SC: Birdsong Corp. Opens New $47.3M Facility in Darlington County

Birdsong Corporation, a Virginia-based company that processes peanuts for marketing and distribution worldwide, will locate a new facility in Darlington County. The $47.3 million investment is expected to create 55 new jobs over a five-year period.

Beginning as a storage company in 1911, Birdsong Peanuts has become a world leader in the peanut industry. The company is headquartered in Suffolk, Va., and operates plants in Georgia, Texas and Virginia, supplying product both domestically and internationally. The Darlington facility is expected to be operational by September, according to the company.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits and a $500,000 rural infrastructure fund grant for building and site improvements.

QUOTES

"I'm happy that Birdsong Peanuts is coming to the Darlington community to build our new facility and we look forward to working with the agribusiness and business community in Darlington County for many years to come. It's been a pleasure to get the project to this point. We're looking forward to the construction phase and getting online by September." -Fred Garner, Birdsong procurement manager

"Announcing 55 new jobs coming to Darlington County is great news for the state and the local community. We applaud Birdsong Peanuts for their investment of $47.3 million and for the major role they play in the continued growth of our state's agribusiness sector." - Gov. Nikki Haley

"When a new business comes into South Carolina, it speaks volumes about our workforce. It echoes to the nation that we are just right for business. I am excited to see what the future has in store for Birdsong and their new home in Darlington County." -Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt

"Birdsong Corporation recognizes the value of South Carolina agribusiness, and I am pleased to see the company increasing its presence here.  Peanuts have become a very important crop for our state, and this new facility will add value to this crop for South Carolina farmers and this sector of agribusiness," -Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers

"More than $47 million and 55 jobs shows a real dedication to our region and it demonstrates that we're not just partnering with the right kind of businesses, but we're moving in the right direction in how we're targeting industries. With our agribusiness initiative and the success we've had with companies such as Birdsong Corporation, it's clear that we're on the right path to making the northeast region of South Carolina even better."- North Eastern Strategic Alliance's (NESA) Executive Committee Chairman, Senator Yancey McGill

"Birdsong brings a long history of success and reputation of excellence to our community. Their investment in capital and job creation in the agri-business field opens doors of opportunity for our farming community." -Frank Willis, executive director Darlington County Economic Development Partnership

"We welcome Birdsong Corporation to Darlington County. We particularly appreciate their capital investment and job creation for our citizens. Birdsong Corporation is a leader in their industry and we are pleased they have chosen Darlington County to expand their operations." - Wesley Blackwell, chairman of Darlington County Council

FIVE FAST FACTS

• Birdsong will open a new facility in Darlington in September 2014.
• $47.3 million investment expected to create 55 new jobs.
• Began as a storage company in 1911, now a world leader in the peanut industry.
• Headquartered in Suffolk, Va., and operates plants in Georgia, Texas and Virginia, supplying product both domestically and internationally.
• The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits and a $500,000 rural infrastructure fund grant for building and site improvements.

About S.C. Department of Commerce 

As South Carolina's leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. Commerce has recruited world-class companies to South Carolina such as Boeing, Bridgestone, Continental, Monster.com, ZF Group, BMW and Google Inc. and also supports small and existing business, rural development initiatives and community development. Commerce partners with the S.C. Technical College System via readySC to support workforce training and recruiting, and with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, which provides worker training and employment opportunities within the state. South Carolina ranked first in the national for attracting jobs through foreign investment, according to IBM-Plant Location International reports in both 2012 and 2013.  For more information, visit www.SCcommerce.com.