Norman USA and Critical Role have each leased half of the 64,000-square-foot industrial spec building in Beaufort County. Magnus completed the construction of the building, at 74 Schein Loop, in Summer of 2022.
“Statewide and regionally, there was a lack of confidence we could be successful in this type of diversification effort,” Beaufort Mayor Stephen Murray explain. “Buildings like this and projects like the one down the street are proof positive that we can be successful and this can be a place where industry and distribution in a type of job sector than we have typically seen in Beaufort can thrive.”
Norman USA manufacturers and distributes window treatments worldwide. Its site in Beaufort – its first on the East Coast – will be used for distribution of its products. Norman plans to begin production in October of 2022 and is expected to create 67 jobs over five years, investing an estimated $16.7 million.
Critical Role is a multiplatform video gaming company. They will use the facility to distribute merchandise related to its gaming sector.
“The addition of these two companies to the Beaufort Commerce Park demonstrates the City’s commitments to improving the park, from adding infrastructure to the construction of the Spec Building, is paying off,” Murray said. “We are determined, over time, to diversify our economy beyond the military and hospitality industry, so that young people can see a future for themselves and their families.”
“Getting a bonified developer to put their money down and make its case is what this proves,” said Executive Director John O’Toole of the Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation.
Magnus is proud of the success with the first speculative building and is currently in the engineering phase to build another 72,000-square-foot speculative building next to the first one.