Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, a nationwide nonprofit, community advocacy and homeownership organization, will expand its Charlotte operations. NACA plans to invest $4 million and create 1,014 jobs over the next five years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $1 million grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina remains a strong presence in the U.S. finance sector and this is a tremendous opportunity for the Charlotte-area,” Perdue said. “Our top-rated business climate and skilled financial services workforce are attractive to growing national operations.”
Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, headquartered in Boston, operates more than 40 offices nationwide and is one of the most effective community and mortgage companies in the country. The organization, started in 1988, has the primary goal of building strong, healthy neighborhoods nationwide through affordable homeownership. NACA operations include financial counseling, specialized mortgage services and a Home Save program for homeowners with an unaffordable mortgage.
NACA currently employs about 100 workers in Mecklenburg County to originate and process mortgage loans. Under the five-year One NC agreement, the organization plans to add 1,014 new jobs to the mortgage loan operation, including 550 jobs to be added immediately. Although wages will vary by function, those jobs will pay an average annual wage of $35,982.
“NACA is excited that it’s putting more than 1,000 people to work during these tough economic times. Today’s announcement is more than just a sound bite – we are following through on this investment by holding a jobs fair tomorrow to hire 500 people immediately,” NACA CEO Bruce Marks said. “These jobs are crucial as NACA leads the campaign nationwide to make mortgages affordable for homeowners at risk of losing their homes.”
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.
“Charlotte continues to be attractive because of our knowledgeable financial services workforce, and we welcome NACA’s investment in North Carolina,” said Sen. Dan Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg)
“During these tough economic times, North Carolina and Charlotte continue to be attractive to companies looking to invest in and expand their operations,” said Rep. Tricia Cotham (D-Mecklenburg)
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 35,000 jobs and $6.5 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other project partners include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Charlotte/Mecklenburg Workforce Development Consortium and Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, including employment opportunities, go to: www.naca.com.
In addition, a jobs fair is set for Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, at NACA’s Counseling Center, 5855 Executive Center Dr., Charlotte.