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10/21/2004 |
Economic Development |
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Southeastern Container Announces New Plant In Kings Mountain |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 21, 2004; 6:30 p.m.
Southeastern Container, Inc. Announces Plans for New Plant in Kings Mountain
(Kings Mountain, NC) – A plastics manufacturer is expanding into Cleveland County and economic development officials are anticipating the creation of up to 100 jobs with an investment of $26 million. The company will begin operations at the new facility in January of 2005.
The Cleveland County Chamber’s Economic Development department is announcing the expansion of Southeastern Container, Incorporated into an existing 300,000 square-foot facility located in the Kings Mountain Corporate Center (owned by Johnson Development). The Enka, North Carolina-based company expects to hire approximately 80 employees and is already anticipating the need for future expansion.
According to Southeastern Container General Manager Bruce Sampson, the Kings Mountain facility will produce blow-molded plastic bottles used by Coca-Cola Bottling Companies. “We are excited about this new venture on several fronts,” said Sampson. “First of all, the expansion into Kings Mountain brings us closer to our customer, which is an obvious benefit. Secondly, the facility is great and allows us the opportunity for expansion in the future. Finally, the community has been terrific to work with and the utility rates are very attractive for our business.”
Southeastern Container is a growing company with nine facilities in the eastern half of the United States. In North Carolina, the Enka plant will continue as primarily an injection-molding facility, and Kings Mountain will be a blow-molding facility.
Cleveland County Manager Lane Alexander believes that although competition from other states for this project was tough, Cleveland County prevailed. “We are delighted that Southeastern Container has chosen Cleveland County,” said Alexander. “The 80 to 100 positions will help our unemployed and underemployed citizens and the $26 million investment will add to our tax base. We will work to maintain a strong relationship with this company and will assist them in any way we can as they grow in the future.”
Known as “Project Mia,” economic development officials have been working with the company for approximately four months. According to Scott Darnell, Senior Vice President of Economic Development, in the next five years, the company could receive potential incentives in the amount of $785,000 from Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain combined.
“We are excited about the location of Southeastern Container in Cleveland County,” said Darnell. “The plastics industry has been targeted within our economic development plan. Michael Catanese of Whiteside Industrial, Garrett Scott of Johnson Development, Cleveland County, City of Kings Mountain, NC Department of Commerce, and Duke Power all worked as a team to make this a successful project for Cleveland County.”
Kings Mountain Corporate Center is a business park established by Johnson Development Associates which provides companies with the opportunity to occupy spec buildings under a long-term lease. “We are thrilled with Southeastern Container’s investment in Cleveland County and Johnson Development,” said Garrett Scott. “And it validates our initial decision to develop this type of industrial park in Cleveland County.”
Kings Mountain Mayor Rick Murphrey says the city has worked hard to ensure the proper infrastructure is in place in order to attract quality companies to the area. “We welcome Southeastern Container to Kings Mountain and we will continue our efforts to offer low tax and utility rates to attract companies and their new jobs to our community,” said Murphrey. “This is the best way to remain competitive in a global economy and secure good jobs for our citizens.”
Residents who are interested in employment with Southeastern Container can contact the local Employment Security Commission office for more information about specific positions available. For more information, call the Cleveland County Chamber at (704) 487-8521.
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