A business that manufactures electric vehicles will be rolling into Aiken.
During Aiken County Council’s meeting Tuesday, the panel unanimously approved the third and final readings of two ordinances that provide tax incentives to the Columbia Vehicle Group Inc. and Nordic Equity LLC.
The votes followed public hearings on both ordinances.
Columbia’s products “are built for work in industrial and commercial environments and engineer solutions that enhance productivity, comfort and utility,” according to the company’s website. “Columbia’s vehicles optimize performance in transporting, carrying and towing — with zero admissions.”
The company’s line of vehicles includes the Utilitruck, Journeyman, Payloader, Payloader Pro and Expediter models.
Columbia also manufactures custom vehicles that are designed to meet the specific needs of customers.
The company’s headquarters is in Wisconsin, and its history dates back to 1946.
The site of Columbia’s local manufacturing operation will be a 154,480-square-foot industrial building at 2063 University Parkway.
In January, attorney Benjamin F. McElreath “as exchange accommodation titleholder for NE Aiken LLC” purchased the single-story structure and the 25 acres on which it stands for $5.4 million, according to Aiken County land records.
McElreath is a Hull Barrett partner who works in the law firm’s office in Evans, Georgia.
Fenix Manufacturing Solutions LLC was the seller.
The estimated cost of Columbia Vehicle and Nordic Equity’s effort to establish a manufacturing operation in Aiken is $12,235,000 over five years.
Will Williams, president and CEO of the Western SC Economic Development Partnership, told County Council that Columbia would be “upfitting” the University Parkway building and hiring approximately 150 employees in this area “over a period of time.”
He described the products manufactured by Columbia as “non-road vehicles.”
Columbia and Nordic Equity’s economic development effort previously was identified in County Council documents as Project Charge.
For more information on Columbia, visit columbiavehicles.com, send an email to info@columbiausa.com or call 800-222-4653.
County Council’s meeting was held at the Aiken County Government Center, and all nine members of the panel were present.
In other action, County Council unanimously approved a resolution that authorizes the county to purchase an ambulance from Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus Inc. for $376,187 using Capital Project Sales Tax IV proceeds.
The vehicle will replace an ambulance that was heavily damaged in a March 1 traffic accident on Hitchcock Parkway in Aiken.
A 2010 Honda Civic driven by 33-year-old Isaiah Johnson of Aiken crossed the center line and collided with the ambulance, which was traveling in the opposite direction.
Johnson, who was the Honda Civic’s sole occupant, died at the scene from injuries suffered during the collision.
A 2024 GMC Yukon also was involved in the accident.
The Aiken Standard reported that five people were transported to a hospital to receive medical attention. They included the ambulance’s three occupants: the driver, an attendant and a patient.
According to the resolution, the ambulance, a 2016 Dodge Ram 4500 was “inoperable” and “a total loss” following the accident.
Spartan Fire and Emergency Apparatus’ headquarters is in Roebuck, which is in Spartanburg County.
