Jones-Hamilton Company, an employee-owned manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals, will build a $29 million plant in Chester County, South Carolina.

"We are looking forward to starting up operations in South Carolina. Chester County provided us with an excellent business environment and a great workforce. We appreciate all the hard work from local and state officials who helped us find the right place to locate," said Bernie Murphy, president of Jones-Hamilton Co.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a rural infrastructure grant worth $100,000 for the county in the northern part of the state to help with site preparation.

The Toledo, Ohio-based company is a producer of sodium bisulfate and a major supplier of muriatic acid in North America. Construction on Jones-Hamilton's new facility is scheduled to begin in 2013, and operations are expected to begin in 2014.

"We are committed to bringing investment and jobs to areas across the state, but it's always exciting to see investments like this in our rural areas. We celebrate the $29 million investment and the new jobs Jones-Hamilton will create in Chester County," said Gov. Nikki Haley. The new plant is expected to create more than a dozen jobs.

"I always like to say that we know how to make things in South Carolina. That's especially true for chemical manufacturing. By attracting companies like Jones-Hamilton, we not only build on our manufacturing reputation, but also bring new jobs that have impact," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.