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Medical technology company to locate in Bryan County
Officials say Dicon will bring nearly 200 jobs
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‘Our plan is working’

Dicon to bring nearly 200 jobs to county

 

Dicon Industries is joining the Bryan County Interstate Centre industrial park, according to an announcement made by the Development Authority board Thursday.

“Dicon currently manufactures all of its products in China,” Development Authority Chairman Sean Register said, “and has made the progressive decision to manufacture many of its current and future technology-driven advanced products in this new location in Bryan County.”

Officials say the new company will immediately create 88 new jobs and invest about $3.7 million in the project. Register said Dicon has projected hiring 100 more employees in the next five years.

“They’re very excited about hiring locals,” Register said. “Our plan is working.”

The company develops, manufactures and distributes products for advanced wound care, skin care, diabetic foot care and agricultural markets. Many of the new products that will be manufactured in Bryan County will supply U.S. troops in Iraq and elsewhere, as well as many large retailers throughout the world.

“This is bringing domestic jobs from China to Bryan County,” DA board member Derrick Smith noted. “It’s phenomenal that is coming here and it’s going to be in our backyard.”

Register said the new facility will be dedicated to manufacturing biomedical components and will utilize the Port of Savannah to export to its global retailers.

“It’s a great thing for Bryan County. A lot of children, after they’re educated, they want to stay here and work so they need these opportunities,” he said. “It’s biomedical research and development. This is a very desirable industry with jobs available for high school graduations right up through college graduates.”

Register said a lot of hard work went into the project on both the local and state levels.

“This was a very quick deal we put together. Georgia Power brought this client to us and they were looking at other sites both here in Georgia and in some neighboring states. They wanted someone who could put the deal together in an expeditious manner,” Register said. “We have a can-do board and we love it when a plan comes together.”

Register said the incentive package included a low-interest loan the DA procured from the state as well as grant money.

“The state cooperated very closely with us to help create an attractive plan,” Register said, noting more details about the benefits will be provided soon.

While plans are still in the design stages, the Development Authority is already preparing the building pad and “moving dirt already,” Register said.

“Time is of the essence,” he said. “We’re on a fast track and they hope to be in their building by the end of 2008. They’re going to start hiring and training people in the beginning of 2009.”

Governor Sonny Perdue also announced the company’s arrival to Bryan County Thursday, while at the 2008 BIO International Convention in San Diego.

“I am proud to welcome an innovative company like Dicon Technologies to Georgia,” Perdue said in a press release Thursday. “Dicon will find that Georgia workers have the kinds of skills and commitment to the job that helps companies grow and thrive.”

Dicon Chairman Sam Ginsberg, who will be in Bryan County next week, said the company was impressed by Georgia’s “progressive economic development, partnership programs and skilled workforce,” the release said.

The privately owned company currently has headquarters located in New Jersey and discussion has reportedly included the possibility of future expansion and relocating their headquarters to Georgia.

Dicon purchased 6.4 acres in the industrial park, across from Oneida. They have already said they plan to expand at least 2,500 square feet within the next year, officials said.

 

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