(The Center Square) – One site in eastern North Carolina, two companies seven years apart have said they are coming with 1,800 jobs collectively.
None have ever materialized.
Former Gov. Roy Cooper introduced both, Edgecombe County officials had agreements, and neither Triangle Tyre from 2017 nor Natron Energy last August delivered. Natron could still yet, but the groundbreaking in early 2025 and lack of financing today have the battery manufacturer idled.
The maker for “high-powered applications like AI, data centers, peak shaving and power quality management” planned a $1.4 billion plant with 1,000 jobs lured by $56.3 million in incentives from the state and $129.6 million from Edgecombe County. Published reports indicate the project is paused and not necessarily dead, and Santa Clara, Calif.-headquartered Natron is in need of cash to make it happen.
Triangle Tyre, a Chinese maker of tires, planned a $580 million investment and 800 jobs. It cited a focus on business needs in China three years ago when it pulled out of the deal. Its hold on the Kingsboro megasite was released, giving Natron an option.
According to E2, some $22 billion in clean energy projects nationwide were cancelled in the first half of 2025 – with $6.7 billion of it coming just in June. E2 is a national nonpartisan group bills itself an advocate for “smart policies that are good for the economy and good for the environment.”
