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Spartanburg-based Milliken & Co. announced Tuesday it will expand its Allen Plant in Blacksburg and hire “dozens” of new workers to boost production of a popular clarifying product used in food storage containers.

Increased global demand for Millad NX 8000 prompted the decision to expand, a company official said Tuesday.

“The new Milliken facility will expand the Upstate’s ability to bring tangible sustainability benefits to the global plastics industry,” stated Allen Jacoby, senior vice president of Milliken’s plastics additives business.

“We’re committed to attracting industry-leading talent, investing in our footprint and expanding our team, based here in the Upstate, to support our company’s growth.”

The Allen Plant in Cherokee County is Milliken’s largest specialty chemical plant.

Jacoby said “dozens” of new jobs will be created, from skilled manufacturing positions to leading research chemists, chemical engineers, marketing and sales. The expanded facility is expected to start operations in 2020.

Millad NX 8000 is a clarifier for polypropylene, used in appliances, medical devices, housewares and food storage containers.

“Known in the market as NX UltraClear PP, it answers the growing demand for clear, attractive products and sustainable, cost-efficient production,” according to Milliken’s website.

The Greenville office of Fluor will manage the engineering and construction of the new plant.

Allen is one of three Milliken plants in Cherokee County. The others are the Limestone weaving facility in Gaffney and Magnolia Finishing Plant in Blacksburg.

Founded in 1865, Milliken has more than 2,200 U.S. patents, more than 5,000 patents worldwide, and employs more than 7,000 people.

Based in Spartanburg, it has more than 35 manufacturing facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, France, China, India and Australia. It also has sales and service operations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Milliken makes textiles, specialty chemicals, carpet and floor coverings.

Cherokee County Administrator Steve Bratton and Jim Cook, executive director of the Cherokee County Development Board, could not be reached Tuesday.

Cherokee and Spartanburg County Councils have a joint agreement to provide tax breaks for new and expanding businesses.

Both county councils approved fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements for the Allen Plant expansion, although the value of the tax break could not be immediately determined.

In 2017, Cherokee County gave Milliken & Co. a reduced tax rate for investing at least $2.5 million to expand all three plants in the county.

A Hong Kong tool manufacturer will open a new warehouse and distribution center here this summer that represents a $50 million investment.

Techtronic Industries Co. (TTI) announced Monday the company plans to locate in the former ADS Logistics Service building in the Meadowcreek Industrial Park. The building has been vacant since early 2016.

Council gave approval of a third and final reading of a tax break for TTI that includes a 6 percent fee-in-lieu and special source revenue.

The company will create 100 new jobs.

For confidentiality purposes, the company was known as Project Diamondback during its negotiations with the county.

Recycling plant to create approximately 200 jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Green Tech Solution, Inc today announced plans to locate new recycling operations in Cherokee County. The company’s $75 million investment is projected to create approximately 200 new jobs.

Green Tech Solution, Inc will be establishing a new recycling operation to collect and process a variety of materials, including plastics, scrap metal, electronics and more. Green Tech Solution, Inc is a subsidiary of Tianjin Sheng Xin Non-Financing Guarantee Co., Ltd., an investment company headquartered in Tianjin, China.

Located at 210 Henson Road in Blacksburg, S.C., the company’s new facility is expected to come online in the second quarter of 2019. Hiring for the new jobs is projected to begin in February 2019.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits related to this project.

