Which type of divorce is best? Should I get a no-fault divorce?

Woodruff, S.C. The BMW Group took a major step on Tuesday towards building electric vehicles in the United States as it broke ground for a new high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. Named “Plant Woodruff,” the BMW facility will produce sixth-generation batteries to supply fully electric vehicles at nearby BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg. More than 300 jobs will be created onsite at Plant Woodruff with the opportunity to grow.

“We're making the BMW Group electric. Our new battery assembly plant in Woodruff will soon play an important role in our electric future here in the USA,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Human Resources and Real Estate. “Through the Woodruff plant, we expand our footprint in the state of South Carolina. At the same time, we are taking our associates with us in this transformation. Our new Technical Training Center at the Spartanburg plant will prepare our 11,000 associates for the future. In this way, we are taking responsibility as a reliable employer and offer future-proof jobs at the same time.”

“Today’s groundbreaking is the start of a new era at Plant Spartanburg as we prepare to produce fully electric BMW X models for the world,” said Dr. Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing. “The road to the future begins here in Woodruff as we build on our legacy of producing high-quality vehicles right here in the U.S. Plant Woodruff will be state-of-the-art in terms of sustainability, flexibility, and digitalization.”

Last October, BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse announced a new $1.7 billion investment in its U.S. operations, including $1 billion to prepare Plant Spartanburg for the production of fully electric vehicles and $700 million to build a new high-voltage battery assembly plant. The Woodruff facility, located on 315 acres near the city, will be more than one million square feet in size that includes construction of a technology building and support buildings such as a cafeteria, fire department, and energy center.

“I am proud to celebrate BMW’s groundbreaking for Plant Woodruff. This new high-voltage battery assembly factory once again proves that South Carolina is a leader in the EV industry and furthers our reputation as an automotive powerhouse,” said Governor Henry McMaster. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with BMW as they continue to help move South Carolina forward.”

“BMW continuously recognizes the many possibilities of doing business in South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III. “The company’s innovation, fueled by the highly skilled workforce that our state provides, means Plant Woodruff will help drive future growth that will impact the entire state. Congratulations, BMW!”

BMW Group’s “Local for Local” Principle

As part of the BMW Group’s “local for local” approach, the company will purchase battery cells for its electric vehicles from partner AESC, which is building a new 30 GWh battery cell factory in Florence, South Carolina, with BMW as its first customer. AESC broke ground for its new plant on June 7. They will produce newly developed round lithium-ion battery cells, specifically designed for the sixth generation of BMW eDrive technology. The new battery format will increase energy density by more than 20 percent and improve charging speed and range by up to 30 percent. At the same time, CO₂ emissions from cell production will be reduced by up to 60 percent through the partial use of secondary lithium, cobalt, and nickel material, as well as renewable energy for production.

Battery cells produced at the AESC facility in Florence will be shipped to Plant Woodruff, where the cells will be used to manufacture batteries for fully electric BMW X models at Plant Spartanburg. By 2030, Plant Spartanburg will build at least six fully electric BMWs.

Upskilling the BMW Workforce.

The new BMW Technical Training Center (TTC), which opened in October, will play a critical role in preparing associates to build fully electric vehicles. Plant Spartanburg already produces three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – the BMW X3 xDrive30e, BMW X5 xDrive50e, and the BMW XM – and several hundred associates already have EV training. The TTC will be at the center of all EV training for North and South America to ensure associates master the skills to set new industry standards.

“Our job is to put together a toolbox for our associates that will be the foundation for a full and satisfying career at BMW,” said Sherry McCraw, vice president of Human Resources. “We must capitalize on our team’s existing skill sets, support them with the appropriate training, and ensure they are well equipped for the EV journey ahead.”

Using Sustainable Methods at Plant Woodruff

The BMW Group’s philosophy of promoting sustainability in all its facilities will be promoted at the Woodruff plant as well. This was important in the building’s design and use of equipment. Some of the innovations include:

Since 1992, the BMW Group has invested nearly $12.4 billion in its South Carolina operations. BMW Manufacturing is the largest BMW Group plant in the world, producing more than 1,500 vehicles each day. The plant is an important part of BMW’s global production network and plays a critical role in meeting the high demand for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles and Coupes in the U.S. and around the world. Nearly 60 percent of its vehicles are shipped to about 120 global markets, making BMW the largest automotive exporter by value in the United States for nine consecutive years. In 2022, approximately 60 percent of BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. came from Plant Spartanburg. The model portfolio includes six top-selling BMW X models, five Motorsport X models, and three plug-in hybrid electric vehicle X models. The factory has an annual production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles and employs more than 11,000 people.

Question 1: Can you provide an update on the status of the SC 146 (Woodruff Road) Safety Improvements Project in Greenville County? Is construction still on schedule to begin later this year?

