Today, Mosdorfer announced it has selected Oconee County for its first North American operation, committing $44.55 million in investment and creating 107 new jobs.
That is exciting news for our community. But what excites me most is not just the number of jobs. It is the type of company choosing to invest in Oconee County.
Mosdorfer is a family owned company. In my experience, privately held companies often think differently than publicly traded corporations. They are more likely to focus on the long term, invest in their employees, and make decisions based on generations rather than quarterly earnings reports. After spending time with their leadership team, it became clear that Mosdorfer shares that mindset.
They have been thinking in terms of generations for more than three centuries.
The company traces its roots back to 1712, originally producing sabers before evolving into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of transmission line components and electrical infrastructure products. Companies do not survive for more than 300 years without a commitment to excellence, innovation, and long term planning.
That is exactly the kind of partner Oconee County needs as we build toward a future worthy of the next generation.
The announcement also highlights something I think about often as Chairman of the County Council.
Over the last forty years, Oconee County’s population has nearly doubled. Yet our school enrollment has remained around 10,000 students and has actually declined slightly in recent years. Too many of our young people graduate from high school, attend Tri County Technical College or a university, and then leave home because they cannot find the same opportunities here that they can find elsewhere.
That should concern all of us.
One of the reasons I sought public office was to help create the kind of economy where our children can build successful lives without feeling like they have to leave Oconee County to do it.
I want Oconee County to be a place where a young person can graduate from high school, learn a trade, earn a degree, start a business, build a career, buy a home, raise a family, and remain part of the community they love.
That is not simply a matter of economics. It is about preserving families, strengthening communities, and ensuring that future generations have the same opportunities that previous generations enjoyed.
Oconee County is blessed with tremendous wealth. Based on property values, we are the fifth wealthiest county in South Carolina. At the same time, nearly 70 percent of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch. That tells us there is still too much economic disparity in our community.
We have built a wonderful community for retirees. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, many retirees have contributed tremendously to the success of Oconee County.
But my vision is for Oconee County to be more than a retirement destination. I want it to be a place where our children and grandchildren can find good paying careers, buy homes, raise families, and stay close to the people they love.
That is why strategic economic development matters.
Not all growth is created equal.
Residential growth alone increases demands on roads, public safety, solid waste, and other services. Industrial development helps pay for those services. It broadens the tax base, creates high quality jobs, and reduces the pressure to shift costs onto homeowners.
That is why attracting the right industries remains one of this council’s top priorities.
The key phrase is “the right industries.”
I have never believed economic development should be pursued at any cost. The goal is not simply to chase growth or collect ribbon cuttings. The goal is to recruit companies that fit our community, provide stable employment, invest for the long term, and create opportunities for future generations.
Mosdorfer checks those boxes.
They are a stable, long established manufacturer serving one of the most essential industries in the world. Their products support the electric grid that powers our homes, businesses, hospitals, and economy. These are real jobs producing real products for a growing global market.
As County Council Vice Chairman Don Mize noted during today’s announcement, this is not a company dependent on government subsidies or passing trends. They serve a growing industry driven by real demand, and they have demonstrated an ability to adapt and thrive for more than 300 years.
That matters.
The future of Oconee County will not be secured by accident. It will be secured by making the right decisions today so the next generation has more opportunities tomorrow.
Today’s announcement is another step in that direction.
Matthew Durham
Chairman, Oconee County Council
District 2
