After receiving the accolade in 2009 and 2011, North Carolina was again recognized with Area Development‘s 2012 Silver Shovel award. The award is now displayed in the main office of the N.C. Department of Commerce. The economic development resource highlighted the state’s manufacturing industry, noting the impact it will have on expected economic growth in 2012.
Projects from across North Carolina noted in Area Development represented aerospace, automotive, energy and other industries:
- Capgemini, Mecklenburg County, 550 jobs, $4.2 million investment: (Developer David Spratley)
- Celgard, Cabarrus County, 250 jobs, $105M investment (Developer: Margie Bukowski)
- Chiquita Brands Intl., Mecklenburg County, 417 jobs, $14.1M investment (Developer: David Spratley)
- Connextions, Mecklenburg County, 1,200 jobs, $3.2 million (Developer Ron Leitch)
- Horsehead Corp., Rutherford County, 250 jobs, $361M investment (Developer: Dallas Hardenbrook)
- NS Aviation, Forsyth County, 308 jobs, $1.2M investment (Developer: Melissa Smith)
- Pittsburg Glassworks, Surry County, 260 jobs, $85M investment (Developer: Melissa Smith)
- Red Hat, 540 jobs, $109M investment (Developer: Vivian Powell)
- Semprius, Vance County, 256 jobs, $89.7M investment (Developer: Bernard Torain)
- Steven Roberts Original Desserts, Robeson County, 342 jobs, $4.5M investment (Develoer: Ken Allen)
2012 Gold and Silver Shovel awards were awarded to states exhibiting innovative economic development policies that resulted in attracting new employers and driving investments in facilities as well as expansions within existing industry. Read more.