A new Seafood Processing Facility to Boost Job Creation in Green Pond
Hey y’all! Guess what? It’s exciting times for the folks of Green Pond in South Carolina as things are about to get fishy in a good way. A big shellfish business from the Lowcountry is splashing its operations onto the rural parts of Green Pond. There’s talk of not just job opportunities coming to the town, but also a boost in the local economy.
Making Waves with Expansion
The Charleston-born Lowcountry Oyster Company has got its construction boots on, doggedly working on a massive 15,000-square-foot seafood processing facility. Prepare to be blown away because this big boy aims to churn out a whopping 20,000 oysters every hour. That’s a huge step up from their current 5,000-an-hour processing rate. The plan? To send these juicy mollusks right across our country.
Spurring Local Economy with State Funding
Now, if you’re wondering how they’re pulling off something this big, let’s talk money. A cool $6.4 million has been thrown into this project, courtesy of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture. Yes, you heard it right! The department handed out $40 million last year as part of its “Growing Agribusiness” fund initiative. All this cash is helping the big players in the farming sector to process and distribute local products.
First Refrigerated Space in the Region
This feature is probably what sets them apart. This facility will house a whopping 10,000-square-foot refrigerated area. So seafood can be stored safely for a longer period. Company heads say it’s a state-first!
More Jobs for the Community
Trey McMillan, the brain behind the Lowcountry Oyster Company, is excited about this new project. A rural place like Green Pond will now have at least 30 new jobs coming in. According to him, every job counts, and with this expansion, they’re hoping to give the local folks here more opportunities to earn a living.
Collaboration with Local Fishermen
McMillan was quick to mention one more thing that’s got the folks here excited. The new facility is not just going to process oysters; who knows where it might lead! It’s a possibility that local fishermen’s products might soon get processed and shipped right from Green Pond. Now if that isn’t community support, don’t know what is!
The Future Looks Bright
The construction is still happening, but plans are that by early 2025, the building will be ready for operations. Meanwhile, they’re also on the lookout for local fishermen to partner up. If you’re interested, you can contact them at 843-844-2400 or shoot an email at Info@lowcooysters.com.
