PTR Industries Selects Horry County, SC

PTR Industries, a Connecticut-based rifle manufacturer, announced today their decision to relocate manufacturing operations and a corporate headquarters to the Myrtle Beach, S.C. area. The project will consist of a capital investment of approximately $8 million plus the creation of 145 new jobs paying significantly higher wages than the County average. The company's economic impact is projected to exceed $20 million annually to the Horry County economy.

The project, locating in the 58,000 square foot Horry County spec building on Highway 319 near Aynor, S.C. will employ gunsmiths, engineers, toolmakers, and machinists who will work with state-of-the-art technology in the rifle manufacturing process. Once the County completes the spec building upfit necessary for the manufacturer to begin operations, the company will begin the hiring and training component. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the local South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce Center for more details regarding employment opportunities.

As a firearms manufacturer, issues important to the company in their site selection process included a location with dependable labor, training facilities and superb quality of life in a state with a pro-second amendment culture. The South Carolina General Assembly recently demonstrated support via the State Senate passage of S.649, "A Senate Resolution to encourage Businesses and Firearms Manufacturers from out-of-state to locate in the Palmetto State."

Multiple parties assisted the Myrtle Beach Regional EDC with the company's location specifics including, but not limited to: Governor Haley and the South Carolina Department of Commerce, U.S. Congressman Tom Rice, South Carolina Representative Alan Clemmons and the Horry County state delegation, the Horry County Council and staff, NESA, and the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Quotes from Federal, State and Local Leadership:

"PTR is very excited to begin the process and write the next chapter for our company here in South Carolina," said Josh Fiorini, President and CEO of PTR Industries. "I'd like to thank and commend the leadership of South Carolina and Horry County who have demonstrated their commitment to jobs and industry for the area and the taxpayers. We look forward to doing business here and joining the rising tide of the Myrtle Beach area economy."

"PTR Industries decision to relocate their corporate headquarters to Horry County and invest more than $8 million in our district, is a direct result of Horry County's aggressive economic recruiting efforts," said Congressman Tom Rice. "It is easy to see why a company like PTR Industries would want to relocate to Horry County, South Carolina. Our state has a skilled workforce, competitive wages, and a great quality of life -- not to mention, a history of honoring individuals' constitutional rights. On behalf of the 7th District, it is my honor to welcome PTR Industries and thank them for creating nearly 150 high wage jobs and investing millions in our local economy."

"PTR Industries is a perfect fit for Horry County," stated Horry County Council Chairman Mark Lazarus. "By diversifying our economy with high quality manufacturing companies, it will help our citizens land better paying jobs and provide a stable future for their families. "

"Today's announcement will hopefully send a signal to the rest of the country that South Carolina and the Myrtle Beach region is pro-business and eager to welcome new manufacturing jobs. 145 new, high paying jobs will mean a lot to our continued efforts to diversify and grow an already vibrant Myrtle Beach area economy," said MBREDC President & CEO, Brad Lofton.

South Carolina State Representative Alan Clemmons commented, "On the first day that Josh Fiorini announced his intention to leave Connecticut to relocate his company, PTR Industries, to a state that values its citizen's Constitutional Second Amendment rights, we initiated contact with him. Bringing PTR to Horry County has been a team effort between Governor Haley's office, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, Horry County Council, the Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corporation, Congressman Tom Rice, Senator Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina General Assembly and my own staff. Our team is grateful that PTR has chosen South Carolina over the many other states that approached them, including a full-court press by Texas, as home to its corporate headquarters and its production facilities. While we are grateful, we are not surprised, because South Carolina's business-friendly regulatory environment, low taxes, motivated workforce, technical training facilities and staff, combined with the beauty of Horry County, make for a corporate environment that can't be beat -- not even in Texas!"

Despite well-publicized efforts to recruit the company from Texas Governor Rick Perry and 40 additional states, Horry County was selected for the location of the project. In the following quarter, the MBREDC will host a ceremonial ribbon cutting onsite.