Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Nature’s Earth Products Inc., the nation’s largest supplier of natural cat litter and manufacturer of hardwood-blend fuel pellets, is opening a new manufacturing facility in Laurinburg. The company plans to invest more than $12 million and create 98 jobs during the next three years in Scotland County. The announcement was made possible in part by a $196,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina’s forward-looking policies continue to attract companies specializing in emerging green-industry markets,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our state’s skilled workforce, top-rated business climate and extraordinary quality of life offer the perfect environment for businesses like this one to locate and expand here.”
The 98 new jobs will pay a minimum average wage of $29,362, not including benefits. That is higher than the Scotland County average wage of $28,704.
Nature’s Earth Products, headquartered in Florida, produces Feline Pine, a natural-product cat litter, as well as a variety of unique, environmentally-friendly products including Equine Pine bedding and Freedom Fuel pellet stove fuel. The company’s first plant in North Carolina, to be built in a vacant facility, will turn sawmill byproduct into pellets.
“We are very excited to be locating our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in North Carolina,” said Company Spokesman Ken Simard. “The assistance and cooperation by Gov. Perdue's office made our decision to locate in Laurinburg extremely easy. We’re confident our partnership with the state and Scotland County will enable us to meet or exceed our growth targets over the next three years.”
The One North Carolina 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. All of these grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
“North Carolina continues to be a great state for businesses to locate, and we welcome Nature’s Earth Products to Scotland County,” said Sen. Bill Purcell (D-Scotland).
“North Carolina’s tremendous workforce continues to attract businesses to our state, and we’re excited to have the jobs coming to Scotland County,” said Rep. Doug Yongue (D-Scotland).
“In these tough economic times we must continue to invest in opportunities to create jobs in all parts of North Carolina,” said Rep. Garland Pierce (D- Scotland).
Through use of the One North Carolina Fund, more than 35,000 jobs and $6.5 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Project partners include: the state Department of Commerce, Scotland County, City of Laurinburg and the N.C. Rural Center.
For more information about Nature’s Earth Products Inc., including employment opportunities, contact the company at: cbragg@naturesearth.com.