Question 2: Could you please provide an update on the road widening project on Woodruff Road in Five Forks? It seems like weeks or months have passed with very little visible progress, and the project is long past due for completion. The traffic delays are torture to those of us who live or commute through here.

Answers: In response to the first question regarding the Woodruff Road Safety Improvement Project, contractors will start bidding on that work on October 1.

If the bid is awarded in October, a preconstruction conference and Notice to Proceed may be issued in November, state Department of Transportation spokesman Pete Poore said in an email. The contractor’s schedule, and local weather, will determine when construction will begin, he said.

“We’ll have a better idea of the construction start date after the contract award and preconstruction conference," Poore said.

For those unfamiliar with the planned Safety Improvement Project, the focus will be on Woodruff Road from Roper Mountain Road to Bagwell Road.

The improvements planned include the installation of concrete medians in areas with high frequency of angle crashes, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, crosswalks, and countdown pedestrian signals at signalized intersections as well as upgraded signal equipment and intersection operations to improve safety.

Regarding the second question, about the widening of Woodruff Road between Scuffletown Road and Bennetts Bridge Road, or State 296, that work is slated for completion next month.

Poore told The Greenville News in December 2020 that the project should be completed in November 2021. In October 2021, he said the project had experienced "an extraordinary number of underground utility conflicts. "

But, weather permitting, it is now scheduled to be completed this October. Poore said concrete work has been ongoing for several weeks, with the contractor on site performing work daily. Paving of the final asphalt surface was set to begin last week.

Do you have a question you want answered? Send it to me at davisal@gannett.com or via mail to Angelia Davis, 32 E. Broad St., Greenville SC, 29601.

BMW Group broke ground Tuesday, June 27, on a new $700 million, high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff.

The plant will produce battery assemblies for BMW's fully electric vehicles made at Plant Spartanburg.

The new 1 million-square-foot facility, located on a 315-acre former peach farm along S.C. Highway 101, is expected to be operational by 2026. The facility will include a cafeteria, fire department and energy center.

More than 300 jobs are expected to be created at Plant Woodruff, according to BMW.

McMaster, BMW executives speak at Plant Woodruff groundbreaking

BMW executives and South Carolina dignitaries spoke at the groundbreaking including Robert Engelhorn, president and CEO of BMW Manufacturing; Gov. Henry McMaster; Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey and Ilka Horstmeier of BMW AG's Board of Management. Other speakers included U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-4th District; Spartanburg County Councilman Manning Lynch; and Woodruff Mayor Kenneth Gist.

"We are breaking ground for our future," Engelhorn said. "Our work at BMW drives our legacy and builds our future. This is what will drive Plant Woodruff."

Lynch said, "BMW's ongoing commitment is evident, and has made a tremendously positive impact on Spartanburg County."

Gist said, "Today we break ground on a facility that will be transformative to our city. We are a very passionate community with a rich past. But make no mistake, we are ready for the future."

Last October, Germany-based BMW Group announced a $1.7 billion capital investment to begin building all-electric vehicles for the U.S. and world markets at its North America manufacturing plant near Greer in Spartanburg County.

The investment includes $1 billion to prepare the Spartanburg plant for production and $700 million to build a high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff.

BMW plans to manufacture plug-in hybrids, 'highly efficient' vehicles

At the October announcement, BMW Group Chairman Oliver Zipse said BMW plans to continue to manufacture plug-in hybrids and "highly efficient" combustion engine vehicles as well.

Zipse said BMW also entered a multi-year partnership with Japan-based Envision AESC to build a new 1.5 million-square-foot battery cell plant in Florence County. Groundbreaking for the Florence County plant was held on June 7. Production is expected to start in 2026 and add 1,170 new jobs.

Also last October, the new $20 million BMW Technical Training Center opened, where BMW employees are being trained to build fully electric vehicles.

On Tuesday, Engelhorn said battery cells produced at the AESC facility in Florence will be shipped to Plant Woodruff, where the cells will be used in battery assemblies for the fully electric BMW X models at Plant Spartanburg.

BMW: Plant Woodruff will use 100% green electricity

The battery cells to be produced by Envision AESC at its Florence plant will be designed to increase energy density by more than 20% and improve charging speed and range by up to 30%, according to BMW. At the same time, carbon dioxide emissions from cell production will be reduced by up to 60% through the partial use of secondary lithium, cobalt and nickel.

Plant Woodruff will be operated without fossil fuels and will use 100% green electricity with the installation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic system, according to Engelhorn. Carbon dioxide emissions per vehicle across the life cycle will fall by 40% by 2030, according to BMW.

The Woodruff plant will also use LED lighting and sensors with dimming to reduce energy consumption, as well as harvest and use rainwater to reduce water consumption.

