Gram's thoughts

Smithfield brings more jobs!

2011-11-10T08:11:00.001-08:00

Smithfield Foods to Create 330 New Jobs in Lenoir County

Company to invest more than $85 million in Kinston facility

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Smithfield Packing Company, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE: SFD), a $12 billion global food company and the world’s largest pork processor, will expand its facility in Lenoir County. The company plans to create 330 new jobs and invest $85.5 million during the next three years in Kinston. The project was made possible in part by a $700,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. As part of the expansion in Kinston, the company will add a new product line of packaged meats. Smithfield Foods currently has more than 12,400 employees across North Carolina.

“Creating jobs is my top priority,” Gov. Perdue said. “North Carolina is an ideal location for global manufacturers to expand. Our skilled workforce, job training programs, commitment to success of agribusinesses and our excellent business climate are drawing more and more companies here.”

Smithfield Packing Company, which operates the existing Kinston facility, was founded in 1936. Primary lines of business include fresh pork, smoked meats, bacon, cooked hams, and hot dogs for retail, foodservice, and deli channels. The company exports products to approximately 30 countries. In addition to the Smithfield brand, its Gwaltney, Esskay, and Cumberland Gap products are among the leaders in their respective markets.

"The expansion of the Kinston plant will allow us to increase our packaged meats production to keep up with growing customer demand for our products," said C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods.

"From a local economic development standpoint, we are pleased that this project will bring additional jobs to North Carolina and add revenue to the local economy," said Tim Schellpeper, president of Smithfield Packing. "North Carolina is a great place to live and work, and we are delighted to contribute to the growth of this region,” he continued.

Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $27,644, plus benefits. The Lenoir County average annual wage is $29,276.

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.

“Smithfield needed what most companies seek: a skilled workforce and a business climate that will help them thrive,” said Rep. William Wainwright, of Havelock. “They found all of that in North Carolina because we worked for so long to invest in education and infrastructure, and we continue to fight for those investments.”

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 55,000 jobs and $11 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Lenoir County, City of Kinston, and N.C.’s Eastern Region.

Furniture Fair Ribbon Cutting

2011-09-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Just celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Furniture Fair at the Kinston Plaza. Please go by and see what they have to offer. If we want our community to grow we must support our local businesses.

Spirit AeroSystems adding jobs!

2011-07-20T06:03:00.000-07:00

Spirit AeroSystems Expands Work

at Global Transpark

Will Create 150-200 Jobs as Part of NC Commitment

RALEIGH—Governor Bev Perdue announced today that a new aviation work package is coming to the state. Spirit AeroSystems Inc., one of the world’s largest independent suppliers of commercial airplane assemblies, will add a new program to its manufacturing operations at the N.C. Global TransPark in Kinston. Spirit will establish production for the Gulfstream G250 wing at the North Carolina facility. The company anticipates that 150-200 jobs will be created over the next 5 years as part of this work package.

“North Carolina continues to be a leader in the aerospace industry more than 100 years after the Wright Brothers made their historic first flight at Kitty Hawk,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “Our community college customized training programs and skilled workforce are critical tools for globally competitive companies like Spirit. This new work package continues Spirit’s significant commitment to bring jobs and investment to North Carolina.”

Today’s announcement is part of Spirit’s overall expansion and existing commitment to create jobs in North Carolina. Spirit already produces a major composite fuselage and leading edge wing spars for the Airbus A350commercial aircraft at the Global TransPark. The new work package announced today will add metallic structures, as well as a general aviation component to Spirit AeroSystems’ operation at the Global TransPark.

“This is the next step in our evolution in North Carolina and further diversifies the work being done at the Kinston site,” said Dan Wheeler, VP/GM of the North Carolina site. “We’ve enjoyed tremendous support from our North Carolina partners and look forward to executing on our two aircraft programs.”

Based in Wichita, Kan., Spirit AeroSystems also has facilities in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla.; Prestwick, Scotland; Preston, England; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France, in addition to its Kinston plant. In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus.

Other partners who assisted with this announcement include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Global TransPark which is an agency of the N.C. Department of Transportation, and Lenoir County.

For more information about Spirit AeroSystems, visit www.spiritaero.com

Analyst: Even Dollar Stores Struggling In ‘Obama Depression’

2011-07-11T13:29:00.000-07:00

Analyst: Even Dollar Stores Struggling In ‘Obama Depression’

2011-03-10T08:43:00.001-08:00

West will expand Kinston factory

The medical products maker plans to invest $29 million and will add jobs.

