Governor Cooper Announces 375 New Jobs with EY Expansion in Mecklenburg County
Ernst & Young LLP (EY), one of the largest professional services organizations in the world, will expand in Mecklenburg County creating 375 jobs and investing $8.2 million in Charlotte over the next five years, Governor Roy Cooper announced today (February 27).
The expansion includes development of an EY wavespace innovation center. The center will be part of the EY wavespace global network of growth and innovation centers bringing together multi-disciplinary teams to focus on disruptive growth, improvement strategies and technologies.
"North Carolina is a powerhouse for financial and professional services because of the ambitious, talented people who live and work here and the educational and training resources at their fingertips," said Governor Roy Cooper. "The EY wavespace innovation center in Charlotte will create even more opportunities for North Carolinians to develop new ideas and creative solutions."
The EY wavespace in Charlotte will help clients face the challenges and opportunities of continuous change. EY wavepsace locations feature a shared methodology and platform that combines EY's deep industry domain and regulatory experience with EY's experience in disruptive technologies, such as robotic process automation (RPA) or the Internet of Things (IoT).
"This is an exciting time for EY and the state of North Carolina. We are seeing new and diverse skills bringing creative ideas and innovation to business leaders across the State. It's our hope that EY wavespace will build on this momentum, providing a physical location where innovative talents come together to collaborate and navigate this transformative age," said Malcomb Coley, EY Charlotte Office Managing Partner and Carolinas Market Leader.
EY will add a variety of job titles and functions with this project, including positions in areas such as forensic investigation, dispute data analytics, digital development, data analytics and robotics. Salaries for the new positions will vary by position with a minimum average salary of $74,926. The Mecklenburg County average wage is $65,285.
EY's expansion in Mecklenburg County will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project will help the state's economy grow by an estimated $596 million. The company could receive up to $3,216,750 spread over 12 years, if its job creation and investment targets are met.
Because EY chose to locate in Mecklenburg County, classified by the state's economic tier system as Tier 3, the company's JDIG agreement also calls for moving as much as $1,072,250 into the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.
Partnering with N.C. Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Mecklenburg County, and the City of Charlotte.
Governor Cooper Announces 305 New Jobs in Granville County
RiceWrap Foods Corporation, a food manufacturer with a unique, patent-pending method of producing and delivering rice for sushi, will create 305 new jobs in Granville County. The company will invest $9.9 million in Butner to locate a production facility.
"Finding a creative way to solve a problem can spark a new business and create new jobs," Gov. Cooper said. "Our friendly business climate and dependable workforce give innovative companies like RiceWrap Foods all the ingredients they need to succeed."
Governor Cooper made the announcement February 22.
RiceWrap Foods Corporation, founded by father and son Richard and Kyle Cronk, has invented a product that solves the challenge of consistent preparation of sushi rice in the food service industry. Rice is a key ingredient for the Japanese dish and true Japanese-trained sushi chefs spend five years learning the intricacies of making the rice. The Cronks created a method to produce frozen sushi rice sheets that can easily be thawed while retaining a consistent and outstanding flavor and texture, ready to roll in just minutes. The company's clients include the grocery chains Whole Foods and Lunds & Byerly's, as well as a variety of colleges and universities, hotels and caterers.
RiceWrap recently attracted a strategic investment from Bumble Bee Seafoods, the well-known national brand of tuna. Bumble Bee's investment will support the operational expansion.
"My wife and I built our first house in Granville County 40 years ago, and started our family here," said Richard Cronk, Chairman and CEO of RiceWrap Foods. "We deeply appreciate the strong support from our community and from the Governor's Office, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Granville County and the Town of Butner. We also appreciate the strong support from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center."
"RiceWrap Foods offers our employees flexible, family-oriented employment schedules," said Kyle Cronk, Vice President of Operations for the company. "We look forward to producing our product with the talented Granville County workforce as our company continues its rapid growth."
RiceWrap Foods will add a variety of job functions with this expansion, including production operators, logistics and sales personnel, and managers. Salaries for the new positions will average $40,005, which is higher than the current Granville County average wage of $38,857.
"Innovation takes many forms and a good idea can transform any industry, from software and biotechnology to food production," said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. "We congratulate Rice Wrap Foods for bringing unique products to the market and good jobs to Granville County."
RiceWrap Food Corporation's location into Granville County will be facilitated in part by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) that authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,896,000, spread over 12 years, if job creation and investment targets are met.
Because RiceWrap Foods chose to locate in Granville County, classified by the state's economic tier system as Tier 3, the company's JDIG agreement also calls for moving as much as $632,000 into the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.
Partnering with North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Partnership of North Carolina on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Duke Energy, Granville County, the Town of Butner, and Granville County Economic Development.
Secretary Copeland (right) with GE Aviation employees in Durham yesterday.
Secretary Copeland Celebrates GE Aviation Milestone in Durham
North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland visited GE Aviation in Durham yesterday (February 26) to celebrate an important milestone for the company.
Airbus Americas and GE Aviation marked a long-standing partnership and the milestone delivery of the 200th CFM LEAP-1A Engine Core to be produced at GE Aviation's Durham, North Carolina facility. More than 200 employees at the facility were joined by leaders of Airbus Procurement from Europe and the U.S.
"North Carolina consistently ranks as one of the nation's best places to do business," said Secretary Copeland. "The number one reason that's true is the talent and dedication of our workforce. We congratulate the employees here at GE Aviation for their hard work as we celebrate today's impressive milestone."
