The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Kershaw County and the Central SC Alliance recently announced that Southeast Renewable Energy will build its new renewable energy facility in Kershaw County. The $50 million investment is expected to generate 20 new jobs over the next five years.
Company President and CEO Raine Cotton said that Southeast Renewable Energy is “working diligently to get the last few steps of the project worked out; including permitting, that will allow the project to begin construction in early 2011.”
Southeast Renewable Energy will build a 15-megawatt biomass energy plant in Kershaw County that will be fueled using timber residues. The company will sell the green power to Santee Cooper, and the plant is expected to be completed in late 2012. It is expected that the new plant will also create many indirect jobs in the logging, trucking and forest product industries.
“South Carolina continues to see an increasing number of opportunities in both the energy and forestry sectors of our economy, and Southeast Renewable Energy’s investments utilize our state’s unique skills and resources in these sectors. By fostering a business-friendly climate and focusing on building a skilled workforce, South Carolina is well positioned to attract new investments from companies like Southeast Renewable Energy and this in turn means job opportunities for workers in our state. We appreciate Southeast Renewable Energy’s investment and look forward to its success in the state,” said Joe Taylor, Secretary of Commerce.
The company also has plans for similar plants in Dorchester County and Allendale County. The company has an agreement to sell green power in both cases to Santee Cooper for 30 years.
“Kershaw County is pleased to welcome Southeast Renewable Energy to our corporate community. The company will join an already strong local timber industry in Kershaw County and should set the stage for future energy companies to locate in our area,” stated Max Ford, chairman of Kershaw County Council.
“Central South Carolina has emerged as the Clean Energy Region with a steady flow of energy related projects. This is due in part to the cluster that has developed around the core competencies that exists with our workforce in the sector. We congratulate Southeast Renewable Energy on this announcements and what they are doing to keep our environment clean and green,” said Central SC Alliance Chairman Jim Apple.
The company will begin requesting applications for the positions in early 2012.
Southeast Renewable Energy was founded in 2000 and is a growing leader in the biomass energy market. The company’s focus is on developing biomass facilities with strategic partners and helping others navigate the development phase. For more information, please visit www.serenew.com
About S.C. Department of Commerce
The S.C. Department of Commerce works closely with economic development professionals throughout the state to recruit new jobs and investments and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has been recognized for its success in the areas of job creation and economic impact by Area Development and Business Facilities magazines. The S.C. Department of Commerce was one of 10 state economic development organizations to receive Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award in 2009 and Commerce received the 2009 Deal of the Year award from Business Facilities magazine. Southern Business & Development also awarded the S.C. Department of Commerce the “Deal of the Year” for the 2010 SB&D 100. Commerce received the recognitions for Boeing’s selection of North Charleston for the company’s second final assembly plant to support the 787 Dreamliner program. In addition to job and investment recruitment, the agency provides a range of business support services and offers grants for community development and infrastructure improvements. For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.