Tech-Wood picks Greenwood

December 31, 2005

From staff reports

Greenwood County gets a late Christmas present today, and a positive jumpstart to the economic outlook for 2006. Tech-Wood, a Dutch manufacturer of wood composite materials, announced today that it will invest $150 million and create between 200-250 jobs in Greenwood County. At least 90 percent of those jobs will come from the area’s workforce, company sources say.
The company uses a patented technology to manufacture wood composite materials that are used in such products as decking, railing systems, siding and a variety of other building materials.
Tech-Wood Nederland BV is known as the market leader in wood-plastic composites in Europe, with its patented wood composite containing a high percentage of wood fiber, making it less dependent on scarce and expensive petroleum distillates. Tech-Wood USA LLC will purchase the Moore Business Form building and an adjacent 30 acres to construct a 30,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, with construction targeted for late January. The company plans to have production up and running by late third quarter or early fourth quarter of 2006.
“Our administration is committed to making the business climate more attractive for companies to create opportunity and raise income levels for South Carolinians,” Gov. Mark Sanford said.
“We’re working to accelerate the pace of growth in our economy by targeting companies that diversify our economy and generate investment and jobs for our state.”
“Tech-Wood executives chose Greenwood because of its business-friendly environment, willing and well-trained workforce, abundance of raw materials and a well-coordinated statewide, team effort,” said Willem Boltong, president of AIM International, site consultants for the project. “From the initial visit to the final selection, the S.C. Department of Commerce provided us with expertise and project management. The active recruitment of this company through meetings and numerous phone calls by local leaders, our congressional delegation and Gov. Mark Sanford’s office finally convinced Tech-Wood to locate its new start-up in Greenwood.”
Tech-Wood is a combination of wood fibers and additives enhanced to make a durable building product with a longer lifespan than traditional wood products. In fact, the panels can be recycled up to four times, according to company sources. And with the emergence of sustainable building practices, Tech-Wood will be a new player in a growing niche market of environmentally friendly products that are virtually maintenance-free and maintain functionality over time, the company says.
“Our state’s abundant timber resources provide us with a competitive advantage and I’m glad we were able to recruit a progressive company like Tech-Wood to South Carolina,” said Secretary of Commerce Bob Faith. “With the growth of green building products and sustainable design in our state, as well as throughout the entire United States, Tech-Wood is exactly the type of leading-edge, technology-based manufacturer we’re eager to bring to South Carolina as we strive to diversify our economy and build on our growing clusters.”
“We are pleased with the new jobs Tech-Wood will bring to Greenwood, as well as the development of a construction materials cluster that will create spin-off products used in the building and recreation markets,” said Robbie Templeton, chairman of Greenwood County Council. “Utilizing Gov. Sanford’s industry cluster research, we saw a unique opportunity to maximize Greenwood County’s natural resources. Building upon an existing industry base the county will capitalize on the growing housing and new construction market in the Southeast.”
U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, whose congressional district includes Greenwood County, lauded the work done to bring the new industry to Greenwood.
“I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved in bringing the over-200 new jobs to Greenwood County, especially the Greenwood County Council. I applaud their aggressive approach to rectify the high unemployment rate. I was honored to be part of the recruitment team and I look forward to continuing similar efforts throughout the Third District in 2006.”
For information about the company, go to www.tech-wood.com.

Away from a manger: Baby Jesus
stolen from Greenwood business

December 31, 2005

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

Somebody in Greenwood really needed Jesus.
Or maybe that person suffers from an entirely new kind of kleptomania.
When Bikes and Boards owner David Gensler arrived Thursday at his store on Montague Avenue, he quickly realized the manger scene displayed in front of his store was missing the one thing he had been unable to bolt down: Jesus.
“We just wanted people to know that we kept Christ in Christmas,” Gensler said. “My wife had told me that I shouldn’t put it out with all the controversy going on, but I told her we have a lot of good church-going people in this community. It was a really Scroogy thing to do.”
Gensler said he hopes someone returns the baby so he can display the spirit of Christmas next year. He said he will not ask any questions of the person who returns the baby Jesus.
“They just need to put the baby in the bed,” said store coordinator Marvin Childs.
Until Jesus is returned, Gensler said he will have to hide what is left of the manger scene so someone else doesn’t get the rest of it. He said he does not have any real suspicions of who took the baby.
“If I had to guess, it was probably one of those people who takes their money to Greenville and doesn’t support local businesses,” he said.
But for the Genslers, the theft was no laughing matter.
“It just hurts when you have stuff stolen like that,” Gensler said. “It just makes you think that you aren’t able to trust people.”

