Italian ag manufacturer breaks ground in Orangeburg County; biostimulant maker to create 47 new jobs

The company broke ground on its first manufacturing facility in the United States at the Orangeburg County/City Industrial Park near the intersection of U.S. Highway 301 and Interstate 26.

Valagro is planning to invest at least $15 million and create 47 new jobs over the next five years.

“If you are an entrepreneur, the U.S. is the holy land,” Valagro CEO Giuseppe Natale told those gathered at the company’s groundbreaking.

“It is a great country and I think you have a lot of to be proud of,” he said.

Valagro initially announced in May 2018 its intention to locate in the county, saying Orangeburg’s location enables it to better serve the U.S., Canada and Mexico and its existing customer base.

Its 65,000-square-foot facility will be located on about 11 acres across the street from Allied Air. Construction is expected to begin on the facility by the first quarter of 2020 with operations beginning by the end of 2020.

Natale promised the county Valagro will be “quality employer.”