Plant Spartanburg already produces three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – the BMW X3 xDrive30e; BMW X5 xDrive50e; and the BMW XM.

Last year, about 60% of BMW vehicles sold in the U.S. came from Plant Spartanburg. The factory employs more than 11,000 people and has a production capacity of up to 450,000 vehicles a year.

BMW Manufacturing is a subsidiary of BMW AG in Munich, Germany, and is the global producer of the BMW X3, X3 M, X5, X5 M and X7 sports activity vehicles; the BMW X4, X4 M, X6 and X6 M sports activity coupes, and the all-new XM.

This story has been updated to clarify that the road fee revenue bond would be issued to replenish the county's genral fund balance after financing its portion of the Woodruff Road bypass project last year.

Greenville County Council's finance committee advanced a proposal to use road fee revenue bonds to replenish the county's general fund balance at its meeting on Monday, March 27, after using general fund money last fall to finance its portion of the $121 million Woodruff Road Congestion Relief Project.

If passed by County Council, Greenville County would then issue up to $31 million in bonds, which will be paid back from revenue generated by the county's road fees, according to county documents.

The county already distributed its funds for the project to the South Carolina State Infrastructure Bank last year, Finance Committee Chair Butch Kirven told The Greenville News on Friday, March 24. The revenue bonds currently under consideration, he said, would be used help the county pay itself back.

County Administrator Joe Kernell further explained at Monday's committee meeting that the county financed its portion of the project using cash from its general fund, and the bonds would be used help the county replenish that general fund balance "to the tune of about 2.2 million per year over the next 20 years."

The project was passed by County Council in December 2021, and has been a topic of discussion since 2011. The bypass has been GPATS top priority since 2013, Kirven previously told The Greenville News in 2021.

Before its passage, there were fears from some council members in Nov. 2021 that the project could potentially be denied by the county's finance committee, which had built a reputation at the time as the "kill committee," for voting down — or killing — multiple projects.

The new bypass will add a new roadway with four travel lanes roughly parallel to Woodruff Road to relieve traffic congestion near Verdae Boulevard, I-85 and I-385.

Construction is tentatively set to begin in 2026, according to the South Carolina Department of Transportation.

The bypass will be jointly funded by the county, the Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study and the South Carolina State Infrastructure Bank. The News previously reported the cost breakdown between the three entities:

The proposed bond, if passed by County Council, would be required to be fully paid back by Dec. 31, 2048, if not sooner, with a net interest rate not to exceed 7%, according to county documents.

Raymond James & Associates is the bond's underwriter, meaning the company will sell the bond to investors.

Greenville County currently holds a AAA bond rating, the highest possible rating that may be assigned to an issuer's bonds by major credit-rating agencies. This rating, Kernell said Monday, will help the county when issuing the bonds.

The bond issuance would require three passing votes by County Council before going into effect.

City reporter Macon Atkinson contributed to this report.

− Tim Carlin covers county government, growth and development for The Greenville News. Follow him on Twitter@timcarlin_, and get in touch with him atTCarlin@gannett.com.

WOODRUFF — When it incorporated in 1874, the city of Woodruff’s population was under 200 and its economy relied on farming.

At 150, it’s changed. It became a center of trade after the railroad was built, then saw industry grow. The latest major news is BMW Group building a $700 million high-voltage battery assembly plant off S.C. Highway 101, which will create 300 jobs.

And Woodruff now has about 5,000 residents, with 4,000 houses scheduled to be built as it prepares to have 18,000 people by 2029.

To celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary, a time capsule will be buried at McKinney Park on East Pine Street near downtown during a ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. on June 28. The night will include live music and fireworks.

Spartanburg Business

Woodruff City Administrator Lee Bailey said the time capsule will be opened in 2074. A monument at the site will mark the time capsule’s location.

“We tried to come up with something as part of the 150th anniversary celebration and thought it would be really cool to do a time capsule,” Bailey said. “The time capsule will be inside a round fiberglass enclosure. It’s going to contain this year’s fiscal budget, our current land use zoning ordinance, maps of the current city limits, photos of downtown from the 1920s, old newspaper articles and memorabilia from BMW.”

The time capsule will also include aerial photos of the city’s downtown from 2024 and information about the new Woodruff High School currently under construction.

Two Woodruff natives — Toni Sloan and Kenneth Gist — have spent most of their lives in the city.

Sloan has served as a member of Woodruff City Council for the past 18 years. Gist was first elected to council in 2002 and was later elected the city’s mayor in 2012 where he continues to serve. They are excited to soon celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary.

Gist can remember a time when the city’s economy was bleak — like when two textile plants closed in the 1990s — and there were few opportunities for advancement. Circumstances have changed. With the new BMW plant coming, Gist said it’ll help restart the area’s economy, which has drawn more interest from national retailers and developers.