Opinion

Greenwood is a ‘natural’
for retiree community

December 31, 2005

It’s no surprise that Greenwood is working to attract more retirees. It’s a natural!
For some time this community has had the welcome mat out and it already has a head start on introducing others to a way of life that is second to none. Most retirees who have settled here have found the quality of life exemplary.
There are many things about Greenwood and the entire Lakelands area that give living here a special quality. The new arts complex, new library, higher educational facilities and a variety of other attractions are the stuff that good retirement communities are made of. But, then, they also are the assets of the everyday life for all of us. In terms of religious, civic, education, entertainment, government, cost of living and just about every facet of our existence, this is a warm and caring state and community.

THERE’S ONE OTHER BIG item, too, It’s an established fact that the variety for dining out in the Emerald City lacks nothing.
All of these things are a plus all the way around. There could be more, though. As mentioned before, that’s where parks come into focus. The one we have – on East Cambridge – definitely adds to the enjoyment of life hereabouts. Imagine how much more another park would add to that quality. There is another park waiting at the corner of Grace Street and 72 Bypass. All it needs is a push and a little imagination, not to mention a couple of decisions by the powers that be.
Add all these things together and they make the Greenwood area a perfect spot to retire. Retirees are hearing about us every day. But, then, what’s not to like?

A very important question
Is the Patriot Act a threat to the freedoms constitutionality mandated to all Americans?
That, of course, is one of the questions under debate as Congress decides whether to make the Act permanent after its 90-day extension expires.
Under the Act, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are given certain powers to check on suspected terrorists.
Then, to be sure, the eavesdropping approved by President Bush also has created a storm of protest.
There’s one very important question every American should ask himself. What should be done to make sure we keep tabs on those who want to kill us?

Obituaries

Miss Gladys Guyton

January 10, 1916 - December 29, 2005 GREENWOOD, SC —  Gladys Guyton, age 89, of Wesley Commons, a United Methodist Retirement Community in Greenwood, SC, died Thursday, December 29, 2005 at her residence.
Born in Williamston, SC on January 10, 1916, Miss Guyton was the daughter of the late A. M. Guyton and Eva Vandiver Guyton. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, SC and her Master’s Degree from Columbia University in New York City. She was Executive Director of the Columbia, GA and Wilmington, DE Girl Scout Councils, and Executive Director of West Side Branch Y.W.C.A., Cleveland, OH and Y.M.C.A. of Miami, FL. She was Program Director of USO-YWCA in Newport News, VA and Counselor and Chairman of Pupil Personnel Director in a school in a suburb in Chicago, IL. After retirement, she moved to Anderson, SC where she was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary education society, P.E.O., and many community groups. She was founder and volunteer Executive Director of Williamston Friendly Service, an organization of volunteers who provided visits, notes and telephone calls to shut-ins. In Greenwood, she was a member of First Pres-byterian Church.
Survivors are sisters, Mabel G. Parrott of Wesley Commons, Erma G. Hicks of Milledgeville, GA and brothers, R. R. Guyton of Williamston, SC and P.V. Guyton of Paoli, PA.
A private memorial service will be held and inurnment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum in Anderson, SC.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com
THE McDOUGALD FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

James Lake Sr.

James Lake Sr., 62, of 525 Taggart Ave., widower of Ella W. Lake, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont in Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Mamie Perry

SCOTIA, N.Y. — Mamie Perry, 94, died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005 in Scotia.
Born in Mount Carmel, S.C., she was a former member of Spring Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Cora Perry of New York City and an adopted son, Andrew Perry of New Hampshire.
Graveside services are at noon Monday at Spring Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Mount Carmel, conducted by the Rev. Roy Andrews, pastor.
Walker Funeral Home, McCormick, S.C., is in charge.

Annie Sue Wilson

NEW LONDON, Conn. — Annie Sue Wilson, 55 of 78 Viets Street, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005 at Pavilion Healthcare in New London.
Services will be announced by Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville, S.C.