In 2015, a company specializing in nonwoven fabrics announced it would establish its first North American operations in Laurens County. Because the company selected an existing building that was not served by public sewer, the local utility, Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission (LCWSC) secured grant funding from RIA ($324,500) and the US Economic Development Administration ($1.298M). These funds were used to construct the necessary wastewater infrastructure (including gravity sewer, force main and pump station) needed before operations could begin. The company committed to invest $17.6 million and create 80 jobs within five years of the grant award.