Press Release
U.S. Commerce Department Invests $1.5 Million to Boost South Carolina Manufacturing Sector
June 28, 2011
Contact: John Atwood, (202) 482-4085
WASHINGTON - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a $1.5 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to the city of Barnwell and Southern Carolina Regional Development Alliance of Barnwell, S.C., to make critical water infrastructure improvements to support a new manufacturing firm that will locate in the South Carolina Advanced Technology Park. The project is expected to create 200 jobs and generate $140 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.
"Supporting growth and innovation in manufacturing is critical to helping America out-compete the rest of the world and create 21st-century jobs," Locke said. "This EDA grant will create jobs by providing critical infrastructure improvements that will allow a new advanced technology manufacturing firm to locate in South Carolina."
The facility will be built to LEED Gold Standards and the manufacturing process will incorporate advanced post-consumer fiber recycling processes in production of parent tissue rolls. One hundred percent of the raw product is post-consumer waste which will reduce wood use, total energy used, greenhouse gas emission, wastewater production and solid waste production compared to traditional production of similar product.
The Obama Administration is committed to building a stronger economy by investing in the research and technology that will lead to new ideas and new industries of the future - that means building new roads and bridges and manufacturing new products right here in America. Recently, the President announced several new commitments by the private sector, colleges, and the National Association of Manufacturers to make it possible for 500,000 community college students to get industry-accepted credentials for manufacturing jobs that companies across America are looking to fill. He also met with his Jobs Council to discuss ways we can spur private sector hiring in the short term and ensure our workers have the skills and training they need in this economy. The Jobs Council announced an effort to train 10,000 new American engineers every year, strengthening our competitiveness to ensure the new jobs and new industries are created right here in America.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration:
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.