Water filtration engineering and design company expanding Richland County operations

Listen to this article

Wastewater filtration system engineering and design company AVANTech LLC is expanding its Richland County operations with a $3.6 million investment expected to create 17 jobs.  

AVANTech, founded in 1999 in South Carolina, provides technological services for its custom systems to improve operations in commercial nuclear, government and industrial applications. Its worldwide clients include nuclear energy customers such as the U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site.   

The expansion of the company’s 30-acre facility at 2050 American Italian Way in Columbia, which will increase support capacity for its design, engineering and fabrication services, will be completed in stages throughout 2025.  

“South Carolina is a great place to start a small business,” Jim Braun, AVANTech president, said in a news release. “Since Tracy Barker, my co-founder, and I started the business 22 years ago, we have grown to over 200 employees serving over 15 countries due to the support of the state. We have provided solutions to many of the world’s toughest problems, including radioactive water treatment after the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan and the U.S. Department of Energy high-level radioactive liquid waste tanks.” 

Employment information is available at the AVANTech’s careers webpage.  

 “AVANTech’s expansion in Richland County is a testament to our community as a wonderful place to operate a business,” Richland County Council Chair Paul Livingston said. “Council is pleased with the company’s decision to continue growing here with support from our tremendous workforce.” 

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify company information.