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Charleston Business

SOPAKCO Expanding Marion County Operations

SOPAKCO, a world leader in the design, processing, and packaging of processed foods, is expanding its Marion County operations. The company is investing more than $12.5 million on a three-phase expansion that is expected to create 25 new jobs.

In 1943, SOPAKCO was founded out of the need for military food rations. More than 70 years later, the company remains one of the top providers of meals ready to eat, commonly known as MREs, to the U.S. military. In addition to emergency meal rations, SOPAKCO has evolved to become a cutting-edge food processing company for major national and international brands.

Headquartered at 118 S. Cypress Street in Marion County, SOPAKCO's expansion, which includes constructing a new facility to house its corporate offices, is designed to increase manufacturing capacity and flexibility.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved a $250,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant to Marion County to assist with the costs of site preparation and infrastructure improvements.

"SOPACKO has experienced great success in South Carolina," said Lonnie Thompson, SOPAKCO president. "This is the third expansion in Marion County in the past five years. The value that Marion County brings through its business-friendly climate and quality workforce has allowed us to thrive here and we look forward to continuing our partnership."