MAY 5, 2016  |  A Minnesota-based wire decking and shelving company will invest $2.5 million to open a 31,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Walterboro.  The project is expected to create 50 new jobs, officials said.

“It’s exciting to see a company like J&L Wire, which is dedicated to making products right here in the U.S., make the decision to establish operations in South Carolina,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.  “J&L’s $2.5 million investment and the 50 new jobs it means for Colleton County are real reasons to celebrate in Colleton and across our entire state.”

J&L Wire, which is headquartered in St. Paul., Minn., will open its state-of-the-art facility in the former Press Building on Mable T. Willis Boulevard in Walterboro.  The company, which was founded in 1980,  is a leading manufacturer of galvanized wire decking and shelving used in warehouse storage, material handling and logistics. The established product line includes Galva-Deck® wire decking and Boss Hog™ woven wire flooring for agricultural confinement panels. 

“We are proud J&L Wire has chosen Colleton County for their expansion,” said Bill Workman, chairman of the Colleton County Resource & Development Board and co-chair of the Colleton County Economic Alliance.  He is also second vice chair of the Southern Carolina Alliance, which is lead organization of the S.C. Promise Zone.  “Our economic development professionals on the local, regional, and state levels work diligently toward this kind of growth. We will continue to support J&L Wire as they become an established South Carolina manufacturer.”

SouthernCarolina Alliance President and CEO Danny Black added, ““We appreciate the 50 direct jobs that J&L Wire will bring to Colleton County, as well as the economic impact that these jobs and this investment will ultimately have on Colleton County and the surrounding region. At SouthernCarolina Alliance, we believe that good jobs build communities and opportunities, and we look forward to working with the company to improve the quality of life for our residents through their success and job creation.”