More Choices, More Opportunities

Justin Gist has spent his entire life in Spartanburg County.

He attended local public schools, graduated from Dorman High School, and, like many young people, wasn’t entirely sure what came next.

After high school, his mother encouraged him to attend a job fair at what is now Spartanburg Community College. There, he was introduced to technical education opportunities and an employer-sponsored scholarship program that helped launch his career.

“I’d never heard of those programs when I was in high school,” Gist said.

Today, Gist works as a Continuous Improvement Leader at Keurig Dr Pepper. His path has included promotions, professional certifications, leadership opportunities and a return to the company after exploring another role. Looking back, he sees a community that offers far more career options than it once did.

“When I was a teenager, you could name maybe 10 places where everybody wanted to work,” he said. “You had a handful of major employers and people would stay there for 10 or 20 years. Today, it’s so much more than that.”

The local economy has changed dramatically over the past decade. Between 2015 and 2025, the number of white-collar jobs based in Spartanburg County increased by 23 percent, outpacing the national average of 15%. What was once a community largely defined by textiles and traditional manufacturing now includes growing opportunities in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, technology, professional services and other sectors.

For Gist, that diversification has been one of the most significant changes he’s witnessed.

“I thought after the textile era it was all automotive,” he said. “But now there’s so much more. We have manufacturing, healthcare, technology, startups, logistics and other industries continuing to grow. I’m very pleased to see the diversity of opportunity.”

That diversity matters, he says, because it creates resilience and gives people more choices.

“If you put all your eggs in one basket, you could find yourself in trouble again,” Gist said. “Now we have so many different avenues and opportunities.”

Gist has seen those opportunities play out across generations of his own family. His father spent more than 20 years at BMW before retiring in 2017, serving as an example of leadership and professional growth. Today, his brother continues that legacy with more than 15 years at that company.

“My father showed me what leadership looked like,” Gist said. “Now my brother and I have both been able to build careers right here in Spartanburg County. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.”

As a husband and father of two, Gist thinks about growth through the lens of his family.

“What I can do as the head of a family of four gives my children opportunities,” he said. “It can spark their interests and maybe even help shape their future careers.”

His wife, a District 6 teacher originally from South Florida, has watched the community grow alongside her. What began as visits from family members gradually turned into something more permanent. Today, one of her brothers lives in the area, her father recently purchased a home nearby, and close family friends have also relocated to Spartanburg County.

“They came to visit and now they live here,” Gist said with a laugh.

While growth has brought new businesses, housing and amenities, Gist believes Spartanburg has retained what makes it special.

“I like that hometown feel,” he said. “I like knowing people.”

He points to local restaurants, community events and the increasing number of things to do across the county as signs of positive momentum. From baseball games downtown to festivals that seem to happen every weekend, he sees a community that continues to evolve while maintaining its identity.

When asked what he would tell someone considering a move to Spartanburg County, his answer comes quickly.

“Come,” he said. “If you want to slow down a little bit and spread out, move here. It’s a great place to raise a family and grow career-wise.”

For Gist, the greatest sign of progress isn’t any one project or development. It’s the fact that today’s young people have more choices than previous generations.

“My mom always said if you really want to work, you can find a job here,” he said. “I just see people having opportunities.”

And for someone who chose to build both a career and a family in the community where he grew up, that’s a future worth being optimistic about.