Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Edwards Wood Products Inc./Woodlawn will expand with a new saw mill in McDowell County. The company plans to create 32 jobs and invest more than $1.96 million, including lease payments, during the next three years in Marion. The project was made possible in part by a $96,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina is a leader in the wood products industry and continues to see expansions by strong, locally owned manufacturing companies,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our skilled workers, custom training programs and top-rated business climate are top attractions for companies looking for the best location to grow and thrive.”
Edwards Wood Products Inc., headquartered in Marshville, operates four facilities employing more than 350 workers in Alamance, Scotland and Union counties. The company plans to open a new facility, Edwards Wood Products/Woodlawn, in McDowell County to produce lumber, chips, sawdust, bark and other products.
Salaries will vary by job function, but the annual average wage for the new jobs will be $27,904, not including benefits. That is above the McDowell County average annual wage of $27,768.
“We are fortunate that our companies have experienced success and see this new endeavor as instrumental in our continued upward growth,” said Jeffrey G. Edwards, president of Edwards Wood Products Inc./Woodlawn. “Our existing customer base in the McDowell County area and the opportunity to further expand that customer base is both appealing and challenging. With the incentives offered by the county and the state, we have a very good opportunity to create an atmosphere of growth and prosperity for the families employed by our new company, Edwards Wood Products, Inc./Woodlawn, the surrounding businesses and our customers, and an overall opportunity to strengthen economic growth.”
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.
“During these tough economic times, it’s critical to make the right investments to create jobs in North Carolina and encourage companies to expand,” said Sen. Joe Sam Queen.
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.
Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners who helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Department of Revenue, McDowell County, McDowell Economic Development Association, McDowell Technical Community College and the Employment Security Commission.
For more information about Edwards Wood Products Inc., including job opportunities with the company, go to: www.ewpi.com.