Benny Maresca, technical director for Martech Research, said the expansion will generate 60 new jobs.

Martech Research, also referred to as Biological Solutions, is a maker of synthetic and natural chemical products.
“We are pleased to grow our presence in South Carolina,” Maresca said. “Bishopville has provided us with an excellent business environment and a skilled workforce. This expansion will allow us to better serve our current customers and increase our market share.”

Martech Research, also referred to as Biological Solutions, has bought the Kellve Building at the James Industrial Park and will upgrade the facility to handle the company’s manufacturing and warehousing operations. The new facility will be used in the production of the company’s expanded biological, microbial, synthetic and natural chemical products.
Lee County Administrator Alan Watkins said the county council has given final approval to a fee
in lieu agreement will serve to reduce the company’s property tax from 10.5 to 6 percent.

“This is great news for Lee County,” Watkins said. “Any time you talk about new jobs, it’s a good thing. And the company has told council that there could be as many as 100 jobs in the future.”

Lee County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Burgess said expansion of existing industry is big news for any community.
“About 70 percent of the new jobs and investment typically come from the expansion of existing industry,” Burgess said. “Unfortunately, this is often overlooked. New industry is important, but expansion of existing industry is also important.”
State officials said the company’s announcement was good for the state.

“While we work every day to bring new companies to South Carolina, it is always exciting to see one of our existing businesses expand,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We celebrate Martech Research’s investment in Bishopville and the 60 new jobs the company will create.”

In 2011, South Carolina recruited more than $4.7 billion in investment and more than 13,000 new jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“South Carolina has a long history in the chemical production industry and today’s announcement shows that this sector continues to thrive in our state,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Kitt. “Martech Research’s decision to expand in Lee County is another indication our business-friendly climate is helping companies grow.”

Local officials also welcomed the announcement.

“We are excited about Bio(logical) Solutions expanding its operations in Lee County,” said Lee County Councilman Gordon Eckley. “The new investment and job creation are great for the county’s economy and will allow our citizens the opportunity to gain employment with a strong company.”

“We value and appreciate what Martech Research has done, is doing and will do in Lee County and look forward to their continued growth in our community,” said Bishopville Mayor Alexander Boyd.

Martech Research plans to hold a ribbon cutting for the new facility later in the spring.

The company will begin hiring for the new positions this month. Anyone interested in job opportunities with the company should contact Denise McNeil at SCWORKS at (803) 432-5153.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a rural infrastructure grant worth $100,000 for the county to help with the building renovations.

Headquartered in South Carolina, Martech provides all-natural, custom-manufactured products to a host of globally-recognized businesses. The company is a global leader in green biological, microbial, synthetic and natural chemical products. For more information, visit www.martechresearch.com.

A college education just got a lot more affordable for a lucky group of local students.

Any ninth grade student enrolled in the Lee County School District or Robert E. Lee Academy can go to college free, thanks to a brand new scholarship program being offered at Central Carolina Technical College. Dr. Tim Hardee, CCTC president, was in Bishopville Monday afternoon to make the announcement with a few folks from the education and business community.

“Any current ninth grade student who graduates from high school in 2015 will receive a 2-year scholarship to Central Carolina,” Hardee said. “And we’d be delighted if we gave every ninth grader a scholarship.”

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must graduate on time in 2015 with at least a “C” average, and test ready for college level coursework.

Hardee said the goal is to get students into college as soon as they graduate from high school. “The average age of our students is 28,” he said. “Rather than waiting for 10 years before they go back to school, we want to get the students in college earlier.”

That’s an idea Lee County Economic Development Alliance Director Jeff Burgess hardily supports. “Prospective industries are more interested in whether a community has an existing and future workforce rather than in location and other incentives,” Burgess said. “They want to know they can get skilled workers. This program puts that into motion. You can have a workforce ready when an industry comes.”

Hardee said students have a choice of more than 60 programs to choose from at Central Carolina. “Or, if they want to earn a bachelor’s degree, they can get two years’ worth of undergraduate credit with us and transfer to a four-year college,” he said.

