WESTMINSTER — An international company doing business in Oconee County since 1999 announced Wednesday a $5 million expansion of its local operations that would bring 50 new jobs to the area.

A spokesman for Lift Technologies Inc. said the company is doubling the size of a 40,000-suare-foot spec building it purchased from the county last year for almost $800,000. The building is located at the Oconee County Commerce Center on Hwy. 11 in Westminster.

“We are very excited to be growing again in Oconee County,” said Brian Jones, Lift Technologies’ vice president of operations.

Jones told the Daily Journal Wednesday that the expansion project at the spec building should be completed by the end of June. He said startup is targeted for August.

Hiring would begin in April and proceed in stages through May and June to allow for training, Jones said.

The Oconee County Council approved an ordinance Tuesday night authorizing the execution and delivery of a fee-in-lieu of tax agreement with Lift Technologies, which was identified during the process as Project Golden.

Council Chairman George Blanchard alluded to the 50 new jobs that the company was adding.

“They aren’t minimum wage jobs,” said Blanchard, adding that the jobs would pay more than $14 an hour.

At a time when the state’s unemployment rate has been rising over the past several months, the decision of Lift Technologies to expand its operations in Oconee County was welcomed by Gov. Mark Sanford.

“Today’s announcement is another sign that efforts to enhance the state’s business climate and improve he economic soil condition are working to grow existing businesses and create jobs throughout South Carolina,” Sanford said.

State Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor also applauded Lift Technologies’ commitment.

“Their growth in Oconee County signifies the strength of the state’s business environment and the area’s workforce,” Taylor said.

The announcement also vindicates the Oconee County Economic Development Commission’s often-ridiculed decision in 2005 to invest $700,000 on the spec building on the premise that “if you build it, they will come.”

In outlining the EDC’s strategic plan for the future to the County Council Tuesday night, a consultant hired by the EDC underscored the importance of continuing investing on spec buildings.

Jones said Lift Technologies generated $100 million in sales in 2007, which has its headquarters in Canada and operations in Italy. He attributed the company’s success in the United States, in part, to its location in Oconee County where it is able to provide transportation savings and shorter lead-time for deliveries.

“We anticipate this expansion will provide continued growth into the future benefiting the citizens, the county and the Upstate,” Jones said.