SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A Singapore-based tire manufacturer plans to spend $560 million on a plant in South Carolina that is expected to create 1,700 new jobs over the next decade.

State officials said Monday that Giti Tire is building its first North American manufacturing facility in Richburg. The 1.8-million-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility will be built off Interstate 77.

The Chester County plant will make passenger and light truck tires.

The plant’s initial capacity is expected to be 5 million tires annually. Officials hope demand will require increased capacity.

Commerce Secretary Bobby Hitt says the announcement bolsters the state’s reputation as the nation’s tire capital. Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental also have announced new or expanded facilities in the past few years.

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