As the City of Greer looks toward 2026, economic development efforts will focus on sustaining momentum, continuing to develop and diversify our local economy, and laying the groundwork for long-term, balanced growth.
The City of Greer is a key driver in the Upstate and is expected to continue to attract new capital investment, new high-paying jobs, and new projects that enhance the quality of life of all who live and work in Greer. Although the pace of new construction may not match the unprecedented activity of the past 18 months, economic indicators show that the City of Greer can expect continued growth in 2026.
The City of Greer finished 2025 with an unemployment rate of approximately 4.3%. This tracks lower than the current unemployment rates in Greenville County (4.4%) and Spartanburg County (4.9%). Statewide, labor force participation is at 57.7% with more than 2.6 million people in the South Carolina workforce. This represents 18,000 more people entering the South Carolina workforce than the prior month and more than 51,000 people in the workforce compared to November 2024.
Nationally, new industrial construction starts were low – a trend that continued throughout the Upstate. However, Q3 and Q4 of 2025 showed significant positive absorption of available industrial product. The City of Greer closed 12 projects representing new industrial start-ups, relocations, and expansions. Highlighted by expansions of Aran USA, Ulta Beauty Distribution Center, and Alinable, the City of Greer recorded wins in a diverse set of business and industry classes including industrial manufacturing and distribution, professional office, and retail.
A familiar and positive trend continued for retail development in the City of Greer in 2025. Gross Retail Sales continued its steady growth topping $2 Billion in FY 2025 for the first time. This represents a 25% increase over the prior year nearly doubling the traditional 13% increase. New brand name retailers and restaurants opened their doors in Greer in 2025 like ACE Hardware, 7 Brew, and Tropical Grille.
Finally, new housing development remains strong for the City of Greer. The City closed out 2025 with 13 active subdivisions under construction, 335 platted lots, eight sites currently grading, four preliminary plats approved, eight subdivisions currently under civil plan review, and nearly 400 multi-family units preparing for certificate of occupancy.
The numbers tell a compelling story for the steady growth that the City of Greer enjoyed in 2025 and the opportunities that lie ahead in 2026. Major projects like the Greer Sports & Events Center will drive opportunities for hotels, restaurants, and retail. The Greer Inland Port continues to deliver new industrial and manufacturing projects, and the talent and breadth of our workforce continues to drive a diversification of the Greer economy with projects focusing on aerospace, carbon fiber, and advanced metal working in the pipeline.
