SCHotline Press Releases

Graniteville, South Carolina, August 29, 2007—Today, Woodhead, LLC, the owners of Graniteville Specialty Fabrics shared their plans for the purchase of new equipment and the expansion of their facility in Graniteville, South Carolina with federal, state and local officials during a $740,000 check presentation from USDA Rural Development and Aiken Electric Cooperative. 

Graniteville Specialty Fabrics plans to construct additional office space for their production facility in Graniteville. They will use a zero interest loan of $740,000 for the expansion and to purchase new boilers, communication equipment, plant lighting and environmental equipment. USDA Rural Development provided the loan to Aiken Electric Cooperative who in turn will provide a zero interest loan for ten years to Woodhead, LLC for economic development. 

The loan marks an important step forward in the revitalization of Graniteville. The project site is located at the old Avondale Mills manufacturing facility at 511 Leitner Street in Graniteville. 

Graniteville Specialty Fabrics produces a wide variety of fabrics for both apparel and industrial uses. The company offers more than 50 products for a variety of end uses, with a focus on awning and marine applications. The company’s two year plan builds on its technical expertise to enter highly specialized niche markets, as well as broadening the current market position of the company.  The company anticipates the addition of another 20 to 30 jobs to the current staffing.

“This is great news for the Graniteville community and specifically the Woodhead property.  We all remember the tragedy, and subsequent mill closure, the community has suffered over the past few years and it was been heartwarming to watch them come together to rebuild,” said Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC, 3).  “There is still a lot of work to be done, and they can’t do it alone - a fact that USDA Rural Development and Aiken Electric Coop have clearly recognized.  I thank them for their contribution to the community, this money will go a long way to create new jobs and bolster the local economy.”

“Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. is dedicated to our community and its economic development, including the revitalization of Graniteville as evidenced today by the $740,000 loan to Graniteville Specialty Fabrics,” said Gary Stooksbury, CEO of Aiken Electric Cooperative.  “The cooperative has invested in excess of $5 million on economic development projects in our region and that’s just one of the ways Aiken Electric “makes real” our commitment to community.  These efforts pay off in new jobs, increased tax base, expanded industry mix and opportunities for our children. We appreciate the contributions of everyone who helped make today a reality.”

Tee Miller, State Director for USDA Rural Development said, “Aiken Electric Cooperative and Woodhead are to be commended for working together with the Rural Development Business Program to promote economic development and help to revitalize rural communities such as Graniteville. I also want to thank our congressional delegation for their hard work and dedication in bringing federal dollars back into South Carolina.

AEC is a not-for-profit, Touchstone Energy electric cooperative, and serves more than 42,000 members in a nine-county service territory. Along with more than 600 Touchstone Energy partners across the nation, Aiken Electric is committed to the core values of integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.  The Touchstone Energy symbol is an assurance that Aiken Electric is a community-minded electric cooperative providing high standards of service for customers large and small.  For more information visit the cooperative’s website at http://www.aikenco-op.org.

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to deliver programs in a way that will support increasing economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.  Rural Development promotes economic development by providing loan and grant programs to finance and foster growth in business development, homeownership, and critical community and technology infrastructure.  For more information regarding USDA Rural Development programs, contact the area office at (803) 649-4221, or by visiting USDA’s web site at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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