H.J. Heinz Co. will bring 350 jobs to the Pee Dee to staff a new Florence County facility to expand its production of frozen meals.

The company will offer full- and part-time positions at a 225,000-square-foot facility on 49 acres in Pee Dee Electric Cooperative’s Touchstone Energy Commerce City, near Interstate 95 and S.C. 327.

According to county documents the initial investment in the plant will be $105 million.

“Heinz is one of the world’s largest food producers,” said Joe W. King, executive director of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership. “They’ve got iconic brands. The name recognition is just phenomenal.”

The Heinz name will “continue to add substantial significance to our corporate citizenry,” Florence County Council Chairman Rusty Smith said.

“It has always been a No. 1 priority of Florence County Council to promote economic development,” Smith said, “and we’re very fortunate to have another flagship industry in Florence County that will benefit not only residents of the county but of the entire Pee Dee region.”

The Florence facility will produce frozen entrees in its Weight Watchers Smart Ones and Boston Market product lines.

Sales of Smart Ones products grew 26 last year, when Heinz-branded product sales increased about 14 percent, according to the company’s fiscal year 2008 report, issued last week.

Annual sales for Heinz surpassed $10 billion for the first time, according to the report.

“Our frozen meals business is growing rapidly, and the new facility is a sign of our commitment to supporting and sustaining this growth,” Dave Moran, president and CEO of Heinz North America, said in a press release.

Heinz North America employs more than 10,000 people, according to the press release.

The company’s meals and snacks, account for more than $4.5 billion in revenues, made about 10.8 percent more money than its ketchup and sauces during the past year and about 9.3 percent more in fiscal year 2007.

One of the incentives to entice Heinz to locate in the Pee Dee, is that Florence and Williamsburg counties are adding an additional parcel to their land in a joint industrial park so that, under state law, the company can receive a fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreement.

Sen. Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, who represents parts of Florence and Williamsburg counties, said the success in bringing Heinz to the Pee Dee is “partnership at work.”

“The benefits will be many — new jobs with excellent salaries as well as benefits, and it will change the lives of residents in Williamsburg County and the region economically and socially forever,” McGill said.

Last month, Florence County Council unanimously approved a resolution to offer economic incentives for Project Gateway, which county documents now identify as Heinz.

Now that company involved in the project has been named, the Florence County Council will hold its second public hearing Thursday on ordinances to establish the fee-in-lieu-of-tax incentives for Heinz and to amend the industrial park agreement with Williamsburg County.

The ordinances are then up for third and final reading, which will likely take place June 19. Smith said he expects them to pass without any problem.

Dr. Charles Gould, chairman of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership, credited Florence County and city councils for working together along with the Pee Dee Electric Cooperative and private citizens.

“This is yet another example of what can be accomplished when everyone is working toward a common goal,” Gould said in a press release. “The availability of skilled labor, pro-business climate and quality of life are just a few of the reasons Florence County is establishing itself as a prime location for businesses to locate.”

Toy Nettles, president and CEO of Pee Dee Electric Cooperative, said in a press release that the cooperative is excited that Heinz has decided to locate its facility in the Commerce City.

“There are 57 reasons the entire world loves the H.J. Heinz Co.,” Nettles said, referencing the company’s “57 varieties” slogan. “But at Pee Dee Electric, we have even more reason to love this world-class company. We are extremely pleased that yet another Fortune 500 company is joining the ranks of the Pee Dee Electric family of member-owners.”

A groundbreaking for the new facility is scheduled for summer, and the company expects construction to be completed in late summer 2009.