MARSTON — Around 50 new manufacturing jobs are coming to Richmond County, state and local leaders announced Thursday.
Graceland Portable Buildings, headquartered in Kentucky, will be operating a 100,000 square-foot facility at the site of the former Woodgrain Distribution property on U.S. 1 between Hoffman and the race tracks, according to Economic Developer Martie Butler.
“We are glad to see more jobs and investments being made in Richmond County,” Cooper said in a statement. “Through prior work with North Carolina contractors, Graceland Portable Buildings is confident in establishing its own manufacturing facility because of our skilled workforce, our robust transportation infrastructure, and the affordability of doing business in our state.”
Graceland is “a manufacturer, distributor, and installer of portable buildings and outdoor storage sheds for various applications,” according to a press release from the office of Gov. Roy Cooper and the N.C. Department of Commerce, which added that the “high-quality designs” from Graceland can be certified for housing.
“The Marston plant will be a showcase of state-of-the-art technology and advanced manufacturing processes,” said Michael Derkacy, COO who will oversee the project. “This expansion reflects our commitment to innovation and sets the new standard in the portable building industry.”
Graceland CEO Greg French said the company is “thrilled” to expand its operations into the Tar Heel State.
“This investment not only represents our commitment to growth and innovation but also underscores our dedication to creating high-quality products and providing meaningful job opportunities in the community,” French said. “We are excited to be a part of North Carolina’s economic landscape and look forward to contributing to its vibrant future.”
The release states that the company will invest $7.4 million into the project and hire 51 employees. The average wage is said to be $43,335 per year, slightly higher than the county’s average and “create an annual payroll impact of more than $2.2 million for the region.”
“North Carolina continues to attract advanced manufacturers across all industries to every corner of the state,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders, who was in Richmond County for the quarterly meeting of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “With the largest manufacturing workforce in the southeastern United States, North Carolina is committed to further developing the diverse labor pool that growing companies need as they expand and meet product demand.”
The project was awarded a One NC Fund performance-based grant of $150,000.
According to the release: “The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.”
The county’s representatives in the General Assembly also weighed in on the announcement.
“We appreciate the diligence of everyone that helped recruit this company to our community,” Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, said in a statement. “We are excited to see them transform the vacant space into a vibrant production facility that will invite other businesses to our corporate community.”
Sen. Dave Craven, R-Randolph, whose district includes Richmond County said the announcement was “great news” for the county and rural North Carolina.
“The addition of these new jobs and investments will improve the prosperity of our local economy and the livelihood of our residents,” Craven said.
Jeff Smart, chairman of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners welcomed Graceland to the county, thanking the company for its investment.
“We look forward to becoming an integral part of their future as they continue to grow,” Smart said.
On Tuesday, commissioners approved the application for a Rural Building Reuse Grant from the Commerce Department.
However, at the time, Butler could not reveal many details of the project — including the company’s name. It was referred to simply as “Project Rising Sun.”
According to NC Commerce, the grant amount will not exceed half the the construction or renovation cost. If the grant is approved, the county is required to invest 5% of the grant amount toward the project.
When Commissioner Andy Grooms asked about the county’s investment, Butler said the grant amount would not exceed $500,000.
Butler added that the county will typically cover the costs of the professional services of the grant administration, hiring a professional to make sure everything is correct — which can run $5,000-$10,000.
Graceland will also have to perform the upfits up front, Butler said, and the Commerce Department will reimburse the grant amount after receipts and an inspection of the facility.
Grants are awarded six times per year by the Rural Infrastructure Authority. Butler said that board is set to meet again in October.
Direct Pack was awarded a building reuse grant in 2021.
“The grants definitely made a difference,” Butler told the RO on Thursday, saying that if not for the incentives, the project would have gone to Virginia — which recently broke North Carolina’s two-year streak as CNBC’s best state for business.
Butler told the RO that renovations are expected to start in the fourth quarter of this year and hiring should start in the first quarter of 2025.
She added that EDPNC has been instrumental in helping to land the project.
“We’re overjoyed that new life is being breathed into the property and will provide a much more appealing entrance to Richmond County,” County Manager Bryan Land said in a statement.
