Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Central States Manufacturing Inc., a regional manufacturer of metal building components, will open a new plant in Mount Airy. The company plans to invest more than $4.5 million and create 45 jobs. The announcement was made possible in part by a $135,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina retains a strong presence in the manufacturing sector,” Perdue said. “Our state’s skilled workforce, strategic location and outstanding quality of life continue to attract growing companies such as Central States Manufacturing.”
Central States Manufacturing Inc., headquartered in Arkansas, manufactures and delivers high-quality metal building components to post frame, commercial and residential customers. The employee-owned company currently has manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana and Texas.
Operations at the new metalworking plant will include forming, cutting and assembling coated steel parts and panels. The new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $40,656, not including benefits, which is significantly higher than Surry County’s average annual wage of $28,236.
“We are very excited about expanding our operations into North Carolina and to the eastern region of our market,” said Donna Leger, president of Central States Manufacturing Inc. “The people we have encountered in the Surry County area match our company culture and our values, and we couldn’t be more pleased with our selection of Mount Airy as our fifth plant site.”
The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain our workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other project partners include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Department of Revenue, N.C. Community Colleges, Surry County, City of Mount Airy and the TriadWorks Network.
For more information about Central States Manufacturing, including career opportunities, please visit www.centralstatesmfg.com..