The South Carolina rail system supports an estimated 339,700 jobs across the state, with the vast majority in businesses that use rail transportation. Each year, over $15.4 billion is paid in income with an output of $56.8 billion across the state. These rail-operations and rail-user impacts include the direct and multiplier impacts associated with firms that handle freight and rail-related services.
These combined services allow nearly 45 million tons of freight to move through South Carolina's 46 counties each year.
The South Carolina Department of Commerce promotes economic opportunity for individuals and businesses. From assisting with the location of new sites and buildings, offering grants for community development and infrastructure improvement, to providing workforce training, the Department of Commerce helps new and existing businesses grow.