Last week, paper manufacturing giant, First Quality Enterprises, announced its plans to invest over $1 billion and create some 1,200 jobs in the Palmetto State.  The company plans on building a new facility in Anderson, South Carolina.

Congressman Gresham Barrett, whose comments were today featured in a Bignews post, praised First Quality’s investment in his state.  The congressman cited the necessity of a pro-business climate in South Carolina- one that includes lower taxes and less government regulation.  Without similar initiatives to combat the current economic stultification that many states are seeing, companies like First Quality would lack the incentives to invest in projects such as the Anderson plant.  By supporting such initiatives, “we can make South Carolina a leader in industry and job creation,” said Barrett.  With an unemployment rate over 12 percent, South Carolina has been hit hard by the current economic downturn.