Robert E. Lee interim Head of School Maria Watson said she is “very excited about this opportunity for our students. Students will be finding out about this now, in ninth grade, so they have something to work for; they have a goal to work toward.”

Lee County Superintendent of Education Dr. Cleo Richardson said the scholarship program will “help students understand why it’s important to make good grades. What it means ultimately for their future is that this is an opportunity to become a productive citizen. The program will provide good skilled workers for industries that choose to come to Lee County.”

Rep. Grady Brown said the scholarship offer is “unbelievable, almost too good to be true. This is wonderful for our community. A college education at Central Carolina is already affordable but this means a student can get a degree for free and come out with a marketable skill. Dr. Hardee has done a remarkable job as the president of Central Carolina.”

Hardee and his staff plan to meet soon with the county’s ninth graders and their parents to answer questions about the scholarship. “One of the goals of the program is to encourage students to stay in school and keep their grades up,” he said. “The scholarship is the carrot at the end: do your work and the scholarship is there waiting for you.”

Hardee said Central Carolina already has a good relationship with Lee Central High School and Robert E. Lee. “We teach dual enrollment college classes for eligible students at both schools,” he said. “This is an extension of our partnership that will benefit the entire community. We want to get the word out. There’s nothing to sign up for; the scholarship will be there waiting when you graduate in 2015.”

Lee County Economic Development Alliance Executive Director Jeff Burgess said the funds will be used to support paving a road from U.S. 15 to a building currently used by the county for storage. The building is located behind Carolina Metal Finishing Company, which is located in the old National Guard Armory building on 547 South Main Street.

An option with Carolina Metal to buy the building ran out in November 2010, Burgess said.

“They haven’t decided if they’re going to expand or not,” Burgess said. “They could still buy the building, or we could sell it to another business or small industry.”

Burgess said the paving project could cost as much as $140,000.

“This is a drop in the bucket of what we will need for this project,” he said. “We want to make this property more attractive to a prospect buyer. For now, it is hard to get to the building from U.S. 15.”

Carolina Metal, a subsidiary of Paramount Metal Finishing Company headquartered in New Jersey, owns the former armory building and began operations in late 2006.

The Bishopville facility applies powder coating to sprinkler heads, and employs some 20 workers, according to Plant Manager John Gibart.

Burgess said the paving project would enable 18-wheelers to drive to the back of the facility, if the company decided to expand in the future.

The company’s expansion is linked to buying the building owned by the city and the county.

Stuart Ames, a Progress Energy representative, said the company’s contribution comes from the utility’s annual license fee credits and will go toward road improvements to support the county’s efforts to add jobs.

“We’re proud to be part of the team that helps stimulate the growth of Lee County,” Ames said. “The success of our company is directly linked to the growth and prosperity of the communities we serve. The infrastructure support we provide through these license fee credits is just one of the ways we work together with local counties to help existing industries grow.”

Burgess said Progress Energy has a long history of supporting economic development in South Carolina includes support for infrastructure, industrial park development and local leadership and marketing activities.

“On behalf of the Lee County Economic Development Alliance and Lee County Council, I can say we truly appreciate everything Progress Energy has done to assist us with this project,” Burgess said. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Progress Energy as we enter 2012.”

Lee County Councilman Gordon Eckley said local utility companies have been supportive of the county’s efforts to expand local industries.

“This is a good example of the county working hard and trying to find money from other sources to save our taxpayers’ money,” he said. “We’re grateful Progress Energy is willing to work with us to make this possible. The county has always tried to support local industries when they want to expand and add jobs.”

Ames said the license fee credits were made possible by the 1996 Rural Development Act, which permits certain utilities, transportation providers and electric cooperatives to claim a credit against their state business license fees for amounts paid in cash to provide infrastructure improvements to eligible projects.

To be considered eligible for funding, a project must meet certain requirements generally involving the creation of new jobs.

The Lee County Council is expected to give second reading to a fee in lieu agreement concerning Project Solution at a called meeting at 9:15 a.m. today at the Lee County Courthouse.

