TODAY, GOVERNOR MARK SANFORD.. ALONG WITH OFFICIALS FROM SANTEE COOPER AND GEORGETOWN COUNTY.. ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR A NEW PLANT.

THE PLANT WILL BE LOCATED ADJACENT TO SANTEE COOPER'S GENERATING STATION IN GEORGETOWN OFF HIGHWAY 17.

THE AMERICAN GYPSUM PLANT WILL MAKE WALL-BOARD AND COST ABOUT 125-MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD.

THE NEW PLANT WILL BRING AT LEAST 100 NEW JOBS TO GEORGETOWN COUNTY'S SLUMPING ECONOMY.

HERE'S A BREAK-DOWN OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE...

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 5-POINT- 4 PERCENT.

THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 7-POINT-9 PERCENT..

AND GEORGETOWN COUNTY HAS AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 11-POINT- 9 PERCENT.

So will you be applying for a job when they open up?" I definitely will be applying..that means I will not have to travel as far."

WALTER STANLEY LIVES IN GEORGETOWN BUT WITH THE LACK OF JOBS HE HAS TO DRIVE TO MYRTLE BEACH FOR WORK.

Stanley says, ""it's very hard to find a job here in Georgetown if you don't get in when it's time to get in then you just want get in."

BUT FOR GEORGETOWN RESIDENTS LIKE STANELY SOME GOOD NEWS

THIS NEW PLANT WILL BRING WITH IT AT LEAST 100 NEW JOBS..

IT WILL BE LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO SANTEE COOPER'S GENERATING STATION IN GEORGETOWN..

THE FACILITY WILL BE A WALLBOARD PLANT.. AND MAKE MATERIAL YOU SEE IN YOUR WALLS AND CELINGS.

SANTEE COOPER EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, BILL McCALL HELP NEGOTIATE THE DEAL.

HE SAYS IT'S THE BIGGEAST ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GEORGETOWN SINCE THE 19-60'S.

McCall says, "I think since 1967 that's a long time to make a big announcement like this and the job salaries are going to be very good."

What kind of skills are you looking for? Steve Rowley, President of Eagle Materials says, "for the entry level there will be a lot fork lifting operation so that's important beyond that it's industry specific and we will train everybody."

GEORGETOWN COUNTY HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN THE STATE

TRAY BERRY HAS TO DRIVE OVER 100 MILES JUST TO GET TO WORK

HE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE PLANT TO OPEN.

Berry says, "For 6 months I couldn't find any work around Georgetown and for them to open this plant will be a very big help."

OUTSIDE OF THE 100 JOBS, THE PLANT WILL ALSO CREATE....SOME 200 INDIRECT JOBS.

THOSE JOBS WILL INCLUDE THINGS LIKE MAINTENANCE AND TRUCK DRIVING.

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE NEW GEORGETOWN PLANT.

GROUND BREAKING FOR THE AMERICAN GYPSUM PLANT WILL BEGIN IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

THE FACILITY SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL BY 2007.

THE NON-SALARIED POSTIONS WILL PAY BETWEEN 45 AND 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR..

AND SALARIED WORKERS WILL MAKE BETWEEN 80 AND 85-THOUSAND DOLLARS.