Dick Dyer Plants Flag in 29210: Luxury Auto Giant Breaks Ground in Columbia’s “Donut”
- Javar Juarez
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC
COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a move that signals a major shift in the economic trajectory of Columbia’s long-overlooked 29210 corridor, Dick Dyer & Associates has officially broken ground on a new multi-million dollar luxury automotive facility along the Richland–Lexington line near Piney Grove Road and St. Andrews.
The development, confirmed exclusively by CUBNSC through an on-site interview with CEO Hunt Dyer, represents one of the most significant private investments the “donut hole” region has seen in decades.
“This has been a vision going on about six, seven years now,” Dyer said. “I didn’t want to move too far out of Columbia. I’ve always thought that was important to stay close to town.”
A Long-Awaited Development Comes to Life
For months, questions lingered across the St. Andrews corridor about whether a development of this scale would ever take root. The idea of a luxury brand like Mercedes-Benz choosing 29210 felt unlikely to many.
That question has now been answered.
The new campus will unite Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Sprinter commercial vehicles in a single, modern facility, positioned for maximum visibility along one of the Midlands’ fastest-growing transportation corridors.
Built for Growth, Timed for Transformation
The facility is expected to open mid-next year, aligning closely with ongoing expansion phases of the Carolina Crossroads project, one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in South Carolina.
“And now, as you can see, we’re moving along and getting going and looking forward to opening in the middle of next year,” Dyer said.
The timing is no coincidence.
With increased connectivity at the I-20/I-26 interchange, the Piney Grove–St. Andrews corridor is rapidly transitioning from overlooked to strategically essential. Dick Dyer’s investment positions the company at the center of that transformation.
Economic Impact: Jobs and Opportunity
Beyond its physical footprint, the project is expected to generate meaningful economic activity for the region.
“It’s going to give a lot of opportunities for folks here in this area,” Dyer confirmed, noting the expansion will support both customer service operations and broader workforce needs.
The inclusion of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, which are manufactured in South Carolina, adds another layer of economic synergy. The facility will not only serve luxury consumers but also connect to the state’s growing logistics and commercial vehicle ecosystem.
A Strategic Bet on 29210
For community leaders and residents who have long advocated for reinvestment in the Broad River and St. Andrews areas, this development represents more than a new dealership. It is a validation.
For years, the 29210 corridor has been described as a “donut hole” — a geographically central area caught between jurisdictions, often overlooked in favor of outward suburban expansion.
This project challenges that narrative.
Dick Dyer & Associates, a company with more than 56 years of history in Columbia, is not moving away from the city. It is doubling down on it.
“Columbia has been great to us,” Dyer said. “That’s how we’ve been around for 56 years.”
The Dyer Standard Meets a Changing Columbia
At the core of the company’s expansion is what Dyer describes as the “Dyer Standard.”
“Family first,” he said. “We’re a service company that sells cars.”
That philosophy will now be embedded in a state-of-the-art facility designed to deliver a full luxury experience for customers across multiple brands.
For a community that has waited decades for meaningful investment, today’s groundbreaking marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Javar Juarez is the Editor-in-Chief of the Columbia Urban Broadcast Network (CUBNSC) and Senior Director of the Broad River Business Alliance (BRBA), where he focuses on community development, economic growth, and amplifying stories that impact Columbia’s underserved corridors.
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