Georgia-Pacific investing $40 million to expand operations in SC county

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Tissue and pulp manufacturer Georgia-Pacific is investing $40 million in an expansion of its Clarendon County operations.

Founded in 1927, Georgia-Pacific is a global manufacturer and marketers of consumer tissue and tableware products; building products; paper-based packaging; cellulose and specialty fibers; nonwoven fabrics; and related chemicals. The Clarendon County facility, located at 8250 Sumter Highway in Alcolu, is one of five S.C. manufacturing facilities operated by the Atlanta-based company, which employers more than 900 workers.

The expansion is expected to be completed in 2023 and will include the addition of a third strander, which processes wood logs into strands used in manufacturing-oriented strand boards, to increase production capacity.

“The Clarendon OSB facility is an important part of Georgia-Pacific’s ability to produce best-in-class wood products and meet demand in a state with a strong housing market,” Andy Konieczka, president of Georgia-Pacific’s structural panels division, said in a news release from economic development organization Central SC Alliance. “This addition will get us further down the road to realizing the facility’s full potential.” 

Employment information is available on the company’s careers page at https://www.gp.com/careers.

“We welcome Georgia Pacific’s expansion plans in Clarendon County,” Clarendon County Council Chair Dwight L. Stewart Jr. said. “We pride ourselves on making sure our existing industries have everything they need to be successful. This solidifies our commitment to Georgia-Pacific, and we thank them for being a fantastic corporate citizen.” 

Central SC Alliance Chairman Matthew Shaffer, who took over that role from outgoing chair Keller Kissam last month, applauded the announcement.

“Georgia-Pacific’s multimillion-dollar investment isn’t just advancing the company’s capabilities for the future, it’s improving current and future opportunities for Clarendon County as well,” said Shaffer, senior vice president at BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. “It’s always exciting to see the commitment companies have in building on their local presence.”