Jafza says economy won't stop $600 million project

By GENE ZALESKI, T&D Staff WriterThursday, November 13, 2008

While the U.S. economy continues to struggle, a Dubai-based company says it will proceed with plans to develop its $600 million Jafza-South Carolina Logistics/Industrial Park.

Speaking to hundreds gathered Wednesday for the Orangeburg County Economic Development Summit, Jafza-South Carolina Vice President Steven Eames conceded the company faces a challenge from the current economic climate.

"It has made all our clients restrict their spending. However, we are long-term investors. We remain confident that this is an opportunity to position South Carolina and ourselves for the upturn," he said.

During the summit, Eames provided additional details about the project that speakers called a "game-changer" for the area. The 1,322-acre, five-phase park near Santee will include light manufacturing, light industrial space, a public intermodal facility, a truck plaza, warehousing and mixed-use offices and commercial uses.

Jafza estimates the project could create about 3,700 direct jobs in the county over the next 12 years, including clerical, managerial, food service and transportation jobs. In addition, Eames said the project could create 1,500 indirect spin-off jobs in the state by 2020.

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