igh, NC - Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Electrolux, a global leader in home and professional appliances, will expand its headquarters in Charlotte.
The company plans to create an additional 810 jobs in Charlotte by the end of 2017 and invest $85 million in its Mecklenburg County location. The project was made possible in part by an award from the state Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) program. Receipt of the award is based on proof of job creation and other performance requirements.
“We’re proud to partner with Electrolux to help them bring more high-paying STEM jobs to North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory. “This announcement helps solidify our position as a state with a skilled workforce and strong business climate, and a place where global companies operate their North American headquarters with much success.”
Electrolux located its North American Headquarters in Charlotte in 2010 and is planning to expand its presence with the construction of a new facility adjacent to its current headquarters. The new facility will be home to much of the company’s research and development activities as well as marketing, design, engineering, supply chain, finance, IT and executive management. The company currently employs nearly 1,500 people in North Carolina, including approximately 760 at its current headquarters in Charlotte. The others are employed at a manufacturing facility in Kinston and a parts distribution center in Asheville.
“The North Carolina Department of Commerce is committed to working with existing companies to spur job creation and growth,” said Secretary Decker. “We congratulate Electrolux for their success and for investing in North Carolina once again. They’ve been a strong community partner in Mecklenburg County and we look forward to that increasing.”
“Electrolux is committed to bringing innovative solutions to consumers and advanced manufacturing,” said Jack Truong, president and CEO of Electrolux Major Appliances North America. "As a leader in appliance R&D, innovation and beautiful design, we’re excited about what this new expansion means for the future of our business and that our continued investment in Charlotte will help bring jobs and drive economic growth.”
Compensation will vary by job function, but the average annual compensation for the new positions is expected to be approximately $100,000 plus benefits. The average annual wage in Mecklenburg County is $57,144.
“This is a major jobs announcement for both Charlotte and North Carolina,” said Rep. Kelly Alexander. “We welcome this expansion of Electrolux and wish them continued success.”
Today, the state Economic Investment Committee voted to award a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) to Electrolux. JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant.
Under the terms of the company’s JDIG award, Electrolux is eligible to receive up to 12 annual grants equal to 75 percent of the state personal income tax withholdings from the eligible new jobs created since the date of the initial award. Receipt of each annual grant is based on state-certified proof that the company has fulfilled incremental jo b creation and capital investment requirements. Over 12 years, the JDIG award could yield aggregate benefits to Electrolux of up to $27.4 million.
In addition, up to $9.1 million in additional funds from the company’s JDIG award could be added to the state’s Utility Fund for infrastructure improvements in economically distressed counties. When a JDIG is awarded to a company whose site is located in the state’s more economically prosperous counties such as Mecklenburg, 25 percent of the company’s grant is allocated to the Utility Fund to encourage economic development in less prosperous counties. For more information on the county tier designations, visit: http://www.nccommerce.com/research-publications/incentive-reports/county-tier-designations/.
Other partners who assisted with this announcement include: The N.C. Department of Commerce, Mecklenburg County, City of Charlotte, and the Charlotte Chamber.
Electrolux sells and distributes more than 50 million products to customers in more than 150 countries every year. Products include refrigerators, freezers, washers and dryers, and dishwashers. Products are sold under the Electrolux, Frigidaire, and Eureka brands in North America. For more information about Electrolux, including job opportunities, visit: http://group.electrolux.com/en/career-opportunities-203/.