The South Carolina Farm Bureau Marketing Association Grain Elevator began construction today on a multimillion-dollar expansion project aimed at nearly doubling its grain storage capacity. This development, in partnership with the Growing Agribusiness Fund administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA), will also add new office and warehouse space.
“South Carolina Farm Bureau has always been committed to supporting the farmers of the Palmetto State, and the Anderson Elevator is a critical piece of infrastructure that provides a market upstate farmers wouldn’t have otherwise,” said SCFB President Harry Ott. “We are excited to work with SCDA on this project that will continue to grow the leading industry in South Carolina – agriculture.”
The expansion includes three 90,000-bushel grain bins, a 2,000-bushel grain dryer, a 25,000-bushel wet tank, an unloading pit, two load-out bins, and the construction of a nearly 12,000-square-foot building to be used as an office, warehouse, and retail store. Upon completion, the elevator’s storage capacity will increase to 610,000 bushels.
“The Anderson Elevator expansion by South Carolina Farm Bureau will allow more upstate South Carolina farmers to have ready access to markets,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “This project is a great example of how we’re supporting South Carolina’s agribusiness industry using the $40 million allocated to the Growing Agribusiness Fund by the South Carolina legislature.”
The SCFB elevator, the only grain elevator within a 100-mile radius, currently serves farmers in 13 upstate counties. The expansion will enable it to serve up to an additional nine counties across the state.
Originally constructed in 1950, the grain elevator was purchased by the South Carolina Farm Bureau Marketing Association in 1967. The Marketing Association, a subsidiary of South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, was officially chartered on December 12, 1961, to assist members with the production, marketing, and selling of agricultural products.
The construction project is underway and is expected to be completed by early 2025.
