University officials announced May 24 that an unused portion of land owned by Charleston Southern University, designated for corporate and business development, will become the new site for the international corporate headquarters and showroom of American LaFrance. Plans also include their expanded, state-of-the art assembly facility – a $35 million complex.
Patriarch Partners, a New York investment firm, acquired American LaFrance – previously a Ladson-based emergency vehicle manufacturer – in December.
American LaFrance has built fire and rescue apparatus since 1832. Today the company manufactures and distributes a comprehensive line of fire and emergency apparatus, including chassis, aerials, ambulances, pumpers, rescues, tankers and wildland vehicles.
The American LaFrance operations employ more than 400 management and assembly positions. It is anticipated that at least 200 new jobs will be created in the coming years.
Remount Ventures LLC will construct the 57,500-square-foot corporate headquarters and showroom, using turn-of-the-century style architecture and the look of an historic fire station for their display of internationally renowned fire trucks. This headquarters building will be positioned on approximately eight acres on the western portion of the university campus, which is part of Charleston Southern’s new 60-acre medical/business park. The 420,000-square-foot assembly building will be constructed on approximately 35 acres at the northern end of the campus, under a 75-year land lease agreement.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Charleston Southern University,” said Bob Edwards, CSU chairman of trustees. “American LaFrance is a nationally regarded, top-quality emergency vehicle manufacturer. We are extremely pleased that they have chosen to relocate their world-class operation to Charleston Southern University’s business park.”
“Undoubtedly, this is a win-win situation for American LaFrance and for Charleston Southern,” said Ken Evans, executive committee member of Charleston Southern’s board of trustees and chairman of the board of directors for CIDCOR, which is overseeing the development of the medical/business park. “This exciting endeavor will link a leading manufacturer with an innovative, thriving university campus, in a mutually beneficial, highly efficient long-term relationship,” he added.
CIDCOR is also the parent company for Charleston Lodging Company LLC. In another project, the lodging company will own the Wingate Inn at Charleston Southern, a 100-room hotel that will be the first phase of the university’s medical/business park.
Charleston Southern president Jairy Hunter sees value in the opportunities for students that this American LaFrance deal will provide, and believes it will lead to the creation of new programs. “Revenue the university will receive from leasing and developing our excess property will be used for student scholarships and other university priorities,” Hunter said.