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SUMTER (AP) -- A bearings manufacturing plant in South Carolina says it will add 75 jobs as it expands its operations.

The Item of Sumter reported that Kaydon Corp. announced the nearly $9 million expansion of its Sumter plant Tuesday.

Kaydon chairman and chief executive James O'Leary says the expansion will help the company increase its market share.

The company expects to have the new facility operating in the fall. Hiring is to begin immediately.

Kaydon also has an industrial tank turret and wind turbine bearing production facility in Sumter.

Sumter County's unemployment rate was 13 percent in March.

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