Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced on Dec. 30 that Key Gas Components Inc. will be expanding its manufacturing operation in McDowell County. The company plans to create 37 new jobs and invest more than $2.2 million during the next three years in Marion. The N.C. Department of Commerce’s Bill Payne was the developer on this project.
“Western North Carolina’s talented workforce continues to serve as a strong recruiting tool for existing and prospective companies,” said McCrory. “Key Gas Components’ expansion in McDowell County is a strong sign of continued economic progress in the West. This is another great example of a company partnering with our strong community college system to benefit the region.”
Key Gas Components is a closely held, family-owned and operated manufacturing and engineering services company operating a 35,000-sq.-ft. facility in Marion. It produces gas valves, fittings, and orifices for the gas appliance industry.
“We are very excited to be expanding our business into McDowell County,” said Key Gas Components President Jim Kuhn. “Our experience here over the last 10 years has been very positive. The strong manufacturing skills and solid work ethic of the folks that live in this area, coupled with the creation of the Universal Industrial Skill Training Center at McDowell Technical Community College, gives us a high confidence that we will be able to hire the right people to add to our team and that this project will be a success. I would like to thank Governor McCrory, McDowell Economic Development Association and N.C. Department of Commerce for their leadership and assistance with the project.”
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $110,000.
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.