Biological Solutions, located at 310 Truman Road in the former Dorby Frocks building, is planning to expand its operation at its current facility.

Biological Solutions, owned by Benny and Amie Maresca, has been in operation in Bishopville for almost three years. The industry, which currently employs about 20 workers, manufactures safe cleaning products, food additives and flavoring products, according to Benny Maresca.

Maresca said the expansion will result in as many as 60 new jobs and will represent an investment of about $4 million.
“This has been a team effort,” Maresca said. “We have received great support from the county and the state. This expansion is going to take a lot of money in infrastructure, equipment and training. We will be able to invest in the expansion and not spend the money on taxes.”

Details of the fee in lieu agreement will be released at a public hearing scheduled at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 10 at the Lee County Courthouse, according to Lee County Economic Alliance Director Jeff Burgess.

Lee County Administrator Alan Watkins said the council is expected to give final approval to the agreement following the public hearing.

Burgess said the new jobs created by the expansion will provide salaries above the average county wage, which is $10.50 hour.

“They want to begin construction on the renovations during the first quarter,” Burgess said. “And they want to begin the hiring process soon. We are working to have a job fair in Bishopville for the industry. We want as many of the jobs to stay in Lee County as possible.”

Maresca said the company has established strong relationships with private and government businesses throughout the state.
“We want to attract government business,” he said.

The location of Biological Solutions in a depressed area with high unemployment works to the company’s favor, he said.
First reading approval of the Project Solution agreement was given by council at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

“This is something really important for the county, and we want to get this done as quickly as possible to allow Biological Solutions to begin work on the expansion,” Watkins said.

In May, Biological Solutions was recognized by the state for its performance in hiring people with disabilities. The company was named Small Employer of the Year by the South Carolina Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Watkins also announced the county is in the process of buying a facility located at the James Industrial Park, where it plans to relocate its EMS department.

Palmetto Paving Vice President Russell Faulk said the operation should be up and running no later than June 1.

Faulk said the Bishopville division will initially employ 30 workers, 50 by the fall and as many as 120 next year. He said the company will make a $3 million investment that includes acquiring property and a truck fleet and building construction.

Faulk said the building is being constructed off-site and is scheduled to arrive at the Lee County site April 12.

“It’ll take about a month to get everything ready after that,” Faulk said.

Faulk said the company currently has 300 workers, with 180 at its Conway headquarters. He said he expects the Bishopville division to be as successful as the Florence plant, which opened five years ago.

“We’re not here to run anybody out of business,” Faulk said. “But now when companies need asphalt, they have to go to Columbia or Sumter.”

Faulk said the Bishopville division would serve projects not only in Lee County, but in Kershaw, Chesterfield and Darlington counties.

“We already have several (state Department of Transportation) projects in this area now,” Faulk said.

“We\’re not only going to be paving your roads, but we’re going to be in the community. We\’re going to be involved in recreation programs, and not just your youth programs but right on to high school.”

Faulk said the Bishopville division will be seeking truck drivers, site workers and lab technicians immediately.

Lee Harrelson, the Bishopville division manager, said anyone interested in applying for work at Palmetto Paving can apply at the Bishopville site when an office is established next month.

“But they don\’t have to wait until April to apply for a job,” Harrelson said. “They can call the Conway office (at 1-800-340-2156) and ask for the human-resources person and tell them you want to apply for a job at the Bishopville division.”

Palmetto Paving representatives made the announcement following a meeting at which Lee County Council gave final approval to a zoning amendment to allow rural property to be used to produce gravel, paving and sand.

Faulk credited Palmetto Paving employee Ed Perdue for selecting the Bishopville site for the company’s expansion.

Perdue said the company considered two other sites before deciding on Bishopville.

“Actually, we were looking at primarily Williamsburg and Chesterfield counties, and we happened to be driving through Bishopville,\” he said. \”When I got back to the office, I looked up Lee County (Economic Development Alliance) on its Web site. And I was impressed.”

Perdue said it wasn’t long before he met with Jeff Burgess, executive director of the Lee County Economic Alliance, and county Councilman Gordon Eckley.

