In September, Zilmet USA broke ground on construction of a 150,000-sq-ft facility in Georgetown County, South Carolina. The planned $32.7 million investment at the site is expected to create about 50 new jobs. Since its formation in Rhode Island in 2012, Zilmet USA has imported all its products from the company’s primary manufacturing plant in Italy. But greater than expected demand, both in the United States and worldwide, prompted Zilmet to expand its existing 2 million square feet of manufacturing space. The Rhode Island facility will allow the com- pany to better serve its growing customer base, while freeing up existing capacity in Italy for cus- tomers in Europe and other markets. Phase 1 of the new project is due to be completed in late 2024, with production beginning in 2025.