Forest Technology Group expands Charleston area headquarters

January 30, 2003 – Forest Technology Group, a business delivering information technologies and services internationally to help organizations manage natural resources, will expand in the Charleston region. The company announced today that it will locate its growing headquarters operation in North Charleston’s Faber Place, creating 58 new jobs and investing $1.325 million over the next few years. This announcement was facilitated by the Charleston Regional Development Alliance.

Forest Technology Group was founded in 1999 with 5 people and today has 50. Most employees have been based in Summerville, SC, with representatives also in several other states, Canada and Brazil. The ongoing growth of its customer base, plus future business projections, made it necessary for the company to find a larger office facility. Company officials considered several options before choosing to remain in the Charleston region.

“We found that the Charleston region addresses three critical issues for us,” said Henry E. “Gene” Kodama, Chief Executive Officer. “First, we can retain our excellent employees, many of whom recently moved here. Second, we remain in an area that customers and other business contacts enjoy visiting. And finally, we found an existing facility that fits our five-year growth projections.”

Gene Williams, Chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, noted that this announcement signals a positive outcome for the region. “Bringing a new company to our region is always exciting. But it’s equally exciting when we retain a company that is already part of our corporate community. A competitive expansion like this proves this region delivers the workforce, the culture and the support growing companies need in order to prosper.”

“Wonderful news for Charleston County,” said Timothy E. Scott, Chairman of Charleston County Council. “It’s a tremendous vote of confidence in our region to host such a cutting-edge information technology company as Forest Technology Group. We appreciate this invaluable contribution, both to our R&D community and to our region’s most valuable 21st century asset – its brainpower.”

Keith Summey, Mayor of North Charleston, added that the city is home to a growing community of technology and service companies. “Forest Technology Group could have chosen to relocate their operations anywhere in the country. We’re pleased and proud that they saw our city as a place to invest for the future,” he said.

The Charleston Regional Development Alliance works with numerous organizations to attract new investment to the region. Among those organizations is the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

“Forest Technology Group looked at three other states but ultimately chose the Palmetto State because of the culture, the history, the tourism activities and the international flavor of the area,” added Secretary of Commerce nominee Bob Faith. “Charleston has a work/play balance that’s second-to-none when it comes to living and working.”

About Forest Technology Group
Forest Technology Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MeadWestvaco. The company provides decision support services for assessing, planning, and managing forest resources. Visit Forest Technology Group at www.ftgrp.com.

About The Charleston Regional Development Alliance
The Charleston Regional Development Alliance represents Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. Its mission is to broaden and diversify business investment in this region, with a new emphasis on technology-intensive business sectors. Since its inception, the Alliance has worked with thousands of companies to help promote business investment and quality growth in the area. To learn more, go to www.charleston-for-business.com.

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Media Contact:
Colleen Troy
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