SUMTER, S.C. — Almost $24 million is going into Sumter County, and 20 new jobs are coming to the area.
On Wednesday, Nova Molecular Technologies announced it is expanding its operations.
The high-purity solvents manufacturer has expanded to four locations throughout the area after moving to Sumter in 2014.
"This is really, you know, the next phase in the Racetrack Road build out," Nova CEO and President Christopher Adams said. "Phase one was all the infrastructure and some basic assets to begin operations. But then this next phase that we're investing in is really about bringing a new process that is going to make us unique in the world in some of the materials that we produce."
Adams said the company began in Texas and expanded into Sumter, ultimately divesting in the Texas location and focusing on growth within the Gamecock City.
"We've really had nothing but a positive experience operating in South Carolina and specifically Sumter. You know, the local and state governments, the economic development team have all been super helpful in helping us achieve our objectives, but you know, really it's the people in Sumter," Adams said. "The folks that we can go out and hire to become part of the Nova team. You know, they make all the difference."
While Nova benefits from Sumter, Sumter Economic Development Project Manager Brian Rauschenbach says the community is also benefitting.
"This expansion, basically, it means it's $24 million, almost $24 million in new investment to the community and 20 additional jobs that are high-paying, highly technical, that will be value add to the community," Rauschenbach said. "It'll be great opportunities for people that live here, as well as some people that may be recruited from other colleges and universities across the United States."
"It's more property tax revenue for the county, for the school district," he added. "It's employment opportunities for people which then helps to grow the per capita income of the community, of which other people, other companies can go and look at and say, 'Well, if they can do it, they can invest here and our community is growing, then maybe we can come here and invest there and be successful and grow as well."
Rauschenbach says 17% of the labor force is in manufacturing in Sumter County. He said having Nova Molecular, along with other companies like Continental Tires and eVAC, coming in "align perfectly with our industry clusters that are targeted industry clusters for us."
That expansion is expected to be finished by 2028.
