Radioactive waste treatment company expanding its Richland County operation
A wastewater and radioactive waste treatment solutions company is expanding its operation in Richland County, according to the office of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.
AVANTech, LLC, is investing more than $3.6 million to bolster its facility in Columbia, the Governor’s Office said in a news release. The financial infusion is expected to create 17 jobs, according to the release.
Founded in 1999 in South Carolina, AVANTech works to create technology that will improve commercial nuclear, government and industrial operations, the Governor’s Office said. That includes multiple South Carolina facilities such as the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, according to the release.
Since its inception, AVANTech has expanded around the world and does business with nuclear power plants and other industrial customers, according to the release.
“South Carolina is a great place to start a small business. Since Tracy Barker, my co-founder, and I started the business 22 years ago, we have grown to over 200 employees serving over 15 countries due to the support of the state,” AVANTech President Jim Braun said in the release. “We have provided solutions to many of the world’s toughest problems, including radioactive water treatment after the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan and the U.S. Department of Energy high-level radioactive liquid waste tanks.”
McMaster said AVANTech’s expansion in Richland County is a “win for the Midlands.” The goal of the expansion is to increase the company’s integrated design, engineering and fabrication services, the Governor’s Office said.
The company’s Columbia facility is at 2050 American Italian Way, in an area with several other industrial businesses between Garners Ferry and Shop roads.
The expansion is expected to be completed in stages through 2025, according to the release.
Those interested in applying for a job can go to AVANTech’s careers webpage.
“Council is pleased with the company’s decision to continue growing here with support from our tremendous workforce,” Richland County Council Chair Paul Livingston said in the release.
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 10:16 AM.
