Daniel Defense has announced it will invest $5.3 million to establish its new manufacturing facility in Jasper County, SC. Hiring begins this August for many of the 100 new jobs the project is expected to generate. The facility should be operational by December 1, 2001.

The company will open its second manufacturing facility-its first in South Carolina--in a pre-existing building to feature 90,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space.

Headquartered in Blackcreek, GA, Daniel Defense engineers and manufactures parts, accessories and complete weapons. Its main focus is providing top-quality small arms product solutions to the military, commercial and law enforcement markets.

"We are poised to continue to grow our brand in the U.S. firearms industry, international firearms Industry, DoD manufacturing and strategic business relationships," explained Daniel Defense President/CEO Marty Daniel. "Our goal is to build the best firearms in the world, and we view this investment as a key milestone toward achieving that goal."

Jasper County was chosen over other potential sites as it offered "a positive business environment and had a facility that would suit our needs," added Daniel.

The decision by Daniel Defense to establish its new facility in South Carolina "is another sign that our state's business-friendly climate, skilled workforce and exceptional market access are working to attract investments that create new jobs," said Bobby Hitt, Secretary of Commerce.