Fairfield County, SC's first industry were the Fairfield Cotton Mills in Winnsboro, SC. Fairfield Mill opened in 1898 and was bought by US Tire & Rubber in 1917, which manufactured textiles used in tires.

Today, Michelin owns the Fairfield Mills (now known as the Winnsboro Mills) and makes tire cords at the plant.

http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/tompkins/tompkins.html