Source: South Carolina Department of Commerce and Georgetown County, Columbia
Lowcountry Paver LLC will expand its South Carolina presence with a $5 million plant on a 30-acre, Georgetown County Commerce Park site, augmenting an existing operation in Hardeeville. A division of Lowcountry Block LLC, it plans an initial payroll at the 40,000-sq.-ft. Georgetown plant of 20, potentially doubling that at a later date.

"We had the option of going south towards Florida or north towards Charleston and Myrtle Beach [for expansion]. Georgetown will allow us to service [those Carolina] coastal areas much more affordably," says Lowcountry Paver President Thomas Curry. "We also believe in supporting our community and the environment and providing high paying jobs with full benefits to people that live within the community." Founded in 2001, privately-held Lowcountry Paver is South Carolina's only American-owned concrete paving stone, retaining wall and pool coping producer, he adds.

"[The] company's expansion in South Carolina is a testament that our business-friendly climate and access to markets are creating opportunities throughout the state," affirms state Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor.