It was a ribbon cutting on a grand scale.
From the white air conditioned tent to the guest list, not a detail was missed.
Horsehead held their official ribbon cutting Aug. 25.
Horsehead is the leading manufacturer of value-added zinc products including zinc oxide and zinc powder, as well as the world’s largest producer of zinc from recycled sources.  Horsehead Corporation was formed in 2003, but its predecessor companies, the New Jersey Zinc Company and St. Joe Resources Company, each having been in the zinc production business, date back to the mid-1800s.
“On behalf of the town of Snelling, it is my pleasure to welcome Horsehead,” said newly elected town Mayor Paul Moore.
Moore said when a new company becomes interested in an area, residents want to know basic questions about what kind of neighbor the new industry will make.
Moore joked, “They want to know, will I have to keep my dogs tied up, or will it make my chickens nervous?”
“A job created does not only affect that one person, it affects the family and the community,” Moore said.
“It’s been two years since we stood on this very piece of property and celebrated the Horsehead announcement,” Marty Martin said.
Martin and a group from the area, traveled to a Horsehead facility to see first hand what kind of company Barnwell would be getting in Horsehead.
“They were gracious hosts,” he said.
Martin said one person who was instrumental in bringing Horsehead to Snelling was former Snelling Mayor, Tim Moore, Sr..
Moore passed away earlier this year. He was the oldest and longest serving mayor in South Carolina at the time of his death.
“We would certainly want to thank him. I know he would be proud of what we are doing here today,” Martin said of Moore.
“This has been such a huge effort on the part of so many people in this room. This is a regional approach to economic development. Right now we are in a global competition. Together we can bring more and more jobs to South Carolina,” Sen. Brad Hutto said.
Congressman Joe Wilson said he was glad to see the jobs being created at Horsehead.
“It’s wonderful. I’m so grateful for the investment here,” Wilson said.
“It’s just a great day to be in South Carolina today,” said Rep. Lonnie Hosey. “I would like to thank you for investing in our district. People here have a long and proud history for working in manufacturing,” Hosey said of local workers.
“We are ready and we anticipate this will be your most successful branch,” Hosey said.
 “Were it not for the workforce, they (Horsehead) would not be here,” Gov. Mark Sanford said of Horsehead’s decision to locate the facility in Barnwell County.
“It provides a platform to demonstrate their talents,” Sanford said of the new Horsehead jobs.
“Today, fundamentally, is about embracing change,” Sanford said. “Doing more with less.”
 “What you all are doing is taking dust and creating jobs,” Sanford said.
Sanford laughingly told of his uneasiness when first being told the name of the company looking to expand in South Carolina.  He said the image that kept coming to mind, was the famous scene from the Godfather movie, of the character waking up to find a horse’s head in his bed.
Sanford said he jokingly told everyone to check out this New Jersey company, “just to be on the safe side.”
The name actually came about from New Jersey’s state seal, which included a Horsehead signifying speed and strength, Sanford said.
Jim Hensler, president of the Horsehead Corporation said, “This is a day we have been anxiously planning since 2007. We are ever grateful for your support.”
Horsehead incorporated a Native American belief into their company’s motto, Hensler said. The saying, “We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children,” can be seen as Horsehead wants to “make a positive impact on the environment,” he said.
“To continue with your theme, Governor, besides, you made us an offer we could not refuse,” Hensler quipped.