“Jeff and Gordon have been nothing but outstanding,” Perdue said. “You have two people here who are excellent promoters of your county. I had no idea how to go about getting property and going through the process of what had to be done. They were so receptive. They made it easy.”

Perdue said the decision to select Bishopville was also easy.

“I called Russell and told him we want to call Lee County home,” he said.

Lee County Council Chairman Charles Arthur Beasley pledged the county will continue to support Bishopville’s newest industry.

“We’ll be here for you not just now, but five years from now,” Beasley said. “We’re just glad you’re here. This is great news for Bishopville and Lee County.”

“We’re excited about Palmetto Paving choosing Lee County,” Eckley said. “And we’re excited about the prospect of more jobs coming to Lee County, and that\’s what it\’s all about. This has been a cooperative effort, and everybody on county council has been behind this 100 percent.”

Palmetto Paving Co. was established in Conway in 1963 with nine employees. Faulk said he joined the company in 1972, and the asphalt manufacturer established its Florence division in 2001.

The ceremony took place in Colum bia on January 26 at the Statehouse and highlighted 48 individuals from 46 coun ties for their exceptional efforts to bolster community and economic development activities in South Carolina.

Gov. Mark Sanford said improving “our South Carolina’s business climate and developing a skilled workforce have been priorities for our administration, these efforts alone are not enough.”

Sanford said the help and efforts of community and business leaders in every corner of the state are critically important.

“We say thank you to these ambas sadors for economic development for their efforts to create jobs and economic opportunity in South Carolina, he said.

After working in Charlotte until 2004, Santoscoy came to Lee County to work with South Atlantic Canners Inc., the largest private sector employer in Lee County. He is now leading efforts to expand operations at the plant. A section of Cousar Street was recently closed to allow for the expansion of the company.

Santoscoy also supports his company’s civic involvement. South Atlantic is a major contributor to the Palmetto Pride campaign and actively assists in the organization and participation of Lee County Pride Day.

Santoscoy opens the plant to host a cookout and awards presentation for the participants following a litter pick-up.

Under his direction, the plant also participates in numerous philanthropic organizations, including the Adopt-a- Highway program, and plays an active role in supporting local schools, churches and community groups.

Santoscoy is also an active member of the Santee Lynches Workforce Invest ment Board, the Santee Lynches One Stop Youth Committee and the Lee County Chamber of Commerce.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell said the state’s existing businesses are “one of our most valuable economic development tools. Job creation and industry promo tion begins on the ground level and is handled mostly in the private sector by these business leaders.”

Harrell thanked Santoscoy and all the Ambassadors for Economic Development for their “effective lead ership and for proving that our best resources lie not in the hands of government but reside in the private sector.”

Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce said small and large businesses have con tributed to South Carolina’s economy with investments, job creation and community involvement.

“This is a week to recognize the contributions of businesses and community leaders for their continued commitment to growing economic op portunity in South Carolina,” Taylor said. “These ambassa dors have dedicated their en ergy and gone the extra mile to enhance our communities and make South Carolina a better place to live and work. We congratulate each ambas sador and thank them for their efforts.”

Each year the Department of Commerce joins local communities to thanks businesses for their vital contributions to South Carolina’s economy.

The Department of Commerce kicks off Industry Appreciation Week each year by recognizing individuals throughout South Carolina as Ambassadors for Economic Development.

These individuals include local leaders from the private sector representing a variety of businesses and economic development organizations committed to securing new jobs and investment in their communities.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer

BISHOPVILLE — The Fourth of July has come a little early for the employees of Ahlstrom Inc., located in the Interstate 20 Industrial Park on Browntown Road.

A Family Day and Employee Appreciation Day was held Wednesday as the plant’s 100 employees and family members were treated to hamburgers and hot dogs and a tour of the facility.

Plant General Manager Wayne Merritt said the company had an employee appreciation day in 2008 and decided to expand the event in 2009.

As many as 500 people were expected to take part in the cookout and tour.

“We wanted son and daughter and in some cases mom and dad to see what we do here,” Merritt said.

