(Left-right)Josh Rabina and Todd Aaron with Sentinel Data Centers, N.C. Department of Commerce Economic Developer Margie Bukowski and Secretary Keith Crisco
Site consultants meet N.C.'s Economic Development Team
On Nov. 2, more than 40 site selection advisors gathered at Le Bernardin in New York City to hear an update on current business conditions in the state from N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco and other state economic developers. With 2011 project activity remaining strong, Secretary Crisco detailed the many ways North Carolina is meeting the challenging environment and providing companies the competitive advantages they need to Thrive in the state.
Biotech company to open facility in Brunswick County
Governor Bev Perdue on Nov. 2announced that CMS Food Solutions, Inc. owner of an innovative proprietary food safety technology will open a manufacturing facility in Leland. The project is expected to create 52 jobs and the company expects to invest $4.4 million in the plant. The project was made possible in part by a $32,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
"Creating jobs is my top priority, and North Carolina has the universities, research and workforce that continue to attract leading biotechnology companies," said Perdue. "Our terrific business climate and skilled workforce make North Carolina an excellent location for companies who share our vision of a sustainable future. We welcome CMS Food Solutions to our state.”
CMS Food Solutions, Inc. is a privately held corporation which does research and development, marketing and manufacturing of biotechnologies. CMS Food Solutions' proprietary antimicrobial applications are custom blended specifically targeting pathogens and spoilage bacteria to preserve harvested fruits and vegetables as well as other foods. The manufacturing processes use natural ingredients and produce no waste. CMS currently has a manufacturing facility in Conroe, Texas. Its multi-year sales agreements with companies in the food industry require the current expansion in production capacity. The company expects the plant to be operational in 2012.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs is estimated to be $43,115, plus benefits. The Brunswick County average annual wage is $32,500.
Port of Wilmington expands global access with new service
The 550-foot IMOLA EXPRESS began loading at the Port of Wilmington on Nov. 2 for its third call as part of the new regular roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) service between North Carolina and West Africa. Wilmington serves as a loading port for Sallaum Lines ro-ro vessels used extensively in the movement of automobiles, construction equipment and project cargo. Ports of call in West Africa include Conakry, Guinea; Lome, Togo; Cotonou, Benin and Lagos, Nigeria.
“The Port of Wilmington is pleased to welcome Sallaum Lines to the Port of Wilmington,” said Tom Eagar, CEO, N.C. State Ports Authority. “Sallaum Lines is expected to call Wilmington every 40 days with the hopes of incorporating more calls as cargo flow warrants.”
“Sallaum is entering into a long and mutually beneficial relationship with N.C.’s Ports. We have been impressed with the facilities, customer service, and personnel we have encountered which were significant factors in our decision to add Wilmington to our schedule,” said Bill Ruff, Managing Director, Sallaum Lines DMCC. Read more.
State grant helps food processor locate facility in Montgomery County
Governor Bev Perdue on Nov. 1 announced that Aseptia Inc., a processor of fruits and vegetables, will locate a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Montgomery County. The company, doing business as Wright Foods, plans to create 75 jobs and invest $10.15 million during the next three years in Troy. The project was made possible in part by a $150,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The N.C. Department of Commerce's Garrett Wyckoff was the developer on this project.
"Creating jobs is my top priority, Wright Food's choice to locate this facility in Montgomery County is a testament to our excellent workforce and strong business climate," said Perdue. "It's great news when innovative technology, developed right here in North Carolina, translates into jobs for our people and investments in our communities."
Aseptia was incorporated in North Carolina in 2006 and utilizes technology licensed at North Carolina State University to produce shelf stable food products that maintain flavor, color and nutrients of fresh foods without refrigeration. The Wright Foods facility will primarily focus on producing shelf stable retail food products for other food companies. Whenever possible, the company will try to source fruits and vegetables from local sources. Read more.
Cabinet company thrives in Western N.C.
Governor Bev Perdue on Oct. 28 announced that Gourmet Group LLC will acquire the assets of Geppetto Kitchens and expand the manufacturing capacity of the plant. Gourmet Group will continue to produce the Geppetto brand of kitchen cabinets over the next five years. The project is expected to create 136 jobs and the company expects to invest over $2.3 million in the project over the next three years. The project was made possible in part by a $270,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The N.C. Department of Commerce's Bill Payne was the developer on this project.
Gourmet Group will undertake aggressive but measured growth of the Geppetto brand through both geographic expansion and new product development. The company will manufacture its own doors and drawer boxes internally, reducing both costs and production lead times. The location in Rutherford County was selected because of the ample labor supply and excellent community college training resources. Read more.
