Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Knit-Rite Inc., a national producer of specialized socks and hosiery for the medical market, will expand its manufacturing plant in Richmond County. The company will invest more than $1.1 million and create 24 jobs in Ellerbe. The announcement was made possible in part by a $24,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina remains a favorite choice for successful and expanding manufacturing companies,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our trained workforce and outstanding quality of life continue to attract companies looking for the perfect location to compete in a worldwide marketplace.”
Knit-Rite Inc., headquartered in Kansas, produces prosthetic and diabetic socks, compression hosiery and orthotic textiles. The company owns Therafirm Compression Products in Ellerbe, which operates as a separate division and currently employs 44 workers.
Knit-Rite plans to modernize and expand the Ellerbe facility, where compression hosiery, socks and other specialty textiles are knitted, dyed and finished. The project’s 24 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $22,533, not including benefits.
“We are very pleased to work with the North Carolina Commerce Department and the local Richmond County Economic Development team on our expansion project. Knit-Rite is not only committed to expanding our business, but to investing in the local community,” said Chris Vering, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We are grateful for the incentives provided by the state of North Carolina and Richmond County, as they will help in that expansion and allow us to continue to support local economic stability.”
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.
“Our skilled workforce continues to be a major reason that companies are choosing to grow jobs and expand,” said Sen. Bill Purcell. “We welcome these new jobs in Ellerbe.”
“North Carolina continues to be a perfect place for growing companies to compete in a global economy,” said Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin. “This expansion is good news for Richmond County.
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 and Richmond County Economic Development.
For information on Therafirm, go to: www.therafirm.com. For information about Knit-Rite and job opportunities, go to: www.knitrite.com. Applicants may also e-mail ltrussell@knitrite.com.