Electric company will build manufacturing facility in expansion to Clarendon County
BY KAREEM WILSON
kareem@theitem.com
MANNING – Westinghouse Electric Co. LLC will build a new manufacturing facility that will generate 44 jobs in Clarendon County, with the $24.5 million investment becoming the largest capital investment by a company in the county in more than 10 years.
The company announced Tuesday it will expand its welding and machining capabilities at the new facility near Interstate 95 in the Clarendon County Industrial Park on Joe Rogers Jr. Boulevard in Manning and expects operations to be completed by the end of January 2021.
The $24.5 million investment includes machinery or equipment, land, the building and any other improvements the company makes toward the facility.
“We’re grateful to see the expansion of Westinghouse with its new location in Clarendon County,” said W. Keller Kissam, Central SC Alliance chairman. “As a global supplier and innovator in alternate energy, Westinghouse is helping fuel the future of energy around the world and providing fruitful employment opportunities for our local workforce.”
The 134-year-old innovative technology company offers nuclear products and service internationally and specializes in advanced nuclear plant designs, nuclear fuel, instrumentation, service and maintenance and control systems. The company has employed between 50-100 temporary welders and technicians to construct the Manning facility.
Westinghouse began hiring in early December and will do so until late January. Anyone interested in job opportunities at the new facility can apply on the company’s website.
After much anticipation about the revealing of the new project, the Clarendon County Development Board welcomed Westinghouse to the county in a news release Tuesday after Clarendon County Council approved a tax incentive for the facility, hoping the new business will boost economic growth by adding to the workforce in the rural area. Clarendon County had a 4.9% unemployment rate in November, a slight increase from October’s 4.7% but a decrease from September’s 5.6%, according to the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce.
“On behalf of Clarendon County Council, we would like to welcome Westinghouse to the Clarendon County Industrial Park,” said Dwight Stewart, Clarendon County Council chairman. “We look forward to many years of future success.”