Personal Injury Attorney in Spartanburg, SC.

A national investment firm has pledged to open a $2.8 billion computing center in South Carolina’s Upstate.

NorthMark Strategies inked a deal with Spartanburg County to bring its supercomputing operations to a former Kohler manufacturing plant and warehouse.

“Of the more than 100 locations across the country we considered, Spartanburg stood out for its strong community, skilled workforce, dynamic economy and strategic advantages,” NorthMark Strategies President Jen Byrne said in a statement. “Our investment in this high-performance computing center solidifies our commitment to building for future growth and being prepared to meet the growing demand for (high performance computing) capabilities.”

The company plans to transform the facility into “one of the most advanced (high performance computing) facilities in the world, leveraging cutting-edge technology to support complex computational tasks in machine learning, data analytics, and complex systems modeling.”

The project, previously referred to publicly as “Project Moc-1” while the deal was negotiated, comes as South Carolina grapples with how to meet the energy needs of a growing population, manufacturing base and an influx of power heavy data centers.

These data centers, housing rows of servers, are focused on the storage of vast amount of data. High performance computing, on the other hand, is about analyzing large amounts of data, which would cause a typical computer to freeze up, at high speeds.

It can do this multiple ways, either with the use of a custom-built supercomputer or a cluster of individual computers all working together, to give the user more computing power than a standard, single computer. North Carolina State University, for example, offers one such cluster.

NorthMark’s clients turn to the company with their complex engineering problems. NorthMark’s computing centers power the company’s various simulation and artificial intelligence tools that its clients can use to design and troubleshoot whatever they need.

“We don’t just fund ideas — we help test, refine, and improve them,” according to NorthMark’s website.

“With NorthMark Strategies establishing operations in Spartanburg County, South Carolina continues to add to its already impressive technology industry. We celebrate this remarkable investment in the Upstate and all it will mean for our state and our people,” Secretary of Commerce Harry Lightsey said in a statement.

NorthMark’s center will be different from massive centers under construction by Google and Facebook parent company Meta in a second way.

Those centers each require hundreds of megawatts to operate.

But NorthMark will connect to a nearby natural gas pipeline and use the fuel to make its own power, County Councilman David Britt previously told the SC Daily Gazette. The center is not expected to use more energy than the site’s former tenant, Kohler, which closed in 2024 after 66 years.

While the reported investment figure is immense — the second largest single investment in state history — the company will employ just 27 full-time workers. NorthMark has not disclosed what these jobs will be or the potential salary for these positions.

To lure in the company, Spartanburg County offered a reduced property tax rate of 4% for 40 years.

By state law, manufacturers without such an arrangement pay a 6% rate. (Industrial property owners previously paid a 10.5% rate, but state laws passed in 2017 and 2022 effectively lowered it to 6%.)

The county also is offering special credits allowing the company to further buy down its tax bill — a $1.5 million annual credit for the first 20 years and $2 million for the 20 years after that.

NorthMark is not seeking any tax incentives or grants from the state, according to a company spokeswoman.

The company is renovating the facility in three phases, starting with a 350,000-square-foot former warehouse on site and ending with the former 500,000-square-foot manufacturing plant.

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SPARTANBURG — South Carolina’s second-largest single investment to date is coming to Spartanburg County.

NorthMark Strategies, through its subsidiary Valara Holdings, plans to transform a former manufacturing facility in the county into a high-performance computing center. The company is expected to invest $2.76 billion and create 27 full-time jobs.

The center at 4000 S. Pine St. will be one of the most advanced high-performance computing centers in the world, the company said. It will leverage “cutting-edge technology to support complex computational tasks in machine learning, data analytics, and complex systems modeling.”

Initial operations are expected to come online in the third quarter of 2026. The bulk of the investment will be spent on equipment for the center.

NorthMark Strategies looked at more than 100 locations and chose Spartanburg County. On Feb. 17, when the project was first announced but the company was still unnamed, Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt said the county was competing with another state for the project.

Jen Byrne, the president of NorthMark, said Spartanburg stood out for its “strong community, skilled workforce, dynamic economy and strategic advantages.” NorthMark Strategies is an investment firm based in the United States that combines “capital, innovation, and engineering to drive long-term value.”

