Southern Carolina Region of South Carolina to net 300 new jobs $38 million in investments Seven Companies to Locate or Expand in Six-county Region South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley joined industry leaders and economic development officials from the Southern Carolina region on Thursday evening at SouthernCarolina Alliance’s Annual Regional Celebration, held at USC-Salk in Allendale, to announce $38.2 million in new capital investment and 304 new jobs coming to the six-county region of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties. SouthernCarolina Alliance President & CEO Danny Black introduced the Governor and told the crowd that Governor Haley has been the leading economic development force in the state. “We have had the opportunity to participate in meetings with Governor Haley as she recruits manufacturers from around the world at the air show and in other venues,” said Black. “Company executives feel the small town warmth that Governor Haley radiates and they know that in South Carolina, they are going to get personal attention. More importantly, they trust our Governor and they know that when she promises them the best workforce, the best location, and the best environment for business, she delivers.” The Governor discussed job creation, industry recruitment, workforce development and education with the crowd of more than 350 business and community leaders, then surprised the crowd by inviting several industry executives onstage and making the 7 economic development announcements in one evening. The Governor’s announcements included: Augusta Fiberglass Coating, Inc. (Bamberg County) – Considered the nation’s leading manufacturer of custom fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) equipment, Augusta Fiberglass is expanding into Bamberg County. The expansion, which is ongoing, will accommodate the company’s growing client demand at its current location at 86 Lake Cynthia Road in Blackville, S.C., and its new facility in neighboring Bamberg County. The company’s $800,000 investment in new manufacturing equipment has created 69 new jobs. Dixie Poly-Drum Corp. (Hampton County) – Dixie Poly-Drum Corporation, a leading manufacturer of safety and plastic material products, is rebuilding its facility in Hampton County that was lost to fire six months ago. The company plans to invest $1.1 million in the facility, creating an additional 84 jobs in Yemassee. Dixie Poly-Drum first established operations in Hampton County in 1984. Green Link Wood Industries (Bamberg County) – This hardwood veneer manufacturer plans to purchase and operate the former Kearse Manufacturing Company Inc. facility located at 225 Veneer Lane in Olar in Bamberg County. The $1.2 million investment is expected create 44 jobs. KBRS, Inc. (Jasper County) – KBRS, an advanced composites manufacturer of custom shower and tileable components, will open a new manufacturing facility in Hardeeville in Jasper County and relocate its corporate headquarters to the state. The $2.6 million investment is expected to create 30 new jobs, with hiring to begin in November. Kronotex USA (Barnwell County) – This laminate flooring producer is expanding its operations in Barnwell County. The $29.5 million investment is expected to create 28 new jobs. This announcement marks Kronotex’s third expansion at its Barnwell facility in less than a decade. Palmetto Aero (Colleton County) – This manufacturer and producer of fasteners and airframes for the aerospace industry is establishing a corporate presence in Colleton County. The company will construct a hangar and acquire two existing hangars at the Lowcountry Regional Airport complex in Walterboro. The facilities are to house the company’s manufacturing, corporate headquarters and customer showroom spaces, respectively. The $2.5 million investment is expected to create 44 new jobs. Progressive Packaging, Inc. (Hampton County) – This full-service packaging solutions company based in Simpsonville is opening a new distribution center in Hampton County to accommodate its growing consumer base. The $500,000 investment will create five new jobs in the area in the first 12 months of service. The Governor also recognized Louis Hornick & Company, the manufacturer of home textiles and Walmart supplier that is locating to Allendale County. The company announced in October of 2013 that it planned to create 125 jobs with a $2.5 million investment. The SouthernCarolina Alliance represents the six-county region of Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. The state’s economic development alliances work alongside the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the county economic development offices to market their regions of South Carolina to prospective companies and recruit jobs to the state. Complete releases on each of the companies may be found at: southerncarolina.org.
Posted on: Sat, 31 May 2014 15:09:46 +0000