Rural Communities Receive $3.9 Million in Grants, Attracting 222 New Jobs
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) approved 16 grant requests totaling $3,948,755 at its February 22 board meeting. The requests include commitments to create a total of 683 jobs, 461 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $142.8 million in private investment.
"Our rural communities have so much to offer businesses, but sometimes need additional investment in infrastructure to compete," said N.C. Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland. "The Rural Infrastructure Authority helps communities prepare buildings and industrial sites to better compete for business."
The North Carolina Department of Commerce's team of rural economic development professionals supports the Authority's work. Authority members review and approve funding requests from local communities. Funding comes from a variety of specialized grant and loan programs offered and managed by N.C. Commerce's Rural Economic Development Division, led by Deputy Secretary for Workforce and Rural Development Napoleon Wallace and Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Kenny Flowers. Grants can support a variety of activities, including infrastructure development, building renovation, expansion and demolition, and site improvements.
"The Rural Economic Development Division at Commerce works in partnership with our rural communities to find solutions that help attract business," said Assistant Secretary Flowers. "I'm proud of the projects we approved today and look forward to continue helping these communities grow."
Details on each of the RIA awarded projects is available online.
Governor Cooper Announces 65 New Jobs in Stanly County with Manufacturer
Quality Enclosures, Inc., a manufacturer of shower enclosures and tempered glass will create 65 full-time jobs over four years at a new facility in Stanly County, Governor Roy Cooper announced February 22. The company will invest nearly $3.3 million to upfit a vacant building in Albemarle and open a high-tech tempering operation, shower door distribution center and national training center.
"Manufacturers know North Carolina is the place to grow thanks to our strong workforce, favorable business climate, and exceptional worker training," said Governor Cooper. "These new manufacturing positions will bring valuable job opportunities to help these rural communities thrive."
The distribution center will service South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. The training center will host hands-on training for employees and customers from across the United States.
"The expansion into North Carolina will give us the ability to produce tempered glass with a lower cost and increased safety for our employees," said Steve Schwartz, CEO of Quality Enclosures. "By locating in North Carolina, we will double our tempered glass production, which will be shipped daily to our Tennessee and Georgia shower door manufacturing plants. Without the help of the Great State of North Carolina, Stanley County and the City of Albemarle this would not be possible."
"Manufacturers continue to choose North Carolina because of our proximity to major interstates and railroads, our infrastructure and our quality talent and training opportunities," said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland. "Quality Enclosures will bring welcome jobs and investment to Stanly County with this project."
A performance-based grant of $150,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Quality Enclosures expansion to North Carolina.
In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Partnership of North Carolina other key partners in the project include North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Stanly County, the City of Albemarle, Stanly County Economic Development Commission, and ElectriCities,
20 Automotive and Aerospace Jobs Coming to Cherokee County
TEAM Industries Andrews, Inc., an engineering-driven design and manufacturing company, will add 20 jobs and invest $3 million at its facility in Andrews. News of the expansion was announced February 22.
TEAM Industries specializes in machining technically-difficult precision gears and components for various automotive, recreational, aerospace and agricultural industries. TEAM Industries has been in Andrews since 2005. Customers include Harley Davidson, Polaris Industries, Curtiss-Wright and Bombardier Recreational Products. The renovation will include upgrades to air conditioning that will allow TEAM Industries to better control critical processes and products.
Greg Boehm, General Manager of TEAM Industries Andrews, Inc., said "The assistance from the state is greatly appreciated; it should allow TEAM to acquire better qualified employees and provide an improved working environment."
TEAM is an acronym which stands for Technology, Engineering, Automation and Manufacturing.
A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Team Industries' expansion to North Carolina.
In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Partnership of North Carolina other key partners in the project include North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Tri-County Community College, and Cherokee County.
Manufacturer of Retail Displays to Create 57 Jobs in Beaufort County
A manufacturer of Point of Purchase displays and recycling bins has selected Beaufort County for its corporate headquarters and a manufacturing facility, creating 57 jobs over three years.
InterMarket Technology, Inc. (IMT) will locate operations in Washington, NC and invest nearly $2.7 million.
"North Carolina is a national leader for manufacturing and we're excited to welcome a new manufacturer to put down roots in our state," said Governor Roy Cooper. "Companies like InterMarket Technology are attracted to our friendly business climate and skilled workforce, and we're striving to make our workforce even stronger so we can keep bringing good jobs to North Carolina."
"We look forward to tapping into the many resources North Carolina has to offer," said Scott R. Gardner, CEO and Founder of IMT. "We are planning on creating new jobs for operations and to introduce and expand a variety of products made of wood, steel and plastic."
Founded in 1995, IMT designs and manufactures displays for Fortune 500 consumer goods companies and retail store chains. IMT is known for its market leading position in convenience, grocery and dollar stores providing indoor and outdoor merchandising equipment for companies such as Nestle, Coke, Pepsi, Clorox, Dollar General and Speedway. IMT also produces unique recycling and donation bins distributed nationally.
A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate InterMarket Technology's relocation to North Carolina.In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Partnership of North Carolina other key partners in the project include North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, NCWorks, ElectriCities, Beaufort County Community College, Beaufort County Schools, the Beaufort County Commissioners, the City of Washington Council, Beaufort County Economic Development Allies, Beaufort County Committee of 100, the Washington Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce, and Beaufort County Economic Development.
N.C. in the News
- RDU to China? Regional stakeholders talk nonstop flights (Triangle Business Journal - February 20)
- N.C. getting new 23-mile interstate connecting I-85, I-40 near Lexington (Courier-Tines - Asheboro - February 15)
- New Initiative Seeks To Find Workforce Gaps (WilmingtonBiz - February 14)
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