“Our investment in this HPC (high-performance computing) facility solidifies our commitment to building for future growth and being prepared to meet the growing demand for HPC capabilities among our current and future investment partners head-on,” Byrne said.

The project will be designed to generate its own power needed for operations, meaning it won’t strain the community’s power grid. As data centers have come to South Carolina in recent years, debates have raged about how to handle the heavy strain they put on the grid. This project’s ability to self-generate power nullifies that concern.

Natural gas from an existing pipeline will fuel the center's generators. The center is not expected to draw much more energy than the site's former facility.

Spartanburg County Council members unanimously gave second reading approval to economic incentives for the project at a meeting on April 21. A final reading is needed before they are finalized.

The incentives would lower the company’s tax assessment ratio to 4 percent for the property for 40 years. A special source revenue credit agreement is also included that could be used to cover infrastructure costs.

The company will repurpose the former Kohler manufacturing facility for the high-performance computing center. Kohler announced the closing of its Spartanburg County facility in January 2024.

This investment is now the state’s second-largest single investment, only behind a $3.5 billion battery recycling site in Berkeley County from Redwood Materials.

Britt, county council vice chair and chairman of the economic development committee, emphasized the importance of the county's ability to use a fee-in-lieu agreement to land the company. He said it would not have come without the tax mechanism and called the investment a “game changer” for not only the Upstate but all of South Carolina.

“It is a great project, I'm really excited,” Britt said. “This is a great company that's going to be a good corporate citizen that doesn't tax our infrastructure.”

For months, there has been tantalizing discussion about a mystery company considering a $2.8 billion investment in Spartanburg.

On Monday evening, the company was named as Spartanburg County Council approved tax incentives for its plans to redevelop the old Kohler Co. factory on South Pine St.

NorthMark Strategies selected the site as the home of a future state-of-the-art high-performance computing center.

“Of the more than 100 locations across the country we considered, Spartanburg stood out for its strong community, skilled workforce, dynamic economy and strategic advantages,” said NorthMark President Jen Byrne in a prepared statement.

Byrne described NorthMark Strategies as “a leader in high-performance computing, driving innovation across artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced simulations.”

Following Monday’s meeting, David Britt, who chairs the council’s economic development committee, compared NorthMark’s investment in Spartanburg County to the 1992 announcement that BMW would locate its North American manufacturing facility in Greer.

“This is a statement that Spartanburg County and South Carolina are committed to technology and engineering in the way that the BMW plant let the world know that we could be a leader in the automotive industry,” Britt said.

In a news release, Gov. Henry McMaster added, "NorthMark Strategies' $2.8 billion investment is a milestone moment for Spartanburg County, and a clear reflection of the confidence companies have in our state. This project further positions South Carolina as a national leader in technology and innovation."

NorthMark won’t be a major employer in the county -- it is planning to hire 27 full-time staff members.

Britt stressed that these will be high-paying jobs.

He’s glad to see the Kohler plant, which closed in 2024, repurposed in a way that will boost the tax base. “It gives me a great feeling of satisfaction when we can repurpose a facility – like the old textile mills that have repurposed as apartments or retail,” he said.

Without NorthMark’s investment, he thinks the Kohler might have sat vacant “for years to come.”

The fee-in-lieu of taxes agreement approved by county council brings NorthMark’s property tax burden from the regular 10 percent level to four percent. “But they’re still going to pay a lot of property taxes,” Britt said.

The deal will provide a particular boost to Spartanburg County School District 7, which is home to the 271-acre Kohler property.

It will take a little more than a year for NorthMark Strategies to renovate and upfit the facility, Britt said. The project is expected to support between 400 and 600 engineering and construction jobs, and over the long term, contract with regional suppliers to provide maintenance and operations support.

The facility will generate its power and will house cutting-edge computing equipment to “enable the development of new algorithms, optimize performance, and explore groundbreaking applications across various industries,” according to a news release.

Britt said he expects NorthMark to be a good corporate citizen. “They didn’t come to us and ask, ‘What are you going to do for us?’” he said. “They asked about how they could ingrain themselves into the community.”

