(AP) A tissue maker in Anderson, South Carolina is working on an expansion that is expected to add at least 200 jobs. First Quality Enterprises is clearing land at its plant for a third tissue-making machine, the Anderson Independent-Mail reported. Anderson County economic development authorities said they could not talk about the company's plans. The company already employs about 500 people to operate the two machines at the Anderson plant.
First Quality spokesman Nick Simeon Simeonidis told the newspaper the company is making preparations for the construction of the new machine at the site. "As can be seen when driving by our facility, the First Quality Tissue SE expansion area is currently being graded and prepared for construction of the paper machine and associated converting and warehousing assets," Simeonidis said. An economic-incentive package approved by Anderson County Council in 2010 required a minimum investment of $500 million and the creation of 400 jobs by the end of 2015. The company already has met those requirements.
First Quality invests about $250 million each time a new tissue machine goes into production.