Orangeburg County, SC (Apr. 22, 2026) — Ferrara Candy Company has selected Orangeburg County for its first South Carolina operation, announcing a $675 million investment that is projected to create 1,000 new manufacturing and corporate jobs over the next 10 years.
The project marks one of the largest food manufacturing investments in recent South Carolina history and significantly expands the state’s position as a growing destination for consumer packaged goods and advanced manufacturing operations.
Headquartered in Chicago, Ferrara is a global leader in sugar confections with products sold in more than 60 countries. Its portfolio includes widely recognized brands such as NERDS, SweeTARTS, Laffy Taffy, Trolli, Brach’s and Jelly Belly.
Ferrara’s new facility will be located at Highway 21 and Rowesville Road in Orangeburg County. Plans call for construction of a 750,000-square-foot manufacturing campus that will include processing and packaging operations, warehousing for raw and packaging materials, and administrative office space.
The expansion is intended to meet strong consumer demand while increasing Ferrara’s production scale and long-term manufacturing capacity in North America.
Initial production lines at the new facility are expected to begin operating in the first quarter of 2029.
State officials approved a package of incentives to support the project, including up to $85 million in General Obligation State Economic Development Bonds for site acquisition, infrastructure improvements, and related development costs. Additional job development credits were also approved through the Coordinating Council for Economic Development.
Ferrara Chief Executive Officer Marco Capurso said the Orangeburg investment represents a major step in strengthening the company’s manufacturing capabilities and positioning Ferrara for long-term global growth.
Governor Henry McMaster called the announcement a transformative moment for both Orangeburg County and South Carolina, while state commerce leaders said the project will create new opportunities for workforce growth and long-term regional prosperity.
For Orangeburg County, the project adds another major international employer and reinforces the region’s attractiveness for large-scale industrial investment, workforce availability, and strategic Southeast market access.