Company leaders have specifically talked about supporting STEM education and cultural programs, Britt said.

3-Time Academy of Country Music Award Winner, Cole Swindell, to Headline Concert at Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg on June 5th to Kickoff BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX.

APRIL 16th, 2025 – SPARTANBURG, SC – Country music fans in the Upstate are in for a treat this summer as Cole Swindell, the 3-time Academy of Country Music Award Winner and chart-topping artist, takes the stage for an unforgettable inaugural performance at Fifth Third Park, located at 300 W. Henry St. Spartanburg, SC, on June 5th, 2025. The concert marks the kickoff of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX and promises a night full of live music and celebration.

“We are pleased to bring this kickoff concert back for a fourth year and have Cole Swindell as our headliner this year,” said Bob Stegner, President of SCCI. “This tournament has become a cornerstone of the Upstate communities, and having an artist with Cole’s credentials join us for this special event elevates the experience for all involved. His performance will undoubtedly bring an added level of energy and enthusiasm to the weekend.”

“It’s a privilege to continue the tradition of kicking off the tournament weekend with a concert right here in Spartanburg. Having Cole Swindell as this year's main act reflects the energy and momentum we’ve been building, and we are so proud to bring this level of entertainment to our city,” said Todd Horne, SCCI Board of Directors. “This concert has become a signature part of the tournament festivities, and we look forward to adding an extra level of enthusiasm to this already highly anticipated weekend.”

Swindell, who most recently took home two major honors at the 2023 ACM Awards – Song of the Year and Single of the Year for his chart-topping hit "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," is no stranger to success in the country music scene. The singer-songwriter has built a reputation with his catchy tunes and heartfelt lyrics with an impressive catalog of hits, including fan favorites like "You Should Be Here" and his breakout track, "Chillin’ It," which earned him his first platinum certification.

With four studio albums already under his belt and a new studio album set for release in June 2025, Swindell has cemented his place as a successful singer and songwriter in the country music industry. Special guests James Radford Band and Gritty Flyright are joining Swindell, creating an entertaining lineup full of country music.

Home of the new Hub City Spartanburgers, Fifth Third Park officially opened its doors on April 1st, 2025. General Manager of the new minor league team, Tyson Jeffers, expressed his enthusiasm about Cole Swindell performing at the stadium. "We cannot wait to welcome Cole Swindell to Fifth Third Park for the inaugural concert as part of the tournament! This is a huge milestone for both the Hub City Spartanburgers and our vibrant community here in Spartanburg. Cole’s performance will be the perfect way to kick off this prestigious event, and we’re thrilled to provide fans with an unforgettable experience. Fifth Third Park is going to be an incredible venue for concerts like this, and we can’t wait to see everyone come together to celebrate the start of this weekend!"

In addition to headlining the concert, Swindell will also participate in the tournament, combining his love of music and golf for a weekend of entertainment and philanthropy.

Head to nightintheburg.com on Friday, April 18th at 10:00 AM EST to purchase your tickets and learn more about the concert. Don’t miss the chance to see Cole Swindell live in concert at Fifth Third Park on June 5th as part of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX.

Doors will open at 5:00 PM, and the music will start at 6:00 PM.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, reach out to Judson Conwell, Director of Corporate Partnerships & Assistant Tournament Director, at jconwell@sccharities.org or Kari Snyder, Director of Community Engagement & Sustainability, at ksnyder@sccharities.org

ABOUT COLE SWINDELL Cole Swindell is a multi-platinum-selling country music artist and songwriter who has taken the country music world by storm with his chart-topping hits and heartfelt performances. With 3 Academy of Country Music Awards including wins for Song of the Year and Single of the Year in 2023, and numerous other accolades, Swindell continues to rise as one of the leading voices in contemporary country music. His smash hits include "She Had Me at Heads Carolina," "You Should Be Here," and his debut smash hit "Chillin' It." Swindell is signed to Warner Music Nashville, where he will release his fifth studio album in June 2025.

