When a county attracts $3.5 billion in manufacturing investment in a single year, the infrastructure has to keep up. Spartanburg County’s road network, particularly I-85, is getting attention from SCDOT with active construction and a comprehensive corridor study launching in 2026. Plus, the Inland Port Greer expansion gives manufacturers direct rail access to the Port of Charleston without trucking containers 200 miles to the coast.
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Dual corridor advantage: I-85 and I-26 give Spartanburg flexibility for regional access. Both corridors support different logistics patterns. -
Manufacturing infrastructure: Industrial access roads and rail improvements are directly supporting manufacturing operations and supply chain logistics. -
Port of Charleston access: I-26 improvements to Charleston Port make Spartanburg competitive for port-dependent distribution operations. -
Greenville spillover effect: As Greenville market saturates, Spartanburg captures overflow from improved interregional access.
I-85 projects
| Project | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| MM 77-98 widening (Cherokee County) | Under construction | 4 to 6 lanes, 21 miles |
| I-85 Corridor Study | Launching 2026 | Anderson to Spartanburg, full planning study |
| MM 40-69 widening (Greenville-Spartanburg) | Postponed to 2030 | 4th lane each direction, interchange upgrades |
| US-176 interchange improvements | Planning | Connecting I-85 to downtown Spartanburg |
The active I-85 widening between mile markers 77 and 98 adds a third lane in each direction through Cherokee County, near where First Solar is building its $330 million, 600-job manufacturing plant. That’s 21 miles of improved capacity feeding into the Spartanburg industrial corridor. When your fastest-growing submarket gets six lanes, it sends a message to companies evaluating the area.
Spartanburg Infrastructure Scorecard
Evaluate Spartanburg property against infrastructure and manufacturing factors:
- I-85 and I-26 positioning: Dual interstate access supports regional logistics and manufacturing
- Industrial access roads: Secondary roads being improved for industrial operations throughout the county
- Rail intermodal capabilities: Rail upgrades supporting manufacturing and distribution operations
- Charleston Port access: I-26 to Port of Charleston creates distribution and logistics opportunity
The comprehensive I-85 Corridor Study launching in 2026 will evaluate the entire stretch from Anderson through Greenville and Spartanburg, identifying solutions for current and future traffic issues. With BMW, Michelin, and dozens of suppliers generating heavy truck traffic daily, this study is overdue. The results will shape SCDOT’s capital plan for the next 20 years.
The core widening between exits 40 and 69 (Greenville to Spartanburg) was pushed to 2030, which is frustrating for businesses dealing with congestion now. But the delay means the 2026 study can inform a more comprehensive solution rather than a piecemeal fix.
Inland Port Greer: $55 million expansion
SC Ports completed a $55 million expansion of Inland Port Greer in 2025. The expansion increased cargo capacity by 50% and added 9,000 feet of rail. For Spartanburg manufacturers, this is a critical piece of infrastructure. Inland Port Greer provides a rail connection to the Port of Charleston via Norfolk Southern, eliminating the need to truck containers 200+ miles.
BMW alone ships thousands of vehicles and containers through Inland Port Greer. When you add Woodward, AIRSYS, and the 40+ BMW suppliers — all generating inbound and outbound freight — the 50% capacity increase was essential. As detailed in our Spartanburg growth drivers article, this county attracted $3.5 billion in investment in 2025, and all of that investment generates freight.
Downtown Spartanburg redevelopment
Downtown Spartanburg has seen significant revitalization over the past decade, with the Morgan Square district, new hotels, restaurants, and office space. The city invested in streetscape improvements, parking structures, and public space upgrades. While not highway-scale infrastructure, downtown investment improves quality of life, which helps employers attract workers — which drives demand for commercial space.
Utility and water infrastructure
Spartanburg Water System (SWS) and Spartanburg Sanitary Sewer District are investing in capacity upgrades to support manufacturing growth. When companies like Woodward ($200M plant) and AIRSYS ($40M facility) build in the county, they need reliable industrial water and sewer service. These utility investments are often invisible but essential.
Impact on property owners
The Spartanburg industrial market depends on I-85 for its survival. Every widening project and interchange improvement makes the corridor more attractive to manufacturers and distributors. The Inland Port expansion reduces logistics costs for companies already here and attracts new ones.
If you own commercial property in Spartanburg County, the infrastructure investment matches the manufacturing investment. The state is building the roads and rail to support $3.5 billion in new business. That’s a strong story for property values — and buyers know it.
Seller takeaway
Spartanburg infrastructure is enabling the $3.5B manufacturing investment pipeline. I-85 and I-26 improvements are confirmed capital projects. Call Roth Capital at 704-600-3839 to discuss your Spartanburg property and its position relative to industrial corridors and manufacturing growth.
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