Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Clariant, an international specialty chemicals company, will expand in Mecklenburg County. The company will consolidate customer service and business support operations from Rhode Island to its existing Monroe road facility in Charlotte, adding 50 jobs and investing $2.5 million during the next three years. The project was made possible in part by a $55,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina is a top choice for companies seeking the perfect location to expand and enhance their operations,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our exceptional business climate, along with a focus on job creation and worker training, continues to attract businesses and investment to our state.”
Clariant, headquartered in Switzerland, is a global specialty chemicals company with operations throughout the United States. The company employs nearly 400 people at five facilities in North Carolina, including operations in Gaston, Iredell and Mecklenburg counties. Clariant plans to relocate two businesses from Rhode Island to Charlotte. The relocated operations include customer service, business support, laboratory services and regional sales.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the annual average wage for the new jobs will be $85,796, not including benefits. That is above the Mecklenburg County average annual wage of $48,776.
“With the assistance of the One NC grant, we are able to co-locate two of our businesses with four others based in the Charlotte area and to gain synergies from the infrastructure that supports them. North Carolina offers a favorable business environment that is taking an increasingly progressive approach on matters ranging from workforce development and taxes to transportation and energy,” said Kenneth L. Golder, president of Clariant in North America.
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.
“Mecklenburg County’s workforce continues to be a primary reason why companies continue to look at the Charlotte region to expand and relocate. These jobs are certainly good news,” said Sen. Dan Clodfelter.
“During these tough economic times, it’s critical that North Carolina continues to make the right investments to bring high paying jobs to Mecklenburg County and the rest of the state,” said Rep. Becky Carney.
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its 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 partners who helped with this Clariant project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about Clariant, including employment opportunities, go to:www.clariant.com.