ABOUT BMW CHARITY PRO-AM PRESENTED BY TD SYNNEX South Carolina Charities, Inc. (SCCI), the non-profit foundation of the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX, was created in order to showcase the beauty of Upstate South Carolina and the hospitality of its citizens to the world; to create an event that brings the Upstate a fun and entertaining week centered around professional athletes and world-renowned celebrities; and raise money and awareness for South Carolina charities. Since 2001, the tournament has awarded more than $17 million to numerous Upstate SC non-profit organizations, part of the PGA TOUR’s $3 billion raised for charity.

The BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by TD SYNNEX is the only tournament on the Korn Ferry Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with Korn Ferry Tour professionals in a three-day better-ball competition over two courses. Amateurs, celebrities, and professionals rotate between the two courses, Thornblade Club, and The Carolina Country Club on Thursday and Friday with the 12 lowest-scoring amateur teams, and four lowest-scoring celebrity teams advancing to play Saturday’s final round at Thornblade Club. The lowest 65 pros (and ties) will play on Saturday and Sunday at Thornblade Club.

The tournament draws an estimated 45,000 spectators, 35 percent of attendees at the event are visitors and 25% of those visitors stay in local overnight accommodations.

The 2024 economic impact study provided by Visit Greenville SC estimated that the tournament yielded more than 8.5 million in total output/impact for the region.

Inside: A solid list from local taco lovers- where you can find authentic tacos in Greenville, SC and across the Upstate.

Are you looking for tacos in Spartanburg, SC or tacos in Greenville, SC? We’re right there with you. We’re big taco fans around here, and we’ve tried several restaurants in Spartanburg and Greenville searching for that perfect taco. Here’s our list of authentic taco qualifications and restaurants where you can find them! Buen Provecho!

Check our list of the places readers say are their favorite Mexican Restaurants in Greenville

I recently saw where a national poll declared a fast-food chain as having the best tacos in the country. After some reflection, I realized that this poll result was (most likely) because of the fact that it’s a national chain with a location in every town. I also recently saw where that same chain won runner-up in the local newspaper’s Best Mexican Restaurant Category.

For this, there is no explanation. I can’t understand, or explain it.

That’s one of the many reasons I decided to seek out the best authentic taco in the Upstate. My search was also a quest to relive the tacos of my childhood. As a kid I spent quite a few weekends working at the flea market with my dad, enjoying tacos from a taco truck before it was a trendy thing.

My search in Spartanburg and Greenville is just beginning, but I have some places I’ve tried and some I’m excited to try.

What Makes an Authentic Taco

Before I get to the list, let me just clarify what an authentic taco means to me.

Where to Find Authentic Tacos in Greenville, SC

I love their tacos, but I also love the story behind this taco joint neatly tucked away next to the Reedy River. Jorge “Papi” Barrales worked his way up from dishwasher at Soby’s to having Carl Sobocinski, the owner of the Table 301 family of restaurants, invited him to work on a concept. The result is Papi’s Tacos and some of the yummiest authentic tacos you’ll find downtown.

If you stop in for their taco Tuesday happy hour, tacos are just $2 each. Pair your tacos with a cold horchata, Jamaica drink, or a Jarritos Mexican soda, and you have an instaworthy meal, with the beautiful Reedy River as the backdrop. My son and I like to have mother & son dates, catching a show at the Peace Center. This is our favorite pre-show meal.300 River Street, Suite 123, Greenville SC | 864.373.7274

New to the taco scene in Greenville is Chucho’s Taco Grill. They exploded onto the scene by offering the frequently sought-after quesa-birria tacos. The menu includes a great set of kid’s options too, as well as a drive-thru for contactless pickup. They have Greenville’s BEST Elote too if you like street corn. 3111 North Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 29609 | 864.568.5133

After this article was originally published, readers encouraged readers to head over to the Barnyard Flea market. I was told that the tacos sold from the stand there were insanely good. Guess what? They were right! Plus, due to the low overhead of being located at the flea market, the tacos are inexpensive. I made the mistake of mentioning the taco stand to my dad, a native of Mexico. Let’s say they were a hit. So much so that he was there every weekend eating tacos, weeks in a row. 2000 Highway 101 South, Greer

When you walk in, be prepared to hear the sounds of a telenovela on the TV in the corner. In my opinion, it just makes the experience all the better.

