Two decades previously, the textile industry was the major employer in the upstate SC area. The Palmetto Exposition Center in Greenville used to be called "Tex

Two decades previously, the textile industry was the major employer in the upstate SC area. The Palmetto Exposition Center in Greenville used to be called "Textile Hall" and hosted several trade-shows for the industry where people came from around the world to see the new thread and cloth making machinery. All those jobs went to Central America, China, Malaysia, etc. Not just those of the people running the machinery, but also the jobs that made the machinery too. Unemployment was a big problem. While the textile jobs weren't all that well-paying (often it was piece-work), at least it was something that put food on the table. When BMW Manufacturing arrived it was a tremendous boon to the regional economy. Not only were there new jobs at BMW, but new jobs at both local suppliers and newly arrived "feeder" firms. And these were good-paying jobs, even if they weren't always union. A production associate there starts around $15.50/hr, which is $33k a year. More if there's overtime. This is good money for the area. And then there's the benefits - the employees can buy a BMW at cost every few years. That's like a dream come true for them - being able to drive a European luxury car that's brand new.