News and Press Releases for March 2006

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03/29/2006

Gov. Sanford Issues Statement on GlaxoSmithKline Announcement

Columbia, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford today issued the following statement after officially welcoming GlaxoSmithKline's announcement that they would create an additional 150 jobs and invest another $65 million in Aiken, South Carolina:

"GlaxoSmithKline's decision to create more jobs and re-invest in our state is another sign that we're moving in the right direction with respect to our economy," Gov. Sanford said. "With nearly 112,000 more people working in South Carolina than there were three years ago, this expansion represents another step toward our goals of creating jobs and raising income levels in our state.? Ultimately, our goal is to continue on this job creation pace, and that means continuing to work toward a more competitive business climate with lower taxes, less government spending and changes like reforming workers' compensation."

From January of 2003 through January of 2006, South Carolina outpaced two-thirds of the nation in percentage of job growth. Month to date, the Department of Commerce has assisted in the creation of almost 1,100 jobs in March and the recruitment of more than $200 million in capital investment - totals comprised of the announcements of Guardian Industries in Fairfield County, South Financial Group in Greenville County, Mergent, Inc. in York County, and today's announcement in Aiken County. Year to date, the Department of Commerce has recruited more than 3,000 jobs to our state.

According to a recent report ranking South Carolina's business environment the most business-friendly in the nation, "From A to Z, South Carolina understands economic development and is clearly making the effort to continue its attractiveness to business. When it comes to economic development, it is a state that other states should emulate."