Lowcountry Oyster Company is expanding its operations with the construction of a $6.4 million seafood processing and cross-dock facility in Green Pond, South Carolina. The Colleton County facility is projected to create 30 new jobs.
With a state-of-the-art chilled water wet storage system and climate-controlled processing and holding areas, including over 10,000 square feet of refrigerated space, the facility will be the first of its kind in the state.
In addition to increasing Lowcountry Oyster Co.’s production from 5,000 oysters to 20,000 oysters an hour, the new facility can also serve other seafood producers and buyers.
“This expansion will allow us to reach more oyster lovers than ever before in the Southeast and beyond,” said Trey McMillan, Lowcountry Oyster Co. founder and owner. “Giving back to the community has always been important to us as a company, so we are excited about bringing economic opportunity to this area.”
The project is supported in part by a grant from the South Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Growing Agribusiness Fund, which was created in 2023 to increase the capacity of companies in South Carolina engaged in the processing, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, storage, and transportation of agricultural products.
“Lowcountry Oyster Co. is a true South Carolina agribusiness success story,” said South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers. “I’m thrilled that their continuing success will benefit rural South Carolina and our seafood industry as a whole.”
The project was also supported by Colleton County and the SouthernCarolina Alliance.
“Colleton County salutes Lowcountry Oyster Company for their commitment to grow their seafood production operations in our community, and we are proud of both the fine workforce and the beautiful Lowcountry landscape that work together to bring their oysters and other seafood to market,” said Steve Murdaugh, Chairman of Colleton County Council. “We are grateful for the 30 full-time jobs that are being created, and we look forward to working with the LowCo team to expand their opportunities in Colleton County for years to come.”
“Congratulations to Colleton County on the announcement of new jobs and additional investment by Lowcountry Oyster Company!” said Marty Sauls, chairman of SouthernCarolina Alliance. “SouthernCarolina Alliance appreciates the 30 new jobs created by Lowcountry Oyster Company’s expanded oyster production and seafood crossdocking facility, as every good job provides an opportunity for a family in our region. We extend our gratitude to the company for investing in our community and our people and to the South Carolina Department of Agriculture for supporting SouthernCarolina Alliance’s thriving agribusiness sector. We look forward to working with the Lowcountry Oyster Co. team and enjoying their delicious products in the years to come.”
Carbotech To Invest $3.4M Into South Carolina Operation
Carbotech Group, an equipment manufacturer for the sawmill industry, will establish its first South Carolina operations in Spartanburg County. The $3.4 million investment will create 35 new jobs.
Founded in Canada in 1987, Carbotech specializes in operational efficiency for sawing and planing mills. The company produces log handling and wood processing optimization equipment tailored to customer needs.
Carbotech purchased a 14,000-square-foot facility to manufacture and store the company’s equipment and spare parts. The new operation will also house a training center for employees.The facility is online and expected to be fully operational by 2026.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project. The council also awarded a $100,000 Set-Aside grant to Spartanburg County to assist with the costs of building improvements.
“Establishing a manufacturing facility in North America aligns with our growth strategy, especially for the green transition, supporting our customers’ needs for local supplies and local content. We have identified a great growth potential across all our segments in the Americas. Our team worked closely with the state of South Carolina, the county of Anderson and the Upstate Alliance business development team. Their collective efforts and cooperation were instrumental in determining the optimal location for our investment,” said Carbotech Group Managing Director of U.S. Operations Jon Comber.
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South Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Harry M. Lightsey III, said, “As a producer for the sawmill industry, Carbotech’s new operation in Spartanburg County will be a notable addition to our state’s manufacturing and forestry sectors, while also providing new opportunities for our people. South Carolina congratulates Carbotech on this exciting announcement.”
