Yacht builder to open $12M Dorchester County facility

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A yacht manufacturer plans to open a $12 million facility in Dorchester County.

The investment from Phenom Yachts LLC, a subsidiary of family-owned and South Carolina-based Sportsman Boats Manufacturing Inc., is expected to create 149 new jobs, according to a news release from the South Carolina governor’s office.

Located at 113 Sportsman Way in Summerville, Phenom Yachts’ Dorchester County operation will manufacture the company’s premium sport yachts, the release stated.

“Now more than ever, families are looking for a boat that combines both luxury and performance with what they love to do on the water,” Phenom Yachts president and CEO Tommy Hancock said in the release. “This need in the boating industry turned into a vision, which became the Phenom Yachts brand. We set out to design a center console like nothing else that has ever been created, matched to an elevated customer journey experience.

“The support from South Carolina and Dorchester County is what has allowed us to bring our vision to life.”

Phenom Yachts designs and manufactures family-friendly, high-performing, premium center console yachts, the release stated. Using cutting-edge building processes and materials, Phenom Yachts’ performance-stepped hulls offer superior performance for offshore fishing while maintaining a family-oriented layout.

Operations are expected to begin by Jan. 1, 2023, according to the release. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to this project.

“We are proud of Sportsman Boats Manufacturing Inc.’s continued success in South Carolina and congratulate them on their newest endeavor with Phenom Yachts LLC,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. “Their growth is further testament that South Carolina has the business-friendly environment and talented workforce necessary for companies to develop, grow and thrive.”