Noted and Passed

June 9, 2015

The Chronicle-Independent

We recently spent a number of weeks delving deep into the question of whether or not Kershaw County is being left behind when it comes to economic development. While 25 jobs may not seem like a lot at first blush, Suominen's announcement a week ago to expand its Bethune operation is notable for several reasons. First, it speaks to something Chairman Julian Burns said in one of our articles: "The county needs to take care of its existing industrial customers first, even as it courts new business prospects," he said. "And the way to do that is to find out who they are, then find out what they want and get it to them." Secondly, there is Suominen President and CEO Nina Kopola's comment of having "excellent people" in Bethune. This tells us what we already knew: Kershaw County has, in all of its communities, a good, well-trained workforce devoted to quality. Here's hoping other existing companies will follow Suominen's lead and to even more deciding to come here in the near future.