with these organizations, helped to attract more than 2,300 jobs and $1.4 billion in economic development investment last year. Santee Cooper has also developed a broadband program to support providers in achieving a statewide rollout to unserved areas.
In addition, development of new industrial buildings and construction of various amenities are currently underway at Santee Cooper’s Camp Hall next-generation commerce park. In 2021, Portman Industrial, Magnus Development Partners and RealtyLink announced purchases at Camp Hall. Construction of sports fields, a park, pathways and landscaping, all aimed at
helping employees improve work-life balance, has also been taking place at Camp Hall's center, Avian Commons. Lee & Associates, a commercial real estate firm, will lead retail parcel sales there.
As part of its leaner, greener resource plan, Santee Cooper is transforming its generation mix, with plans to add up to 1,500 MW of solar, up to 200 MW of battery storage, and conservation. Santee Cooper put that plan into motion, working alongside its largest customer, Central Electric Power Cooperative, to each contract for its share of 425 MW of new solar power, which should be on the system by late 2023.
