(The Center Square) – Perennially a top destination for relocations and expansions, more than a half dozen companies have poured more than $1.2 billion into North Carolina in the last five weeks.
Technology manufacturer ABB earlier this month said it would add 49 jobs as part of a $35 million expansion in the Edgecombe County community of Pinetops. The company designs and manufactures power protection equipment for the electric grid.
The Rural Infrastructure Authority approved a $450,000 grant request for the project.
Last week, grocery retailer group Ahold Delhaize said it would invest $860 million for a distribution center in Burlington. Alamance and Guilford counties are expected to be recipients of up to 500 jobs by the 2030s, with operations expected to open in 2029.
The One North Carolina Fund awarded a performance-based grant of $250,000.
Also last week, digital banking technology provider SoFi Technologies said it would invest $3 million and create 225 jobs in Charlotte. Up to $2.4 million in taxpayer-funded grants from the North Carolina Economic Investment Authority helped land the California-based financial tech firm.
Two projects for Lenoir County were announced.
One is another 74 jobs and $23.7 million in expansion investment for Electrolux and its Kinston facility. The project is recipient of a $200,000 performance-based grant from the OneNC Fund.
The other is a $4 million project for American headquarters of Cardon Rehabilitation & Medication Equipment, the treatment tables and exercise equipment manufacturer from Burlington, Ontario. About 20 jobs are expected and a $60,000 performance-based grant from the OneNC Fund is slated to assist.
Toronto-headquartered MST Rebar, a fiberglass rebar supplier, is coming to the Bladen County community of Bladenboro with a $15.5 million facility and 83 jobs. It, too, will get a $250,000 OneNC Fund grant.
Automotive supplier Judco Manufacturing is investing more than $5.3 million and creating 60 jobs with a relocation of headquarters and its research and development to the Greene County community of Snow Hill. Its OneNC Fund grant is for $125,000.
Retailing giant Walmart has a 12-year, $4 million package from the state for its $300 million investment of a warehouse operation in the Gaston County community of Kings Mountain. The taxpayer subsidy is through the Economic Investment Committee’s job development investment grant program within the state Commerce Department.
Not all projects, however, are needing state money.
Vaxcyte, a clinical-stage vaccine innovation company, has a commercial partnership with the Thermo Fisher facility in the Pitt County hub of Greenville. It says it will establish fill-finish manufacturing in the $1 billion long-term commercial manufacturing commitment.
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines have been a point of criticism by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for testing methods and safety. Vaxcyte CEO Grant Pickering believes the investment complements the Trump administration priorities.
No taxpayer subsidies or grants were announced with Ypsomed’s plans for a $249 million investment and 62 jobs in the Wake County community of Holly Springs. The plant is to produce injection and infusion systems for liquid medications. Up to 200 jobs may eventually be available.
Also without taxpayer subsidies or grants was the Wayflyer announcement on Thursday when it said it would create 20 new jobs at a new headquarters in Charlotte. The company is financier for e-commerce and consumer brands.
And more may be coming.
U.S. Forged Rings says Hertford County is on a short list as it plans a $1 billion project for a new steel manufacturing facility. Nucor, headquartered in Charlotte, is accumulating property near its Cofield location.