QUOTES

“We could not be more excited to locate our new recycling operations in Cherokee County, a location that has everything we need for our investment to succeed. None of this would be possible without the assistance of the local and state allies that have supported our new endeavor.” –Green Tech Solution, Inc CEO Richard Yang

“South Carolina has been attracting business from all over the world for years because we have worked hard to create a business friendly climate and a workforce that is second to none. We’re thrilled that Green Tech Solution, Inc has chosen to join the ranks of international companies that call our state home and look forward to many years of success.” –Gov. Henry McMaster

“South Carolina’s recycling industry continues to enjoy tremendous growth, and foreign investment has played a large role in this. I welcome China-based Green Tech Solution, Inc to Team South Carolina and look forward to seeing the difference these 200 new jobs will make in the Cherokee County community.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“Cherokee County welcomes Green Tech Solution, Inc to our community. Their investment of $75 million and the creation of 200 new jobs will greatly increase the standard of living for many Cherokee County residents. We appreciate Green Tech Solution, Inc selecting Cherokee County for the project and bringing new life to one of our available industrial buildings.” –Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Green Tech Solution, Inc is launching new operations in Cherokee County.
• $75 million investment to create approximately 200 new jobs.
• Green Tech Solution, Inc will be establishing a new recycling operation to collect and process a variety of materials, including plastics, scrap metal, electronics and more.
• The new facility will be located at 210 Henson Road in Blacksburg, S.C.
• Hiring for the new jobs is projected to begin in February 2019.

$31.9 million investment to increase production capacity

COLUMBIA, S.C. – ACE Bakery, LLC, an artisan bakery that produces par-baked breads for retail customers, is expanding its existing Cherokee County operations. The $31.9 million investment is expected to create 40 new jobs over the next several years.

ACE Bakery, a wholly-owned subsidiary of George Weston Limited, produces and distributes baked goods to a variety of retail and foodservice sectors. First announced in July 2012, the company’s Cherokee County facilities are located at 131 Corporate Drive in Gaffney, S.C.

To accommodate its continued growth, ACE Bakery will be growing its operations by 80,000 square feet, adding a production line and doubling the size of its existing freezer. Hiring for the new positions should begin in the third quarter of 2018.

For more information on the company, visit www.acebakery.com

QUOTES

“We at ACE Bakery are very excited with the opportunity Cherokee County has provided us to expand our business. The region’s growth, as well as the workforce and infrastructure, were key factors in expanding our bakery. We appreciate the support from the State of South Carolina and Cherokee County, and look forward to continuing this great partnership.” –ACE Bakery President Roy Benin

“ACE Bakery’s decision to continue investing in South Carolina and our people shows that companies find the resources they need to be successful here. Every one of these jobs will have an impact on Cherokee County, and we thank this great company for their commitment to our state.” –Gov. Henry McMaster

“While South Carolina’s economy has diversified across a wide variety of industries, agribusiness continues to be one of our most successful sectors. This new $31.9 million investment is further evidence that our state’s business environment is ‘Just Right’ for existing industry.” –Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“We are excited about the planned expansion of ACE Bakery in Cherokee County. We look forward to many years of partnership with the company as they expand their operations and employee base. Cherokee County is committed to supporting existing industry in an increasingly competitive market environment.” –Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer

“South Carolina is taking on a greater presence in the American and global agricultural industries. ACE Bakery’s Cherokee County expansion is a tribute to our agribusiness-friendly climate and our commitment to companies who have made South Carolina home.” –S.C. Agriculture Commissioner Hugh Weathers

FIVE FAST FACTS

• ACE Bakery, LLC is expanding its Cherokee County operations.
• $31.9 million investment to create 40 new jobs.
• ACE Bakery is a producer and distributor of baked goods to the retail and foodservice sectors.
• The company’s operations are located at 131 Corporate Drive in Gaffney, S.C.
• To accommodate its continued growth, ACE Bakery will be growing its operations by 80,000 square feet, adding a production line and doubling the size of its existing freezer.

Cherokee County officials are happy to see another longtime local business expand.

Monday night, Cherokee County Council approved an incentives package for the expansion of Brown Packing Co. The 10-year, $10 million investment is the latest in a series of business expansions that have had a significant impact on Cherokee County.

“Everyone gets excited when it’s a new project, but frankly, when you can see Timken expand and Nestle expand and Freightliner expand and Milliken expand over the course of the past three or four years, it’s a good sign for our community,” County Administrator Holland Belue said.

