SCBIZ Daily Staff

MARION COUNTY -- A $17 million investment will bring up to 40 manufacturing jobs to one of the most economically depressed counties in the state.

Carolina AAC LLC will locate a manufacturing facility in Marion County where the company will produce Autoclaved Aerated Concrete for commercial and residential use. The company will be a catalyst for creating numerous “green” construction jobs throughout the Southeast, said the S.C. Department of Commerce in making the announcement.

Carolina AAC, LLC’s manufacturing plant is a natural extension of its marketing, distribution, installation, and development work related to Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC).  AAC is a specialized lightweight masonry building material often specified by architects for use in the construction of commercial and residential structures.  AAC offers an energy-efficient and fire resistant alternative to standard building materials used in the construction of load bearing and non-load bearing wall systems.

“Many municipalities are mandating that commercial and residential structures meet stringent environmental standards as part of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Energy Star or similar certification. In fact, South Carolina became the most recent state to make LEED certification compulsory for all publically funded projects," said Charles Paterno, Carolina AAC managing member.

Paterno said that having a local source of a “green” material supply that will reduce energy cost by as much as 40% should be welcomed news for customers looking to build homes, schools, libraries, hospitals or other structures.

AAC is one of only a few construction materials to combine environmental certification with fire safety, he said.

“We are pleased to open our first manufacturing operation in Marion County, and we appreciate the assistance local and state officials have demonstrated,” he said.

Marion County is frequently at the top in unemployment numbers among South Carolina counties. The county has lost a number of manufacturing jobs in recent years and used to have the state's largest tobacco market in Mullins.

The latest figures from the S.C. Employment Security Commission lists Marion County's unemployment for April at 11.6% against a statewide rate of 5.9%. The only county with a higher rate is Allendale at more than 13%.

Although relatively new to the United States, AAC has been a preferred building material in Europe for more than 80 years. Beyond the product’s energy efficient, fire resistant, and structural attributes, it also offers significant sound proofing and mold resistance.

“Carolina AAC’s decision to locate in South Carolina is another positive sign that our efforts to improve the state’s economic soil conditions are working to promote business growth throughout the state,” said Gov. Mark Sanford.

The company’s site in Marion County will service customers in approximately a 300-mile radius focusing upon the Carolinas, Virginia and surrounding states.

“We are excited about Carolina AAC choosing Marion County for their new manufacturing facility," said Frank Jones, executive director, Marion County Economic Development Commission. "This is a top quality company that provides products which are greatly needed in the green construction industry. The job opportunities to be created will have a significant positive impact on our community.”