Richland County Business wins award for contributions to local, state industry
May 24, 2017
A longstanding Richland County business was recently recognized for its positive influence on local and statewide industry.
The S.C. Department of Commerce presented a 2017 Industry Impact Award (Medium Company) to Mars Petcare, a pet supply company located on Pineview Road in Lower Richland. The Richland County Economic Development Office nominated Mars for the Industry Impact Award, which is presented annually to businesses that exceed in capital investment, job creation, community engagement and environmental stewardship.
“We’re proud to see Mars Petcare receive this statewide recognition,” said Richland County Councilman Paul Livingston, District 4, who chairs the Richland County Economic Development Committee. “For years, Mars has not only demonstrated excellent business practices but has also fostered positive relationships with the surrounding community. We’re proud to see businesses like Mars Petcare thrive in Richland County.”
During its 20 years in business, Mars Petcare has undergone two expansions with more than $147 million in capital investment. It has also taken long strides to operate as cleanly and efficiently as possible, a testament to its recent status as a zero landfill site. Mars Petcare’s workforce of 109 was praised by the S.C. Department of Commerce for its diversity and inclusion practices, and the company offers various employee incentives such as associate degree tuition reimbursement, online career training and an onsite fitness center ― and employees can bring their dogs to work.
Livingston was joined by Richland County Councilmen Jim Manning of District 8 and Calvin “Chip” Jackson of District 9, who also serve on the County’s Economic Development Committee, in celebrating the local business at an awards luncheon earlier this week.
“The secret to South Carolina’s economic success is its people, and we will always honor the fine work they do,” said S.C. Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “The state’s industry appreciation events are a long-running tradition, and we’re proud of this year’s recipients.”
