York Electric is committed to promoting an improved quality of life. One way we do that is by taking a leadership role in encouraging economic development. We work closely with economic development professionals as well as local and state government agencies to provide a conduit for business locations and expansions of businesses that support our community.
YEC assisted with the location of Shutterfly, Inc. to York County. Shutterfly, the on-line photo book company, moved into the former United American Video building in Fort Mill. The company began operating in the summer of 2013 and currently employs 300 in its 318,000-square-foot facility. It also expects to create between 350 to 500 new jobs in the next five years. Power reliability is crucial to the film-processing and printing industry, and YEC is proud to add this company to its growing list of large accounts.
East York Industrial Park
The East York Industrial Park (EYIP) is a shining example of YEC’s commitment to bringing quality jobs and industries to its service area. The EYIP, established by YEC in 1989, is a 465-acre tract of prime industrial real estate. It offers businesses a convenient location and affordable prices with a full range of support services. The EYIP has created more than 800 jobs and $85 million in capital investment.
Since 2012, Centrex Plastics and Bluestar Silicones moved into existing buildings in the EYIP, and on Jan. 8, Silcotech North America Inc., a manufacturer of silicone component, broke ground. The company will invest $3.5 million in an injection molding plant that will employ as many as 50 people in three to five years. The planned 18,000-square-foot facility is expected to be operating by July.
Where we’re heading now
Having assisted with the addition of one speculative building located in Rock Hill, we are now moving forward with plans to build a second one in Western York County. A speculative building, or “spec. building” as they are commonly referred, is a facility that is built in hopes that a tenant will soon locate.
Many companies would rather move into an existing building as opposed to building a new one. Coroplast, a German company that makes adhesives for the automobile industry, recently purchased the first spec. building. With their fast time frame for production and proximity to Charlotte, this available facility on I-77 fit perfectly with their needs.
Projects such as this are just another example of ways YEC works to improve the quality of life by providing jobs and increasing the tax bases for our school districts.
Save the Date: We’ll give you the credit–for participating in your Cooperative’s Annual Meeting–a $15 electric bill credit! The Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, May 10th at York Electric’s main office in York. Each member who is present and registers will receive a $15 credit on their electric bill and have the opportunity to win valuable prizes. We look forward to seeing you there!
YEC will continue to focus on providing its members with reliable and affordable electric service. By maintaining a low-cost and abundant power supply backed by an active infrastructure and enhanced business recruitment plan, YEC plans to keep our service area a vital, powerful economic opportunity for business. Serving large commercial and industrial loads helps YEC hold down the cost of service for all members.
Paul Basha
President and Chief Executive Officer