Freebies found at NPE include a plastic manufacturing building

We’ve all seen NPE visitors scouring the show halls for free containers, toys, and other treats, but at NPE 2009, the offer of a free pipe manufacturing building in Abbeville, SC was certainly an unexpected proposition. Steve Bowles, director development services for Abbeville County, handed out information at the show on a 36,000-ft² building owned by the county that will be given away to an industry that will create a minimum of 25 jobs and a minimum investment.

Free processing site anyone? It's no joke.

“We have had some interest from the show, as well as from other places,” said Bowles. “If someone is going to bring in 100 jobs, the minimum investment would be lower.”

The building was a Performance Pipe location that was shut down by Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. (CPChem) in December 2001 when the plant’s production was consolidated into other regional facilities. When CPChem didn’t want another plastic processing competitor to move in, the county bought the building in hopes of bringing in a new company and new jobs.

The facility is located on 20 acres and has 5 silos (two were added since the photo was taken), a railroad spur, and fenced lay-down yard. More information on the terms and conditions for this building are available by emailing Bowles at ACDB@wctel.net. —kate.dixon@cancom.com