The governor helps welcome Horton Manufacturing to Oconee

Something looked out of place this afternoon in Oconee County, as Governor Henry McMaster stood on an outdoor stage holding a hockey stick and a University of Minnesota jacket.  But there’s an easy explanation.  McMaster joined Chairman John Elliott of the Oconee County Council to officially welcome a Minnesota-based company and its first Oconee County manufacturing plant.  For several months, the maker of engine cooling systems for trucks has been in business inside a 100 thousand square foot building in the county’s Information and Technology Park on highway 11, and this afternoon’s ceremony was an official welcome.  Several of Horton’s 70 employees were part of the audience for the ribbon cutting.  It’s been a love affair so far between Horton and Oconee County.  A company vice president says Horton appreciates the quality its workforce.  And Tony Niese told 101.7/WGOG NEWS that Horton soon expects to hire an additional 20 employees.  The crowd this afternoon also heard Horton CEO/President Cordell Dietz say he his company has interest in someday doubling the size of its operation, by another 100 thousand square feet of building.  As for the hockey stick and the maroon and gold jacket presented to the South Carolina governor, Minnesota is a big ice hockey state and the Twin Cities are home to the university.