We usually order an assortment of tacos from the menu. They are cooked to order and while that happens you can help yourselves to the freshly made salsa, from the salsa bar. I usually grab a salsa selection and some of the pickled onion/jalapeno mix. Those are for the people who like the heat that makes your sinuses open up, and your eyes water. The tacos were served simply, Just the meat, onions & cilantro. It’s like heaven on a corn tortilla.

Make sure to get an authentic Mexican soda when you stop in. The Senoral Sangria is one of my favorite sodas and it’s non-alcoholic! If you’re planning on eating dinner there, go early. They say they close at eight, and they will politely make yours a to-go order if you get there too close to closing time. 3058 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Taylors | 864.991.8888

Dayna Lee is a Mexican-American transplant from Texas, and she’s bringing the flavors of her childhood to life with pop-ups around the Upstate! You can find her most nights at local breweries, offering up traditional items and fun and creative dishes, like her nachos with a flaming hot Cheeto base, “Flaming Hot Nacheetos”. Follow Comal 864 on Instagram to see where they will be slingin’ tacos next.

Although the tacos at here come with melted queso in them, I think they still warrant being on the list. The tacos here are served in a boat with meat piled high, on two tortillas. So, some assembly is required, but worth the work. I’ve never had a taco here I didn’t enjoy.903 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville | 864.770.3450

Where to Find Authentic Tacos in Spartanburg, SC

The following places are just some of the places around town you can find such a taco.

Conveniently located in downtown Spartanburg, Burrito Hub has quickly become one of my favorite places to grab tacos in the hub city. The tacos are reasonably priced, they have the best Elote in Spartanburg, and they have margaritas! Follow them on social media to know when they have specials. 2601 East Main Street Street, Spartanburg | 864.274.3077

This restaurant is very popular in local foodie groups, with good reason. The food is authentic, reasonably priced, and good. I enjoy the carne asada and al pastor tacos, with a side of scratch-made refried beans. There’s a salsa bar to customize your tacos if you’d like to add some heat. Conveniently located next to I-26, don’t let the Roebuck address deter you from trying the tacos here.6198 Highway 221, Roebuck | 864.913.1500

One glance at online reviews and you’ll be ready to head to Wellford to enjoy some tacos here. The portions are generous and reasonably priced.105 B Little Mountain Road, Wellford | 864.336.5008

Already a favorite with readers in Greenville. The newly opened location in Roebuck is turning diners in Spartanburg into fans. Their yummy authentic tacos and awesome kids meal deals are a reason Uncle Bertos is a favorite with my family. For residents on the westside of Spartanburg, the Simpsonville location might be closer to dine at.2509 Stone Station Road, Roebuck | 864.586.3973100 Batesville Road, Simpsonville | 864.234.6501

This super popular taco truck can usually be found in the parking lots adjacent to the national taco chain, near I-26 and W.O. Ezell Boulevard. You can call in your order so it’ll be ready when you pull up. 7785 Warren Abernathy Highway, Spartanburg | 864.279.7527

Tacos & Bla Bla Bla is a brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves up delicious, really affordable tacos. And on Taco Tuesdays, tacos are only $2! With multiple locations across the Upstate, there’s likely one near you.Multiple Locations

A Few More Tacos to Try in Spartanburg

Other taco restaurants in Spartanburg that have been recommended to me by readers, that I have yet to try are:

Delicious PasteleriaI’m excited to try the tacos this bakery serves up, it comes highly recommended! Plus their baked goodies look really tempting!106 South Blackstock Road, Spartanburg SC

El Burrito3614 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs | 864.814.0770

Taco Grill3614 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs | 864.814.6770

There are plenty of awesome Mexican and taco places that are not on the list. I hope this inspires our readers to head out and explore the little tucked away restaurants, with awesome authentic offerings.

There are plenty of awesome taco joints and Mexican restaurants that are not on this list, and for that, I apologize. I hope this list inspires our readers to go on their own search for authentic tacos. Where do you go for authentic tacos?