In April, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. broke ground on a new 200,000-square-foot logistics facility, the centerpiece of the company’s $22.7 million expansion.

Last year, Milliken & Co. announced an investment of at least $2.5 million in three of its Cherokee County plants.

In 2013, Bericap North America expanded its Cherokee County manufacturing facility, investing $29 million with an expected addition of 50 jobs by 2018.

Brown Packing, at 116 Willis St. in Gaffney, was started by Walter Brown in the 1930s, and the company was reorganized after a sale in 1977. The small meat packing company was recognized last year as one of the top 20 beef packers in the United States by Cattle Buyers Weekly, a trade publication.

It was unclear Monday how many new jobs might be created during Brown’s expansion. The incentives, once finalized, would allow the company to pay a flat fee each year rather than the tax rate.

“It’s a continued investment for an existing company. Any time you see a company wanting to continue to invest, that’s a positive sign,” Bellue said. “Any industry that’s not continuing to invest and look to hire people and grow is a stagnant or declining industry. So, it’s encouraging when we see companies like Hamrick’s and Freightliner and companies like Brown Packing continuing to invest. It’s very encouraging.”

A steel galvanizing company will invest $14.1 million and create 72 jobs at a new plant in Blacksburg.

Cherokee County Council on Monday approved tax breaks for Steel Creek Galvanizing Company LLC, which will build an 82,000-square-foot building at 576 Tribal Road.

“After an exhaustive search for an ideal location, we are pleased to announce that we have found it in Cherokee County,” Jim Mack, president of the company, said in a statement Tuesday.

The company, founded in 2013, was incorporated in South Carolina on June 7, 2017, according to records.

It uses a hot-dip galvanizing operation that protects steel against rust and other corrosion, according to a statement from Gov. Henry McMaster’s office.

The operation will be environmentally friendly, with zero emissions, according to the statement.

Blacksburg Town Administrator Charlene Carter said the town is working with the company to provide water and sewer service to the site.

“In a word, progress is what Steel Creek Galvanizing means to the Blacksburg community and Cherokee County,” Carter said. “We believe this economic opportunity will be significant for those who live here and need a strong, dependable company for employment.”

In addition to county tax breaks, Steel Creek received job development credits from the state Coordinating Council for Economic Development.

Hiring is expected to begin early next year.

“Steel Creek Galvanizing Company is South Carolina’s latest partner in a diverse economy that proves our workforce is one of the best in the world and can do any job they’re asked to do,” McMaster stated.

S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said “rural South Carolina has earned yet another big win.”

“We look forward to watching Steel Creek succeed and grow here for years to come,” Hitt stated.

Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer said the county is “excited by the investment.”

“The investment and job creation continue to demonstrate Cherokee County’s desire to continue to diversify our local industry,” Spencer stated.

For Immediate Release
November 5, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – A leader in fully integrated, secure and auditable reverse logistics solutions is establishing a facility to process consumer electronic returns in Cherokee County. The Recon Group, Inc. is investing $1.3 million to locate in Blacksburg, S.C., creating an expected 248 new jobs.

Incorporated in 2007 and headquartered in Miami, Fla., The Recon Group maintains a global reach with operations in the United States, Canada and China. Boasting a large repertoire of in-house developed Standard Operating Procedures, The Recon Group adopted the terminology of Intelligent Disposition, Smart Touch and Smart Returns to describe its offerings. With a client list including all big box consumer electronics retailers, the company excels in consumer electronics.

The Recon Group’s Cherokee County facility, located at 153 Gibbons Road in Blacksburg, S.C., will be the firm’s seventh in the United States and ninth worldwide. Utilizing more than 180,000 square-feet of warehouse space, with plans for future expansion, this Blacksburg facility will specialize in the refurbishment of customer return high-definition televisions, with the ability to accommodate flex space for pilot programs.

readySC™, a division of the S.C. Technical College System, will be assisting with recruitment and training of Repair and Lead Technicians at The Recon Group facility. To apply for these positions, please visit www.sctechjobs.com.

