Press Release from Henderson Co. Partnership for Economic Development: Henderson Co. Wins 338 Jobs, $30m Continental Expansion
Date Posted: 7/20/2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM HENDERSON CO. PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Largest Manufacturing Job Creation Project in WNC in over 10 Years
Hendersonville , NC – Business and government leaders gathered at Continental’s Fletcher manufacturing facility on Monday, July 20, 2009 to announce and celebrate the brake systems and component manufacturer’s expansion. The company will invest over $30 million and add 338 new jobs over the next 5 years.
Mayor of Fletcher, Bill Moore, welcomed attendees to the event and expressed support for Continental’s project. He said, “The Town of Fletcher places priority on retaining and growing our advanced manufacturing base. We are proud to have been an active participant in Continental’s decision to locate this investment and job creation project.”
Mayor Moore introduced Governor Beverly Perdue who detailed North Carolina’s commitment to the automotive industry and awarded the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 60 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of 9 years. Governor Perdue said, “Established companies continue to grow here because they know the value of our top business climate, skilled workforce and tremendous quality of life.”
Continental representative Heinz Zengel and plant manager Bobby Nelon addressed the group and approximately 200 employees. Nelon said, “The employees in the Henderson facility today make a strong foundation for growing this plant. This is a great example of government and business working together to secure jobs in North Carolina. I strongly believe that the outstanding employees of this plant will continue to compete with any automotive plant in the world, in terms of cost, quality and productivity.” The 338 new jobs created by Continental will average $36,179 in overall wages, not including benefits.
Bill Moyer, Chair of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners. noted the day as an opportunity to celebrate seven months of work to locate the project in Henderson County. Moyer placed the announcement into context, stating, “This project is significant because it is the largest manufacturing job creation project in Western North Carolina in over a decade, and one of the largest in Henderson County ever.” Moyer thanked Continental’s management for their decision, and thanked current employees for positioning the facility for this growth opportunity.
The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) organization that works to: retain and attract quality jobs; solicit new business compatible with the assets and values of Henderson County; promote Henderson County ’s business image; assist expansion of existing companies; and enhance Henderson County ’s overall quality of life. For more information on the Partnership visit www.strategiclocation.com.
Back
|
Testimonial
In an effort to respond to the diverse economic development needs of North Carolina, then State Representative Martin Nesbitt introduced legislation creating the regional economic development partnerships. It was this extraordinary insight that allowed AdvantageWest to become one of the most innovative and nimble economic development programs in the state.
Gordon S. Myers
Founding Chair
AdvantageWest Board of Directors
Amanda Baranski
, Executive Assistant & Assistant Corporate Secretary
AdvantageWest
134 Wright Brothers Way
Fletcher, NC 28732
ph. 828-687-7234
fx. 828-687-7552
Email Amanda Baranski
|
