Gov. McMaster joins local leaders cutting the ribbon on breakthrough manufacturing facility

BAMBERG, SC. (WJBF)- South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster made a stop in the CSRA Thursday morning for a major announcement in Bamberg County.

2024 was a devastating year for Bamberg. 

Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Debby, and an EF-2 tornado brought major damage to the area all in the same calendar year.

But local leaders say Thursday morning’s ceremony is a giant step forward for the area.

Thanks to a partnership with Gibbs International, Incorporated, the facility, called Project Circular, creates 70 manufacturing jobs for locals to make support blocks for wooden pallets. 

Wooden pallets are the same products that hold items in grocery stores across America.

“If you buy toilet paper, if you buy groceries, if you buy anything from the store—the likelihood is that it got to the store via a chipping palette,” said Fredy Madrid, an executive with Gibbs International, Inc.

The blocks are made out of a series of raw materials.

Workers use machines to mold it into block form, and once it goes through an assembly line it’s ready to use. 

“This is a new entity in the area. We’re the first ones in this area to do what they’re doing in there,” said Spencer Donaldson, representing District 4 with Bamberg County Council.

The facility is at the site of the old Rockland Industries Plant.

It served as the largest employer in Bamberg County for decades before closing in 2020.

This is a $53.7-million-dollar investment in the county, and one of the fastest growing industries in South Carolina.

It’s been almost 2 years since we reported on extensive damage at Oak to Barrel from an EF-2 tornado, another major manufacturing company for Bamberg.

Leaders say this facility drives growth for the future. 

“Just like we did for prior industries, we want to be that source of help, that source of comfort, and undergirding for any industry that comes to our area,” said Bamberg Mayor Corey Ramsey.

The governor says the facility contributes to growth happening around the state.

“We have a great place to live, a great place to invest, and it’s only going to get better. If we keep everybody safe and educated, this economic prosperity is going to continue,” McMaster said.

He adds the impact on the local level shows the work state leaders are doing to revive small towns around the Palmetto State.

“That’s 70 homes that are going to have a good paying job. That’s children that are going to get new shoes, and maybe get a new car. All sorts of positive things are happening, and success like that attracts other successes. It’s a geometric progression, and that’s going to happen,” said McMaster.

25 of the 70 jobs this facility creates have already been filled.

Leaders are hoping this project is the start of a brighter future for the county and the state.