Local and state leaders work side by side to recruit companies to North Carolina and assist those already here to grow and expand. In today’s competitive environment, NC Commerce has several economic development programs, including our Job Development Investment Grant reimbursement program. 2015 represented a vigorous year once we hit July 1st when the NC Competes legislation cleared the way for more projects and offered businesses more certainty through 2020.
Here is a snapshot of the top five job announcements in our Job Development Investment Grant program.
- Novo Nordisk | Announced August 26 in Johnston County. Novo Nordisk Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc., represents the largest capital investment in JDIG program history. The company said it will invest $1.8 billion at its Johnston County site over the next five years. The leading global manufacturer of insulin and related diabetes treatment products will double the size of its North Carolina workforce with 691 new jobs at a new bio-manufacturing facility in Clayton.
Jesper Høiland, President of Novo Nordisk Inc. USA and Executive Vice President Novo Nordisk A/S said, “We already have a large and very professional organization here, and have been impressed by the excellent collaboration we have had with this city, county and state leadership, and appreciate the incentives they have secured in connection with this investment.”
- Fidelity | Announced November 27 in Durham County. Fidelity Investments® will add 600 jobs during three years and invest a minimum of $8 million across its Triangle facilities, including its Durham County campus. Fidelity established a significant Research Triangle presence in 2002 with its acquisition of an employee benefits business. The firm later designated North Carolina as a regional technology center of excellence, added a data center, built a customer contact center and is also home to Fidelity Charitable and multiple operations groups.
“Fidelity has found North Carolina to be a great place to grow and we are pleased to be adding 600 more jobs by the end of 2018, predominantly in technology,” said Joan Vinas, senior vice president and North Carolina regional leader for Fidelity Investments. “More than half of our North Carolina employees are building careers in technology, operations and customer facing positions, and we plan to hire more of the state’s diverse and talented workforce as we continue to grow. We thank Governor McCrory, Secretary Skvarla, the N.C. General Assembly, the N.C. Community College System and Durham County for their collaboration and partnership.”
- Project Trent Futures | Announced December 17 in New Hanover County. Project detail here.
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- Red Ventures | Announced December 8 in Mecklenburg County. Red Ventures will expand its Mecklenburg County operations by adding 500 jobs over the next five years. The technology and marketing company plans to invest $5 million at its facility in Charlotte over the same period. Founded in 2000, Red Ventures is the country’s largest technology-enabled platform for sales and marketing organizations. The company uses advanced analytics and proprietary technology to optimize client leads and close sales for some of the nation’s top brands.
“Our continued investment in the Charlotte region centers around attracting and retaining the best talent,” said Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures. “We’re excited to have established a partnership with the State of North Carolina that brings top-tier jobs and facilities to the region.”
- BSH Home Appliances | Announced December 17 in New Hanover County. BSH Home Appliances Corporation plans to create 460 new jobs in Craven County during the next five years and invest nearly $80.7 million at the current site in New Bern through the end of 2019. The company is the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide. BSH Home Appliances built its first plant in New Bern in 1997 and has since undertaken several expansion projects. BSH facilities in New Bern produce and distribute dishwashers, ovens, ranges and cooktops.
“The investment BSH Home Appliances will make to expand its manufacturing, central distribution and call center operations in New Bern exemplifies our ongoing commitment to the State of North Carolina,” said Frank Rebmann, commercial director at BSH Home Appliances. “We would like to thank the State of North Carolina and Craven County for its support of this important expansion.”
- Ashley Furniture | Announced October 13 in Davie County. Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., (Ashley) plans to create 454 new jobs in Davie County during the next five years and invest at least 8.7 million at the current site through the end of 2019. This announcement comes on the heels of Ashley’s initial phase of development where it committed to create 550 jobs and invest $80 million between 2012 and 2015. Ashley exceeded these commitments by creating more than 1,100 jobs and investing more than $250 million into its new state-of-the-art furniture manufacturing and distribution facility; and related training and development activities in Advance.
Todd Wanek, Ashley’s President and CEO remarked, “We are extremely pleased with the pro-business attitude of the State of North Carolina and the efforts of our entire team. It has been a challenging and fulfilling journey, and we look forward to a very bright future in North Carolina.”