Rock Hill Partners with Winthrop and York Tech to Encourage Manufacturing and Job Growth (09/15/26)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The city of Rock Hill will donate $250,000 each to Winthrop University and York Technical College to encourage manufacturing and job growth in the region.

• The partnership was announced at a Sept. 15 press conference at Rock Hill City Hall.
• Winthrop will use the money to help launch its advanced manufacturing engineering program in fall 2027.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - The city of Rock Hill will donate $250,000 each to Winthrop University and York Technical College to encourage manufacturing and job growth in the region.

The partnership was announced at a Sept. 15 press conference at Rock Hill City Hall to explain how area entities are preparing for the jobs of tomorrow. They also are encouraging key stakeholders to contribute to the effort.

Winthrop President Edward Serna '02 said that the institution looks forward to being a catalyst for manufacturing growth in the region. "We will use this gift to fill a critical gap in economic development," said Serna. "This is an exciting development that will further assist us in establishing the state's first Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering degree." The university aims to enroll its first students in the new degree offering in fall 2027.

"We're proud to continue our contributions to the economic development initiatives in Rock Hill and the surrounding areas," Serna added. "We appreciate all of the connections and partnerships that we've made along the way with our local and regional manufacturing companies."

Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said the city is making investments to position students at Winthrop and York Technical College for future-focused careers.

The state has encouraged growth from manufacturing headquarters to expanding advanced manufacturing operations. Over the last decade, the Palmetto State has averaged manufacturing employment growth of more than 17 percent.

The Rock Hill City Council voted on the partnership gifts at its Sept. 14 meeting.

Winthrop Board Chair Joel Hamilton '06 said the university has been very strategic in selecting new academic programs that will be in demand in York County. "We've listened to what employers in our area need, and we're doing our part to help fill those gaps and needs," he said.

Winthrop already has degree programs and advanced coursework in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, machine learning and materials science.

Provost Sebastian van Delden spoke about the niche program and shared the coursework underway for the degree, adding that Winthrop has a "robust portfolio of science coursework." He pointed to the influx of companies moving to the area, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

"They all need employees, which is wonderful…However, it does put stress on the workforce," van Delden said. "Every university needs to step up and do its part in South Carolina to meet the need. Winthrop is very proud to be taking those steps."

He said he hopes this will be the first of many engineering-focused programs to roll out over the next decade.

Stacey Moore, president of York Technical College, said her workplace will use the money for building renovation and establishing a life sciences program, the first in the state.

For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at [email protected].