• October 8, 2010

  Mac's Drive-In Makes Clemson Proud

  

  The entire country now recognizes what Clemson Tigers fans have known for years: Mac's Drive-In in Clemson has been named one of the best burger joints in America by USA Today. Founded by the late Harold "Mac" McKeown in 1956, the restaurant is famous for its sweet tea, milkshakes and burgers.

  

• September 16, 2010

  South Carolina Apple Festival Winning Recipe

  

  Photos by Ken Ruinard/Photos courtesy of Anderson Independent Mail

  Labor Day weekend marks the beginning of apple harvest season in Oconee County, the largest apple-producing area in the state. Westminster has been the home of the South Carolina Apple Festival since 1961.

  An important part of the festival is the apple baking contest, and this year was no different. Francine Bryson of Pickens took top prize from among twenty-three entries with her Apple Blossom recipes.

  To read more about this year's Apple Festival and make your own Apple Blossom using Francine's recipe, click here.

  

  

• August 27, 2010

  Senator DeMint visits with McCormick residents

  

  Senator DeMint visits with McCormick County residents during his August travels around South Carolina.

  Senator DeMint spoke to a crowd of over 100 McCormick County residents during his travels around the state during August recess. He provided a Washington update for attendees, took questions and mingled with residents during the stop.

  

   

  

• July 22, 2010

  ZF Group Announces New Manufacturing Operations in Laurens County

  ZF Group plans to invest approximately $350 million in a new manufacturing facility in Laurens County to produce fuel-efficient automatic transmissions for the passenger car and light truck market.

  The announcement was made following a meeting at ZF’s corporate headquarters in Friedrichshafen that included members of ZF’s Board of Management and officials from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

  ZF already operates manufacturing facilities in South Carolina, and has been gradually growing its presence in the state, thanks to its proximity to major transportation hubs, competitive business environment and skilled workforce.  The new transmission plant is expected to employ 900 workers by the year 2015.

  “We are eager to build our fuel-efficient automatic transmissions in North America.  We believe the increasing emphasis on fuel economy and our reputation for producing high-quality, fuel-efficient transmissions provide an unprecedented opportunity to grow our business.  We believe this production facility could serve as a key driver of this growth,” says Dr. Gerhard Wagner, Group Executive of ZF's Car Driveline Division.

  ZF expects to begin construction of its new, Laurens County facility in January.  Hiring is anticipated to begin in early 2012 for skilled positions that include CNC operators, assemblers, production and logistics.  The state’s worker training program, readySC™, will assist in the hiring process.  Information will be posted at www.sctechjobs.com as jobs become available. 

  

• May 25, 2010

  IRS Schedules Saturday Open House Events in SC

  The Internal Revenue Service will host special nationwide Open House events Saturday June 5 to help individuals solve tax problems.

  IRS locations will be equipped to handle issues involving notices and payments, return preparation, audits and a variety of other issues.

  The following three IRS offices in South Carolina will be open on Saturday, June 5 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  Charleston: 1 Poston Road, Suite 200   

  Columbia: 1835 Assembly Street

  Greenville: 440 Roper Mountain Road

  

• May 21, 2010

  Anderson Welcomes First Quality

  First Quality Tissue will establish a manufacturing facility utilizing a state-of-the-art Thru-Air-Dried (TAD) technology and a complete line of converting equipment, significantly expanding its capacity and commitment to the tissue and towel industry.  The company plans to invest $1 billion and create 1,000 new jobs to support its new production facility in Anderson County, South Carolina. 

  “First Quality is very pleased to become part of Anderson County, South Carolina, and we look forward to working together to create real opportunities with all our partners, both in government and the private sector, that will benefit the entire community,” said Frank Ludovina, company representative for First Quality.  “Among the factors that attracted First Quality to Anderson are the pool of skilled labor, positive work ethic and the availability of the infrastructure necessary to sustain our facility.  As important, however, is the pro-business environment that has been created there.  First Quality’s decision to locate in South Carolina would not have been possible without the abundant support from Governor Sanford, the team at the Department of Commerce and officials from Anderson County.  We appreciate South Carolina’s commitment to First Quality and look forward to a prosperous partnership in the years ahead.”

  After an extensive site selection process in which the company considered multiple locations in the United States, Anderson County was selected due to its proximity to the growing Southeastern market, quality infrastructure and low energy costs among other factors.  First Quality Tissue will acquire the former Shaw Industries facility on Masters Boulevard where it will construct its new manufacturing facilities.   In addition to First Quality’s plans to create 1,000 new direct jobs over time, construction of the new facilities will generate an immediate impact with an additional 550 construction jobs.

