Pattillo Industrial Real Estate Announces New Development at Anderson Gateway Commerce Center – Anderson County South Carolina

Report on the Anderson Gateway Commerce Center Development and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview

Atlanta-based developer Pattillo Industrial Real Estate has announced the development of the Anderson Gateway Commerce Center in Anderson County, South Carolina. This project represents a significant investment in regional infrastructure and aligns with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The development plan includes two phases:

1. A 248,000 square-foot Class A industrial building designed to accommodate diverse industrial needs from 50,000 SF to 248,000 SF.
2. An adjacent, prepared site for a time-sensitive, build-to-suit industrial facility of up to 248,000 SF.

Construction is scheduled to commence immediately, with the initial building slated for delivery in the fall of 2026.

Contribution to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Anderson Gateway Commerce Center is poised to make a substantial contribution to sustainable economic growth in the Upstate region. The project directly supports the objectives of SDG 8 by:

• Promoting Job Creation: The development is explicitly intended to support job growth and create employment opportunities for local citizens, as stated by both the developer and Anderson County officials.
• Encouraging Investment: This project will drive additional capital investment into the region, fostering a robust economic environment.
• Supporting Productive Activities: By providing high-quality industrial space for advanced manufacturing, light assembly, and logistics, the center will attract world-class companies and enhance the county’s economic productivity.

Alignment with SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The development serves as a critical piece of modern industrial infrastructure, directly aligning with the goals of SDG 9. Its strategic design and location foster innovation and sustainable industrialization.

• Resilient Infrastructure: The facility is a Class A building, designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality, efficient industrial space.
• Strategic Location: Situated at I-85 Exit 40, the center offers immediate access to major transportation corridors, connecting Anderson County to key economic markets such as Greenville/Spartanburg, Charlotte, and Atlanta, thereby enhancing regional trade and connectivity.
• Fostering Industrialization: The project provides the necessary infrastructure to attract and support diverse industries, magnifying the county’s strategy for economic development.

Support for SDG 7 & SDG 11: Sustainable Energy and Communities

The Anderson Gateway Commerce Center incorporates features that promote energy efficiency and contribute to the development of sustainable communities, in line with SDGs 7 and 11.

Building Specifications and Sustainable Features:

• Energy Efficiency (SDG 7): The inclusion of LED warehouse lighting demonstrates a commitment to utilizing energy-efficient technologies, reducing the facility’s overall energy consumption and carbon footprint.
• Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): By addressing the shortage of available industrial space, the project provides planned, dedicated zones for economic activity. This supports organized community growth and provides stable career opportunities, making the community more resilient and sustainable.
• Modern and Safe Design: The building will feature a 32’ clear height, a rear load configuration, an ESFR sprinkler system for safety, and integrated office space, ensuring a modern, safe, and efficient operational environment.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article directly addresses this goal by focusing on economic development and job creation. The project is explicitly designed to “support job growth and employment opportunities for its citizens” and to “drive additional capital investment in the region.” This aligns with the SDG’s aim to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • This goal is central to the article, which details the “development of a Class A 248,000 square-foot industrial building.” This new construction is a form of building resilient infrastructure to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization. The facility is intended to accommodate “advanced manufacturing, light assembly, and logistics operations,” thereby fostering industrial growth and innovation in Anderson County.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The project contributes to this goal by strengthening the local economy of Anderson County, which is a key component of creating sustainable communities. The article notes that the development reflects the “momentum we are seeing across Anderson County” and magnifies the “county’s strategy to attract world-class companies,” indicating a planned approach to regional economic development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The facility is designed for “advanced manufacturing, light assembly, and logistics operations,” which promotes economic diversification and productivity in the region.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, and entrepreneurship. The project’s stated commitment to “support job growth and employment opportunities” is a direct reflection of this target.

2. Targets under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure to support economic development. The construction of a “Class A 248,000 square-foot industrial building” is a direct action toward fulfilling this target by creating high-quality economic infrastructure.
   • Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization. By providing space for “advanced manufacturing” and attracting “world-class companies,” the project fosters industrialization in Anderson County.
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. The inclusion of “LED warehouse lighting” is a specific example of upgrading infrastructure with more resource-efficient technology.

3. Targets under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning. The project is a result of a regional strategy, as stated by the Anderson County Council Chairman, to provide “career opportunities for our citizens” and “attract world-class companies,” thereby strengthening regional development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 8

   • Number of jobs created: The article implies this indicator through its commitment to “support job growth and employment opportunities for its citizens.” The number of new jobs would be a direct measure of progress.
   • Amount of capital investment: The goal to “drive additional capital investment in the region” suggests that the total value of the project and any subsequent investments could be used as an indicator.

2. Indicators for SDG 9

   • New infrastructure developed: The “248,000 square-foot industrial building” and the adjacent site prepared for another “248,000 SF” serve as a quantitative indicator of new industrial infrastructure.
   • Adoption of efficient technologies: The specific mention of “LED warehouse lighting” can be used as an indicator for the adoption of more sustainable and efficient technologies in new industrial buildings.
   • Number and type of companies attracted: The success in attracting “world-class companies” for “advanced manufacturing, light assembly, and logistics operations” would serve as an indicator of successful industrialization.

3. Indicators for SDG 11

   • Implementation of regional development strategies: The “Anderson Gateway Commerce Center” project itself is a tangible indicator that the county’s “strategy to attract world-class companies” is being implemented.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: andersoncountysc.org