Allied held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the creation of its new corporate headquarters and a research and development facility in Lexington County. The company also plans to expand its Orangeburg, S.C., manufacturing facility. "We're particularly thrilled to be here in Lexington County with our headquarters where we perceive we can recruit high-quality professionals," said Dan Seaman, vice president.

According to the company, the Lexington County facility will serve as the corporate headquarters for the entire Allied Air business unit with over 22,000 square feet of office space and 40,000 square feet of research and development facilities, including testing laboratories. The expansion of the Orangeburg operation will add 238,000 square feet to the 350,000 square feet already in use on the plant site. Combined, the two represent the creation of as many as 300 new jobs. The Orangeburg County Expansion is expected to be completed by late fall. Work on the new Lexington County facility should be done by the end of the year.