Cabinet company to create 136 jobs in Rutherford County (The Asheville Citizen-Times, Oct. 28)
N.C.'s furniture industry highlighted
On Oct. 25 the N.C. Department of Commerce International Trade Division presented a new furniture-related section of Commerce's website at the High Point Furniture Market. Chairman Charlie Greene of the N.C. Furnishings Export Council and N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll kicked off the meeting of the council with furniture trade experts and company executives from around the globe. CEO Thomas Conley of the High Point Furniture Market briefed the group on a successful 2011 market.
"We had a number of opportunities in other states but the combination of educational resources, financial assistance and a strong labor pool led us to Rutherford County. This grant will allow us to accelerate our development program in support of our cabinetry business."
—John Wilson, chairman of Gourmet Group, on the company's announcement that it will expand in Western North Carolina
|
|
|
|
Introducing AccessNC: Location data on your mobile device
This week, the N.C. Department of Commerce introduces an innovative new way to access the state’s buildings and sites database directly from your smart phone or mobile device. The AccessNC mobile app, now available for Apple’s iPhone and iPad platforms, allows you to search available properties from all across the state. Build personalized lists of properties for quick reference later and create personal notes for each property. Using the mobile device’s location tracking abilities, it’s also easy to review maps for each property and to generate driving directions to those properties from your present location.
Download the app today from the iTunes App Store. Android and Blackberry versions of the mobile app will be available in the near future.
The mobile app adds new functionality to North Carolina’s one-stop information portal for site selectors and economic developers. AccessNC, previously known as the Economic Development Intelligence System, is the state's online resource for business decision makers offering access to the labor, demographic, economic and property information they need when considering North Carolina business locations. You can visit and search the complete AccessNC portal from our main website at ThriveNC.com.
Governor Bev Perdue signs a declaration declaring Solar Homestead Week in North Carolina with the Appalachian State University Solar Decathlon team.
Perdue helps celebrate ASU solar homestead
Governor Bev Perdue made a stop in Boone Oct. 28 to recognize Appalachian State University students and faculty for their participation in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon 2011 international competition.
Perdue signed a proclamation declaring Oct. 28-Nov. 4 as Appalachian State University Solar Homestead Week. Perdue first met members of the Solar Homestead team during a visit this spring to Hardin Park School in Boone. She toured the Solar Homestead construction site during the summer and updated citizens about the project on her blog and in statewide emails. Read more. Learn about the Solar Homestead project.
Governor celebrates App's win In Solar Decathlon (GoBlueRidge.Net, Oct. 30)
N.C. communities honored for small business innovation
Governor Perdue on Nov. 1 honored nine North Carolina communities with the inaugural Governor's Innovative Small Business Community Award for their creative and innovative ways to help small businesses bring jobs to North Carolina. Two-thirds of all new jobs are created by small businesses, making them critical economic drivers for local communities across the state.
"Small businesses are the backbone of North Carolina's economy. Supporting our small business owners and entrepreneurs is the best way to improve the unemployment rate," said Perdue. "Part of being the best place to do business is providing support for the innovators, risk-takers and small business owners who create jobs."
The Governor's Innovative Small Business Community Award program recognizes projects, strategies and initiatives that reflect excellence in community economic development, small business and entrepreneurship, and sustainability in North Carolina. Nominated communities were evaluated based on their creative solutions to improve quality of life and well-being through job creation and job sustaining activities.
The award recipients will be honored at a reception at the Executive Mansion on Nov. 14. Read more.
Featured Certified Site
This week's Certified Site is the WestPark A-Duplin County Business & Industry Center (Warsaw, Duplin County). This 124-acre shovel-ready certified industrial park consists of 98 contiguous acres owned by Duplin County. The industrial park is served by a DOT road, water, sewer, gas and rail. In 2010, West Park was voted by the North Carolina Railroad Company as Best Large Industrial Site in North Carolina. View all the documents for this certified site.
Since 2001, the N.C. Certified Sites Program has provided a statewide inventory of industrial sites that have undergone a rigorous pre-qualification process. The program criteria were updated in 2009 to better meet the expectations of consultants and companies operating on a tight timeframe, and looking to reduce risk in the site selection process. All information about the state's Certified Sites is available online as part of the Buildings and Sites component of the Economic Development Intelligence System. Search for a Certified Site.
Volvo Thrives in North Carolina™. The company provides transportation related products and services from manufacturing facilities located in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro and Skyland. Learn more.
Site location project activity in North Carolina is tracked by the N.C. Department of Commerce's Division of Business and Industry. These metrics include the number of new projects assigned to economic developers; the number of economic development project announcements; and the number of announced jobs created and capital invested.
Jan. 1 - Nov. 3, 2011
| New projects assigned: |
336 |
| Projects announced: |
137 |
| Jobs created: |
12,790 |
| Capital invested: |
$2.642B |
|