TRG has secured Mancan Staffing to recruit, screen and hire employees for all other positions. Mancan has 3 local offices; Gastonia, Gaffney and Blacksburg.  The Blacksburg office is located within the TRG facility and is accepting applications on Mon., Wed. and Fri from 9am – 1pm.  However, all three locations are participating in the recruiting process and have begun to take applications/resumes.  Interested candidates should contact a staffing office by phone, apply in person on-site or submit resumes to ckable@mancan.com.

Fore information on The Recon Group, please visit www.therecongroup.com.

QUOTES

“With our rapid expansion, Blacksburg is simply the next logical step for many reasons. Along with its proximity to key suppliers’ distribution centers, its location provides faster turnarounds and reduced logistics costs for our east coast based customers. ” – Matt Gallagher, TRG Chief Customer Officer

“We at TRG are all excited to be here in Blacksburg, and would especially like to thank everybody in South Carolina that have made this expansion possible. Your continued support, quick turnarounds and goodwill have made this possible. We look forward to our continued relationship, growth and future possibilities that we can bring to the area.” – Adam Ziegler, TRG VP of Operations

“The Recon Group bringing nearly 250 new jobs to Cherokee County is a big win for Team South Carolina, and we thank them for their commitment to our state. We look forward to watching them succeed here and we are very confident they will find our world-class workforce is more than capable of getting the job done.” -Gov. Nikki Haley

“In South Carolina, we are extremely proud of our supply chain and logistics capabilities. Adding a reverse logistics firm, like The Recon Group, only strengthens our state’s ability to efficiently transport goods both before and after they go to market.” -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

“On behalf of Cherokee County and its great citizens, I would like to welcome The Recon Group to our business community.   We are certainly thankful for their decision to invest in our county.  We look forward to partnering with them to ensure their success.” – Cherokee County Council Chairman Tim Spencer

“The announcement of The Recon Group to Cherokee County is a great testament to our state’s locational advantage and logistic capabilities. On behalf of the Upstate region, we want to extend a warm welcome to the Recon Group and congratulate Team South Carolina on another great win for our state.” -Upstate SC Alliance President/CEO John Lummus

FIVE FAST FACTS

• The Recon Group, Inc. is establishing operations in Cherokee County.
• $1.3 million investment creating an expected 248 new jobs.
• The facility is located at 153 Gibbons Road in Blacksburg, S.C.
• The Recon Group, Inc. is headquartered in Miami, Fla.
• To apply and train for Repair and Lead Technicians positions at The Recon Group, please visit www.sctechjobs.com. Hiring for all other initial positions will be handled by Mancan’s Gaffney office. Interested candidates should contact a staffing office by phone, apply in person on-site or submit resumes to ckable@mancan.com.

About The Recon Group, Inc.
The Recon Group (TRG) was incorporated in 2007. Throughout the years, TRG focused its efforts on the Intelligent Disposition, Smart Touch and Smart Returns aspects of the Reverse Logistics’ Industry. Having added every big box consumer electronic retailer to our client roster, The Recon Group’s area of expertise lies in Consumer Electronics, however, it is not limited to this category. TRG has developed and executed programs for a multitude of consumer level products, including soft goods, hard goods, clothing and toys. TRG’s roots are deep in first-hand experience, our team consists of individuals collaboratively working together, to each bring their versatile backgrounds and experiences, goals, achievements, certifications and inter-industry networking, creating TRG. For more information, visit www.therecongroup.com.

About S.C. Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing business grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgeston, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the nation for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Locatioin International reports in both 2012 and 2013. The state won the Gold Shovel Award and the Project of Year Award from Area Development magazine in 2012. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.

Visit the Commerce Newsroom for more project announcements and South Carolina business news.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Allison Skipper, APR
Director of Marketing and Communications
South Carolina Department of Commerce
(803) 737-1998
askipper@sccommerce.com
www.SCcommerce.com