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Though the Upstate has emerged as a cluster for the automotive industry, Bryson believes if there is a recurrent theme at Donaldson, it is advanced technology.
“We have chemical, advanced materials such as fibers and protective coatings and pharmaceutical. Even 3M’s dual manufacturing facility for both specialty film products and tape, has lots of patented technology,” Bryson said. The automotive industry is definitely represented with companies such as the one that applies protective coatings to car bumpers and side mirrors.
He chalks up the success of Donaldson Center to a basic principle of real estate: location, location, location.
“From a big picture standpoint, we are right in the heart of the boom belt,” he said, citing the park’s proximity to the interstate, and the Southern Connector, as well as to the railroad. “We are very competitive with rest of the country. For industrial, we would be right in the top 10, as we can handle very large aircraft.”
The one place Bryson said Donaldson Center doesn’t compete with is the Port of Charleston. “The potential is there for us to serve more Lowcountry businesses, just as the Port of Charleston serves the Upstate.” Bryson believes their challenge is same.
“Just as the port had to overcome the widespread misconception that it just served Charleston, so does Donaldson need to emerge from relative obscurity,” he said. “I see us as complementing what the port does, to provide another alternative for businesses. Recent discussions about state funding raised awareness about us. The debate was over where (the funds) would come from, not that we didn’t need them. That tells us that we are a statewide economic engine.”
Even though that economy has taken a hit recently and Bryson said the facility has seen a drop in the number of weekend flyers, he believes that air continues to be a viable alternative even with the rising cost of fuel.
“Companies are facing increased transport costs across the board: truck, rail or airfreight. For some companies it makes the most sense to use air,” he said. He cites the on-site fixed base operators (FBOs) that are available on demand to unload, refuel and handle basic maintenance, as well as the location. “From that perspective we stack up really well, and we will continue to be competitive even as fuel costs rise because of our infrastructure.”
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