Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced on Dec. 17 that The Solar Connection will locate its manufacturing facility in McDowell County. The company plans to create 50 jobs and invest more than $500,000 over the next three years in Marion. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Cindy Messer was the developer on this project.
“North Carolina will continue to embrace an ‘all of the above’ approach to energy development,” said McCrory. “We applaud The Solar Connection, a veteran-owned company, for its commitment to hire military veteran workers and grow operations in Western North Carolina.”
The Solar Connection will manufacture photovoltaic solar cells and related PV products. The company will initially function as a wholesaler, forming local strategic partnerships with installers. The Solar Connection will also partner with local schools to train employers on solar manufacturing and installation.
“We are proud of our connection to Western North Carolina,” said William Boyle, CEO of The Solar Connection, a wholly owned subsidiary of Boyle Enterprises. “We look forward to developing a local workforce capable of distributing worldwide the most advanced solar products made here in the town of Marion.”
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.
Other partners that helped with this project include: N.C. Community Colleges, McDowell County, the McDowell Economic Development Association, and McDowell Technical Community College. Read more.