BARNWELL — Barnwell soon will welcome nearly 140 more jobs to the area and, according to Jeff Schoen, they are not minimum-wage jobs - they're technical jobs that will pay well and boost the local economy, he said.
Schoen, president & CEO of Orchids Paper Products Co., attended the groundbreaking for the company's upcoming facility in Barnwell, located in Airport Industrial Park off Joey Zorn Boulevard. Construction already started with plans to start up in the first quarter of 2016.
According to Orchids, the company will build an integrated tissue paper facility in Barnwell with a paper-making capacity of between 35,000 and 40,000 tons per year and converting capacity between 30,000 and 32,000 tons per year.
The project is expected to cost anywhere from $110 million to $125 million and will bring an estimated 134 jobs to the area.
"People will be trained and receive ongoing training, both technical as well as working in a high-performance environment.
"So it's going to be a good thing for people in this area," Schoen said.
One of the leaders of the area, Barnwell County Council Chairman David Kenner, echoed Schoen's words in stating that Orchids coming to the area was based on building relationships. Kenner said the jobs coming to the area are much needed, and that the economic development officials were instrumental in securing the deal.
"This is yet another positive step in improving our local economy and the lives who are affected by it," Kenner said. "It's a blessed day for Barnwell County."
S.C. Rep. Lonnie Hosey, D-Barnwell, said the acquisition of Orchids reflects the employment attitude of the S.C. Statehouse. He added that it's also positive for Barnwell graduates who are seeking employment, stating they can look right there in their hometown.
"It's good for our people so they can be productive in our community," Hosey said.
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley was unable to attend due to the recent tragedy in Charleston, but Schoen added she was instrumental in securing the deal with Orchids.
Teresa Powers, the senior project manager for the S.C. Department of Commerce, said the investment made in the community creates more opportunities for local residents.
"This type of investment in Barnwell in a rural area of the state will have a real impact on the people here and in the surrounding area," Powers said.
Schoen said people can begin applying for jobs in August. He said there already are talks of potentially expanding in the area once the first plant is grounded and positioned for such a move.
"This site is big enough to double the size of what we're currently putting in. So a second plant is in our thought process, and we'll see how it goes before we get to that point," Schoen said.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the paper since June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.