October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

What the “Samsung Effect” Has—and Hasn’t—Changed in South Carolina

Samsung’s Newberry County factory brought jobs and supplier links, but reported statewide spillovers and national tariff costs should not be mistaken for proof of lasting county-wide prosperity.
From TheFinanceBase Team4 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Samsung’s Newberry County appliance factory brought a major employer and supplier relationships to the region, but the evidence does not show that it created lasting prosperity across the county. Samsung reported more than 1,500 locally supported jobs and nearly $500 million in regional investment in 2023; independent reporting later found that many workers commute from outside the county and that local businesses had not generally sustained a broad lift.

What people mean by the “Samsung effect”

The phrase describes local changes associated with Samsung Electronics Home Appliances America (SEHA) opening a home-appliance factory in Newberry County. The plant was established in 2017 and became a significant manufacturing employer. The label is useful for discussing jobs, suppliers and business activity, but it is not a formal measure of county-wide economic growth—and it does not establish that Samsung alone caused lasting prosperity.

In its Oct. 9, 2023 account, Samsung said the facility had generated nearly $500 million in capital investment for the region and directly supported more than 1,500 local jobs as part of ongoing operations. Those are company-reported figures, not a current independently audited tally.

How the factory connects to local businesses

Samsung described a supplier relationship with KRA Operations, which provides stamping and injection-molding parts. The company also highlighted Figaro the Dining Room: the restaurant caters for Samsung and receives plant employees as customers. These examples show how a manufacturer can connect to nearby firms through purchasing and worker spending; they do not amount to a full economic-impact study.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB, Black
  • PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
  • TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
  • NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
  • MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
  • HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone

Samsung employees described visible activity around the plant. Production Manager Bobby Stevens said, “When SEHA came we saw hotels being built and new restaurants. The community has just exploded.” That is a stakeholder’s impression, not a finding that measures the cause or durability of local business growth.

Why the reported job numbers are not interchangeable

The figures often cited about Samsung refer to different dates, sources and kinds of employment. Samsung’s 2023 number is its claim about jobs directly supported locally. Separately, a University of South Carolina estimate, commissioned by Samsung according to Dow Jones reporting published Feb. 8, 2025, associated every 10 Samsung jobs in Newberry with 12 additional jobs elsewhere in South Carolina through worker spending. That is a commissioned estimate of statewide spillovers, not a count of additional Newberry County jobs or a universal multiplier.

Rank #2
Sale
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone 128GB US 1 Yr Manufacturer Warranty Black
  • YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
  • LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
  • MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
  • NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
  • BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Date and source Figure What it describes
2017, as recounted in Jeff Ferry’s 2024 congressional testimony Planned $350 million investment and 1,000 employees Announced plans, not later operating totals.
2020, Ferry’s 2024 testimony An additional $120 million invested; 1,200 employees Historical expansion and employment figures in testimony by a witness who supports tariffs.
Oct. 9, 2023, Samsung Nearly $500 million in regional capital investment; more than 1,500 locally supported jobs Company-reported figures about the facility and region.
2022 estimate, reported by Dow Jones in 2025 12 additional South Carolina jobs for every 10 Samsung jobs in Newberry A USC estimate commissioned by Samsung, concerning statewide employment associated with worker spending.
Feb. 8, 2025, Dow Jones More than 1,500 workers Reported plant employment at that time; the report noted many lived outside Newberry County.

The chronology helps explain why figures should not be presented as though they were one current county impact count. There is no established single, current independent 2026 count of Newberry jobs, cumulative investment or county-wide net benefit.

What independent reporting says about local spillovers

Dow Jones reported in February 2025 that the plant still employed more than 1,500 workers, but many lived outside Newberry County and local businesses overall had not seen a sustained boost. That qualification matters: a factory can support substantial employment while some worker spending flows to neighboring places, and supplier ties do not guarantee broad gains for every local business.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G Smart Phone 128GB, US 1 Yr Manufacturer Warranty Blue
  • YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
  • LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
  • MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
  • NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
  • BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.

The USC estimate concerns additional jobs across South Carolina, not solely in Newberry County. It therefore cannot establish how much spending stayed in the county, how many local businesses benefited or whether the overall county economy improved because of the plant.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Was the factory’s growth tied to washer tariffs?

The Newberry jobs story sits within a wider national trade-policy debate, but local employment and consumer costs are distinct effects. Dow Jones reported that a cited study estimated U.S. washer prices rose nearly 12% in 2018—about $86 to $92 per washer—after tariffs began. The same reporting cited an estimate of about $1.5 billion in annual costs to consumers nationwide. These are historical study findings, not a current washer price premium or a cost estimate for Newberry residents alone.

Rank #4
Samsung Galaxy A16 4G LTE (128GB + 4GB) International Model SM-A165F/DS Factory Unlocked, 6.7", Dual SIM, 50MP Triple Camera (Case Bundle), Black
  • Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
  • Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
  • Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.

Dow Jones also reported that washer prices declined after the tariffs were removed in February 2023, with the cited analysis putting the decline at 13% by year-end 2023. The article describes employment that tariffs may have helped create alongside higher consumer prices; it does not calculate a net economic return for Newberry County. Jeff Ferry’s 2024 congressional testimony offers a more favorable interpretation of tariffs, but his historical investment and employment figures should be read as testimony, not current plant data.

Best Value
Sale
Samsung Galaxy S26, Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB, Sky Blue
  • TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
  • MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
  • FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
  • IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
  • FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment

How to read claims about the Samsung effect

  • Separate direct and indirect jobs. Samsung’s local-support figure and USC’s statewide spillover estimate measure different things.
  • Keep the geography attached. South Carolina-wide additional employment does not mean all associated jobs or spending remained in Newberry County.
  • Distinguish company claims from independent reporting. Samsung is the primary source for its investment figures and business examples; Dow Jones adds reporting on commuting patterns and limits to sustained local gains.
  • Do not treat tariff costs as a local offset calculation. The cited consumer estimates are national and do not establish the factory’s net benefit to the county.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.