Sopakco Expanding its Marion County Operation
Staff Reports
A processed foods company is expanding its Marion County operations.
Sopakco is expanding its Marion County operations, according to a news release issued by the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Sopakco’s expansion, which includes constructing a new facility to house its corporate offices, is designed to increase manufacturing capacity and flexibility.
The company is investing more than $12.5 million on a three-phase expansion that is expected to create 25 new jobs.
“Sopakco has experienced great success in South Carolina,” Sopakco President Lonnie Thompson said. “This is the third expansion in Marion County in the past five years. The value that Marion County brings through its business-friendly climate and quality workforce has allowed us to thrive here, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”
Sopakco has been a job creator in Marion County for several decades, Marion County Council Chairman Buddy Collins said.
“It is a great thing that they will expand and remain in our county,” Collins said. “We are here to help and assist Sopakco in any way that they need.”
This latest expansion by Sopakco proves that South Carolina is a perfect place to do business, S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster said.
“Congratulations to Sopakco for all of its success, and we look forward to watching the company grow and thrive here for many years to come,” McMaster said.
The ongoing success of Sopakco in Marion County is a testament to South Carolina’s status as a leader in food processing, S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt said.
“We applaud Sopakco on this latest expansion and look forward to their continued success,” Hitt said.
Sopakco’s continued investment in rural South Carolina is another great example of the potential of the state’s value-added agricultural sector and its contribution to agribusiness, S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers said.
“I am thrilled with their growth and the additional 25 jobs this expansion will create for rural South Carolina,” Weathers said.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $250,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Marion County to assist with the costs of site preparation and infrastructure improvements.
In 1943, Sopakco was founded out of the need for military food rations. More than 70 years later, the company remains one of the top providers of meals ready to eat, commonly known as MREs, to the U.S. military. In addition to emergency meal rations, Sopakco has evolved to become a cutting-edge food processing company for major national and international brands. The company is headquartered at 118 S. Cypress Street in Marion County.
Individuals interested in careers at Sopakco can visit Sopakco.com/careers/.
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