Richland County, SC (WLTX) - A China-based company is set to begin construction on a $300 million facility in Richland County, and bring with it 400 manufacturing jobs.
China Jushi is one of the leading manufacturers in fiberglass products.
On Thursday morning, company executives as well as South Carolina state officials, Richland County Council members and Lt. Governor Henry McMaster held a groundbreaking for the facility.
“It’s a great day in South Carolina,” says Lt. Gov. McMaster. “This year we are poised to lead the nation in good strong economic development. So we are delighted to have China Jushi here."
The plant will be located on 900 acres off of Richland County’s Pineview Rd. This area is no stranger to manufacturing businesses.
Richland County Council Chairman Torrey Rush says China Jushi is the spark that the county needs.
“We feel like a company of this size, with the amount of vendors and suppliers that come along with it, we now have a shot at some additional investments in the county,” says Rush.
Councilwoman Dahli Myers, who oversees Richland County’s 10th district says residents are ready for the potential jobs.
“This is a really good place for Jushi to have locate,” says Myers. “They will find a ready and able workforce. Jushi will do a lot of their own training, but they will find people who are highly skilled and talented and people who are capable of learning.”
Not only will the company bring jobs to the county, but the company will also bring new customers to Jed’s Place, the only restaurant along Pineview Rd.
“I would hope for a lot more lunch business,” says John Dinkins, owner of Jed’s Place.
Dinkins has owned the restaurant for 12 years and always gets business from those working in the manufacturing plans in the Pineview Industrial Park.
“I get a lot of business from the plants and stuff so this will definitely help."
Dinkins is excited about the new company calling Richland County home.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2018.
For more information on China Jushi click on the link here.