At the Bishopville plant, Ahlstrom produces fabric for windmill blades. Despite the economic slowdown internationally, the demand for Ahlstrom’s product remains high, Merritt said.

“Because of the credit crunch, we had a slow down for a while,” he said. “But things are picking up. There’s a huge demand for alternative energy, and as the cost of fuel rises, the demand increases.”

Nemiah Tention said he appreciated the opportunity to see where his son — Leon Tention — works as a maintenance technician.

“My son’s got a good job,” he said. “I’m glad to get to come and see what he does.”

Leon Tention, a resident of Sumter County, has worked at Ahlstrom for 16 months and is responsible for making sure the machines and equipment are operational.

“This shows the company has an interest in our family,” he said. “And it’s good to meet the family of our co-workers.”

Ahlstrom opened its Bishopville facility in 2006. It is a global manufacturer of nonwoven materials, using natural and synthetic fibers for customers who turn them into hundreds of products.

Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.

At Tuesday’s meeting, council gave first reading to an ordinance that would extend an option to Carolina Metal Finishing Co. to purchase the building located behind the National Guard Armory. The Lee County Parks and Recreation Department is currently using the building for storage.

The council took the action following an executive session with Lee County Economic Alliance Executive Director Jeff Burgess.

Carolina Metal acquired the National Guard Armory from the city and county a couple of years ago and had an option to buy the building behind the armory. The option ends in November, and the company is asking for an extension of one year until November 2010, Burgess said

Carolina Metal Finishing Co., a subsidiary of Paramount Metal Finishing, currently employs 25 people in a powder metal coating operation at the old armory facility, Burgess said.

“They want to expand and put in another line,” Burgess said. “They are looking at the expansion for either the Bishopville facility or in New Jersey.”

The expansion would likely add 10 to 25 jobs to the Bishopville operation, Burgess said.

The council is expected to give second reading and final approval to the option extension at its next meeting.

Following Tuesday’s meeting, council held a budget workshop to discuss the needs for fiscal year 2009-2010. Council met with Street Superintendent Jerry Adams and Finance Director Suzette Robinson to discuss their department needs. At a workshop in April, the council met with Utilities Director Mike Deas to discuss needs in the water and sewer departments.

The purpose of the budget workshop meetings is to identify priority needs and to estimate expected revenue, Bishopville City Administrator Gregg McCutchen said.

“Everybody is trying to be very frugal about their budgets,” McCutchen said. “They are not coming in asking for the sky.”

The city council holds meetings or workshops at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Colclough Building on East Council Street.

Expansion plans were put on hold in September after the city notified South Atlantic Canners that it could not support closing a section of Cousar Street that officials said was a prerequisite for expansion.

Lee County Council has begun action that will enable it to petition the 3rd Judicial Circuit Court to close a section of Cousar Street located in front of the warehouse. Plant Manager Troy Santoscoy said corporate officials met Wednesday with a representative of county council and Lee County Director of Economic Alliance Jeff Burgess.

“Coke has agreed to write a letter to the county council asking it to go ahead with closing the road,” Santoscoy said. “This is good news.”

Burgess agreed Coke’s continued interest in expanding its facility in Bishopville is good news for the entire community.

“We want Coke to know we support them,” he said. “And they have let us know that they support our efforts in closing the road.”

More than 100 people packed the main courtroom of the Lee County Courthouse at the first public hearing, with most in attendance apparently in support of the road closure.

County officials have said they are taking the action because the city didn’t. City officials insist they do not have the resources to maintain the section of Cousar Street that will remain open after the road is closed.

County Council Chairman Charles Arthur Beasley said council will do whatever is necessary to support Coke in its plans to expand.

“This is coming at a time when most companies are considering cutting back,” he said. “You don’t have that many companies willing to expand. We have to take advantage of this and support Coca-Cola. They are the county’s largest industry.”

A second public hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the courthouse. Council has given the ordinance two readings, and a third reading could take place at Tuesday’s meeting, Beasley said.

“This is about more jobs, a better tax base and a better quality of life,” he said.