Economic development: The basics .............................................. 52 Nova Molecular

BY BRUCE MILLS

CAN-DO ATTITUDE

Nova Molecular’s local operations earn expansion over Texas site

The "can-do attitude" of a locally based operation as opposed to a second site in Texas was a key factor in a chemical purifi cation company picking Sumter for its current expansion.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Nova Molecular Technologies' 25-job expansion announcement was held last year in Pocotaligo East Industrial Site near U.S. 521, and company President Chris Adams discussed a brief history of his fi rm with The Sumter Item after the event.

A leading producer of high-purity solvents specially through a waste recovery and return program, Nova Molecular previously operated solely out of Bayport, Texas.

Adams said in 2014, company founder Mike Clumpner became interested in a Sumter-based chemical company named Emes.

Emes, which featured a solvent recovery program in the paint market, had a successful business model and Clumpner decided to purchase the business, according to Adams.

That operation became known as Nova Sumter and there was also Nova Bayport.

In a few years, Adams said, it became clear that the company's best opportunity long-term was with Nova Sumter. "One, there was a great business model," he said, "but, I think, more importantly the 'can-do attitude' of the people in the Sumter business was really infectious. In Bayport, they would tell you all the reasons things couldn't be done. And here, they would fi gure it out. It was a very entrepreneurial, scientifi cally, problem-solving organization."

At the end of 2018, Nova sold the Bayport business to another chemical company and focused solely on the Sumter operation.

The sale of Bayport helped partially fund the current local expansion, which totals $14.9 million in capital investment, Adams added.

Nova Sumter currently has about a 2.5-acre site location. The new operation in Pocotaligo East Industrial Site will be 15 acres. Nova is the fi rst tenant in the 143-acre industrial park, which is basically next door to Continental Tire.

Nova Molecular Human Resources Director Jackie Evans said the company has already added some jobs in the expansion and will be looking to add about 20 more, rounding out at about 70 total employees. Nova is currently recruiting distillation operators with workers experienced in wastewater or chemicals, she said. The company is expected to begin making materials at the new site this spring. Nova's expansion announcement was made in October 2020.

Providing

OPPORTUNITY

BY KAREEM WILSON

Pilgrim’s Pride is offering an easier path for its employees to earn a chance for higher education.

JBS USA and Pilgrim’s Pride announced in March 2021 the launch of their Better Futures program, which provides free tuition for two-year community and technical college to qualifying applicants and dependents who want to get their associate degrees and trade certifi cates.

Headquartered in Greeley, Colorado, Pilgrim’s Inc. is one of the largest chicken producers in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Since many families are also fi rst-generation Americans, the company also vowed to help people navigate the application process. The program is part of the company’s Hometown Strong initiatives, community investment projects by JBS USA and Pilgrim’s that aim to bring stability and opportunities in rural and Pilgrim’s that aim to bring stability and opportunities in rural communities.

“We will be delighted if some choose to build or continue their “We will be delighted if some choose to build or continue their careers with us when they graduate,” said Andre Nogueira, chief careers with us when they graduate,” said Andre Nogueira, chief executive offi cer of JBS USA. “Yet our larger aim is to unlock rural executive offi cer of JBS USA. “Yet our larger aim is to unlock rural America’s potential through free college education for our team America’s potential through free college education for our team members and their children.”

The Pilgrim’s Sumter production facility – located off U.S. Highway 15 South – is the second-largest industrial employer in Sumter County.

The company said this nationwide program will remove a major fi nancial barrier to college attendance and stands to become the largest free community college tuition program in rural America.

“It gives our team members and their families the opportunity to reap the benefi ts an education can provide,” Nogueira said.

Eligibility for the program requires an employee to have worked with the company for at least six months and remain in worked with the company for at least six months and remain in good standing during their educational pursuit. College tuition good standing during their educational pursuit. College tuition is paid by the company upon enrollment to ensure members will is paid by the company upon enrollment to ensure members will not need to take out student loans.

“Earning a college degree has the potential to improve lives in “Earning a college degree has the potential to improve lives in our region and open doors for generations to come,” said Keith our region and open doors for generations to come,” said Keith Martin, Pilgrim’s Sumter complex manager. Martin, Pilgrim’s Sumter complex manager.

JBS said if there is a college nearby, such as Central Carolina JBS said if there is a college nearby, such as Central Carolina Technical College, that offers the program, team members must Technical College, that offers the program, team members must be a resident of the state where the college is located. if there is be a resident of the state where the college is located. if there is not a college nearby, it would provide an online partner college not a college nearby, it would provide an online partner college option. option.

For more information, go to www.betterfutures.jbssa.com. For more information, go to www.betterfutures.jbssa.com.