[CHESTER COUNTY, S.C., July 12, 2021] – Last Step Recycling, LLC, an automotive shredder residue (ASR) company, today announced plans to establish operations in Chester County. The $46.4 million investment will create 50 new jobs.
Founded in 2019, Last Step Recycling, LLC processes ASR to capture metals such as copper, aluminum and other resources. These recycled metals are then used in appliances, automobiles and technology equipment across numerous industries.
“It’s exciting to see innovative companies continue to establish operations in our state,” Gov. Henry McMaster said. “We congratulate Last Step Recycling, LLC for their new facility in Chester County through this $46.4 million investment and the 50 new jobs it will create.”
Located in Chester Technology Park in Chester, Last Step Recycling, LLC’s new facility will recover sellable material from ASR that would normally go to a landfill. This green initiative will reduce waste and preserve natural resources.
“After looking at several states, we are excited to build our new facility in South Carolina. Both state and local officials stood out by showing us that they support our recycling initiative,” Last Step Recycling CEO Chip Shirley said. “The Last Step Recycling, LLC team is looking forward to bringing its long history of recycling to Chester County as we construct and operate our new proprietary processing facility.”
“Last Step Recycling, LLC will be creating 50 jobs in an area that was the former heart of the textile sector,” said Chester County Economic Development Director Robert Long. “Chester County has seen an 80 percent growth in manufacturing jobs since 2014; the most of any county in metro Charlotte. Highway 9 is becoming the industrial corridor for south Charlotte.”
The new facility is expected to be operational by July 2022. Last Step Recycling, LLC will begin hiring in the spring of 2022.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Chester County to assist with costs related to the project.
FIVE FAST FACTS
About Chester County Economic Development
Created by Chester County in 2004, Chester County Economic Development’s mission is to create an environment that supports existing industry expansion, encourages new industry investments, fosters entrepreneurialism, and welcomes visitation by others—all of which support the provision of public services and otherwise improves each citizen’s prosperity and overall quality of life. Over the past five years, CCED has been responsible for 12 announcements with $855.3 million in new capital investment and the creation of 1,151 jobs, including the E&J Gallo project that was announced in June 2021 that will invest $423 million and create 496 jobs.