  “I want to congratulate the Anderson community for the hard work and optimism that is helping to attract new business to the area,” said Sen. Jim DeMint. “First Quality chose South Carolina for their new manufacturing facility because our state is one of the best places in the world to do business.  This new development will create hundreds of new jobs for the region and is an exciting opportunity for Anderson.  I’m also thankful for the local and state partners who have worked together to bring this major economic development to South Carolina.  And I will continue my fight in Washington to stop job-killing spending, taxes and debt so that South Carolina workers and companies like First Quality that employ them can have the best chance to succeed,” DeMint continued.

  First Quality Tissue expects the initial operations to commence in 2011 and will begin the hiring process in the third quarter of 2010.  The company anticipates hiring 200 positions at that time.  ReadySC™ will assist with hiring and training of new employees for the new Anderson County facility.  Individuals interested in applying for positions should visit the S.C. Tech Jobs Web site at www.sctechjobs.com  in the months ahead.

  

• April 29, 2010

  US Fibers Announces Expansion in Edgefield County

  US Fibers, a recycler of PET Post Industrial and Post Consumer material, will expand its facility in Edgefield County. The $10.1 million investment is expected to generate 85 new jobs. The company is headquartered in Laurens County, where it also has a recycling plant.

  “We continue to see demand grow for our recycled materials, and this expansion will help us better serve our customers. South Carolina continues to offer our company an excellent business environment and we are pleased to continue making the Palmetto State our home,” said Steve Zagorski, vice president of New Business Development at US Fibers.

  Edward Oh, president and founder of US Fibers, has conducted recycling business in South Carolina for the past 20 years. According to Mr. Oh, “We are excited about the opportunity to grow our company while providing jobs in South Carolina and helping the local economy. We are grateful to our customers for their loyal support and continued commitment to US Fibers.”

  The company plans to begin hiring for the new positions by the beginning of the third quarter this year. The appropriate contact will be announced when the hiring process starts. Edgefield County and US Fibers are working an agreement to facilitate this project which will be presented to county council at its next regular session.

  

• March 9, 2010

  MTU Detroit Diesel Comes to Aiken County

  Jim's Staff

  The South Carolina Department of Commerce and MTU Detroit Diesel Inc. confirmed today that the company will be opening a new manufacturing facility in Aiken County, S.C. where it will begin building Series 2000 and Series 4000 engines by the end of the year. The company hosted an announcement event today at the new facility.
  
  MTU is a subsidiary of the Germany-based Tognum Group, a global leader in diesel propulsion and power systems. The 270,000-square-foot facility will allow for future expansion as market demand increases over the coming years.
  
  “The new facility in Aiken County is part of Tognum’s global strategy to increase manufacturing in the markets where our products are sold,” says Matthias Vogel, president and CEO, MTU Detroit Diesel Inc. “With it we will have greater flexibility to respond to market conditions and to compete for government contracts where local content is key.”
  
  MTU will take over the former SKF USA plant in the Sage Mill Industrial Park in Graniteville. The Tognum Group, MTU’s parent company, has committed to a $45 million investment in the new facility that is expected to bring 250 jobs to the Aiken area over the next four years.
  

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• February 22, 2010

  Henriques Discusses Health Care With Easley Chamber of Commerce

  Jim's Staff

  Monica Henriques, legislative assistant to Sen. DeMint, discusses health care legislation at a round table meeting of health care professionals at the Easley Chamber of Commerce.
  
  
  
  L-R: Susan Aiken, regional director to Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Henriques and Kent Dykes, president of Easley Chamber of Commerce
  
  

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• January 13, 2010

  Local Church Group on a Mission to Haiti

  Jim's Staff

  A group from Main Street United Methodist Church in Abbeville traveled to Haiti earlier this week to perform mission work on the island. They were in Haiti when the earthquake occurred. Our office has been informed that everyone with the mission group is safe, and as we receive more information, we'll update this post.
  
  The State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747 (due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording).
  
  If you'd like to donate to the rescue and recovery efforts in Haiti, you can text the word "HAITI" from your phone to the number 90999. By sending a text message, a $10 donation goes to the Red Cross and Mercy Corps, who are organizing relief efforts. The donation will show up on your phone bill.

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