Raleigh, N.C. Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that Oak Valley Hardwoods, Inc. is planning to expand operations into Graham County and create 114 new jobs. The company plans to invest more than $10.1 million over the next five years in Robbinsville.
“Oak Valley Hardwoods is another one of North Carolina’s great homegrown success stories,” said Governor McCrory. “Starting out 10 years ago, this business has steadily grown into one of the country’s major lumber suppliers to overseas markets.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, Oak Valley Hardwoods is a subsidiary of Tides and Times Group USA, Inc., and operates lumber, saw mill and dry kiln facilities and produces an assortment of wood products. It already has operations in locations across North Carolina including Rutherford, Haywood, Caldwell, McDowell and Polk counties employing more than 160 workers.
“Timber is one of North Carolina’s great renewable resources, so the expansion of Oak Valley Hardwoods is important to that industry,” said Secretary Decker. “I am looking forward to seeing even more expansion in the timber sector in the future.”
Salaries will vary by job function and will include accounting, log traders, sales, operators, foresters, and office/clerical positions. The annual payroll for the new jobs created by this expansion will be $3.4 million.
“We are excited about the opportunity to expand our operations into Graham County,” said Oak Valley Hardwoods CEO Jimmy Lee. “It has been a pleasure working with the Town of Robbinsville, Graham County, and the State of North Carolina, and we appreciate the support we have received. We plan on moving into the old Stanley Furniture Building quickly and look forward to a successful 2015.”
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $156,000. 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.
“Oak Valley Hardwoods' decision to expand in Graham County is a testament to the high caliber of the county's people and its leadership,” said Senator Jim Davis. “This is great news for the hardworking citizens of Graham who will soon welcome new jobs and an energized economy.”
“These new jobs will be a welcome addition to Graham County,” said Representative Roger West. “I want to personally welcome Oak Valley Hardwoods to Robbinsville, and look forward to having this company in our community.”
In addition to the N.C. Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., other partners that helped with this project include: North Carolina Community College System, Tri-County Community College, Duke Energy, Town of Robbinsville, Graham County, and Graham County Economic Development.