The city's new business park officially welcomed its first tenant Monday with a plaque dedication and tour marking the opening of U.S. Tank and Cryogenics.

Company Chairman and CEO Jim Brown welcomed a group that included city, county and state officials. U.S. Tank is the first facility to begin operations at Lewisburg Business Park on Mooresville Highway.

The company is expected to begin operations by the end of the month. Applications for employment will be accepted beginning Monday.

U.S. Tank and Cryogenics refurbishes tanks used to store liquid forms of gases. The company can refurbish tanks from 40 liters in size to those the size of a railroad car.

Brown, a native of Columbia, began his business in his garage by designing and constructing a vacuuming machine -- a key component in tank refurbishing.

See Friday's Tribune for the complete story.