By John Murawski STAFF WRITER

A medical-products manufacturer plans a second major expansion of a Kinston factory that was destroyed in a 2003 explosion and then rebuilt.

State and local officials will give the company, West Pharmaceutical Services, up to $3.5 million in tax credits and other financial incentives for its promise to invest $29 million at the Kinston plant over five years. The facility in Kinston, about 90 miles southeast of Raleigh, makes components for syringes and injection devices.

The Pennsylvania-based company plans to fill positions in microbiology and engineering, even though the state and local incentives are not contingent on job creation.

West is scheduled to announce plans in Kinston at an event this evening with CEO Donald Morel, state and local public officials, and the Kinston High School Choir.

West said told public officials it selected Kinston for upgrades over other plants in North Carolina, Florida and Nebraska. The $29 million will pay for new technologies in washing, inspection and clean manufacturing processes to be used in the production of pharmaceutical packaging products.

In its home state, meanwhile, West is shutting down a manufacturing facility and laying off 170 employees this year. That facility’s production will be transferred to other sites.

West employs 325 people in Kinston after having added more than 100 jobs in the past four years.

West spokeswoman Genevieve Gadenne said the company has not determined how many more jobs it will add in Kinston. She noted West did not cut jobs locally during the recession.

The local and state incentives are not contingent on job creation, said N.C. Department of Commerce spokeswoman Kimberly McCarl.

For the Kinston expansion, West stands to receive just over $1million in local incen- tives from Lenoir County, up to $500,000 from the state utility fund for infrastructure improvements, and up to $2 million in tax credits from the N.C. Department of Revenue.

Officials at the Lenoir County Economic Development Department could not be reached for comment.

West has had a presence in Kinston since 1975, but the original plant was destroyed in the explosion that killed six people and injured several dozen. The facility was rebuilt in 2004.

West announced a $20 million upgrade in Kinston in 2007. At that time, the company employed 211 at the site.

West committed to create 154 jobs, qualifying for a One N.C. incentive grant worth up to $300,000. To date, West has received $225,000 of that job-creation grant, McCarl said.

john.murawski@newsobserver

.com or 919-829-8932

Tokyo Kinston to reopen!

2011-02-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

I am excited to let you know that the Tokyo Kinston will reopen today February 21! Be sure to go by and show your support. They are located at Fairfield Square on Vernon Avenue in Kinston, NC

2011-02-02T10:10:00.001-08:00

We have just had a wonderful 2 bedroom two bath town-home at 2333 Villa Drive in Kinston come available. It also has a one car garage. Rents for $600/month.

Furniture Fair coming to the Plaza

2011-01-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce that Furniture Fair is coming to the Kinston Plaza in February. They have over 7 locations throughout Eastern North Carolina and offer fine furniture and appliances. We feel that they will be an excellent addition to the Plaza. Be sure to check out their website.

Fundraiser for Colt Brake

2010-12-03T07:56:00.000-08:00

Parrott Academy in Kinston will be hosting a barbecue fundraiser for the young man who was paralyzed at a Parrott football game this past fall. Cost is $5.50 per plate. Includes barbecue, string beans and dessert. Take-out or eat-in between 3:00-7:00. All sales go to Colt Fund.

Colt Brake is from Rocky Mount, NC and attends Rocky Mount Academy. Parrott has a goal of raising $25,000 for his family. I am proud to be associated with a school that has put so much energy in helping these folks as they start this long journey of a new life dealing with this tragic accident. Click here for more info about how APA is trying to help this family. Also this is a website set up to keep folks informed about Colt and his progress.

The new jobs are starting to help

2010-11-30T09:30:00.000-08:00

Sanderson, Spirit, Master-brand et al employees are out and about helping local supply companies and retailers. Several people I have talked to who are in the business of supplying to these companies are seeing a uptick in business. Also several of our retailers are seeing an increase in business and can attribute it to the employees of these new companies. Hold on folks, I see brighter days ahead!

Great house for rent

2010-11-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

We have just finished renovating a great house at 1206 Airlee Drive in Kinston. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. New kitchen with custom cabinets and new appliances. This house has a tremendous unfinished upstairs with full staircase. It also has a large laundry room/ pantry. It is for lease at $1,100 per month or for sale at $139,900. We would be willing to do some owner financing.

Just beginning

2010-02-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

Hey, i thought this would be a great way to keep folks updated on the Commercial Real Estate market in Eastern North Carolina and other things that are of interest to me.