Did you know that BMW has a plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina? Well, here’s a short history lesson and some facts you may not have known. BMW announced the location in 1992 and it opened in 1994. It was BMW’s first full-production factory outside of Germany. It churns out over 1,500 vehicles per day, resulting in over 433,000 vehicles in 2021, 60% of which are exported. It employs over 11,000 people. BMW has invested over $12,000,000,000 into South Carolina operations since announcing the plant—big numbers! The Spartanburg plant certainly makes a big impact on the surrounding area.
As another positive impact on the community, BMW just celebrated its 25th year as the premier sponsor of the South Carolina Teacher of the Year program. This year’s recipient, Deion Jamison, was presented with a new Dravit Grey BMW X550i, which he can use for one year. Options include Tartufo Extended Merino Leather and the Dynamic Handling package.
Jamison, an English teacher at Legacy Early College with the South Carolina Public Charter School District, said, “This is an incredible honor that I’m still processing right now; it’s very overwhelming. I’m very thankful to BMW for sponsoring this phenomenal program, and for providing this amazing ride that I get to drive around for the next year. I’m excited to share my story with teachers across the state of South Carolina, and hopefully, inspire others to become teachers. BMW helps make all this possible, and I’m very grateful for that.”
Max Metcalf, the manager of government and community relations at BMW Manufacturing, said “BMW’s support of the Teacher of the Year program for the past 25 years is central to our commitment to education across South Carolina.”
As part of this recognition, Jamison received a number of cash awards, a set of Michelin tires, admission to Leadership South Carolina, and an exclusive Jostens South Carolina Teacher of the Year ring. The other finalists, Zachary Arms, Jami Guker, Laura Merk, and Thomas Slater, also received cash awards, Michelin tires, and Teacher of the Year rings.
Congratulations to Deion Jamison and other outstanding South Carolina Teacher of the Year finalists!—Mike Bevels
Photos courtesy of BMW