ROCKINGHAM — One local manufacturer is opening its second location in Richmond County.
Impact Plastics is the new tenant of the Richmond Economic Development Corporation’s fifth shell building in Rockingham West Industrial Park.
The certificate of occupancy was issued last week, according to Economic Developer Martie Butler, sent out a press release on the announcement May 5.
According to the release, Impact signed a lease with option to purchase soon after construction began.
The Connecticut-based company — which specializes in high-efficiency, tight-tolerance, thin-gauge extruded sheet and roll stock… with an offering of thermoplastic resin materials that are highly customizable and suitable for a variety of end-use applications — has called Richmond County home since 2005, when it opened a plant on County Home Road north of Hamlet.
“The County listened to and evaluated Impact’s needs, said Loren Temple, operations manager. “In doing so, the build was tweaked to meet current demands while considering the future.”
Temple added that the county’s commitment to Impact is “both valued and welcomed.”
“Impact Plastics’ goal is expansion, more production meeting our customer’s current and future requirements, he continued. “The addition of the shell building provides Impact flexibility within our processes. The building offers Impact space to bring new technologies and materials in setting forth on a path for success.”
Butler said this is part of the five-year, $13 million expansion announced last April (2019) in which the company plans to add 30 new jobs paying an average of $75,000 per year.
The 40,000 square-foot building also includes an additional 40,000 square feet of graded space should the company wish to expand in the future, according to a press release.
The shell building was funded by a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (loan) and a $1 million Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant through Pee Dee Electric Member Cooperative.
“One of the seven cooperative principles is concern for the community, said Cathy Page, vice president of Member Services for PDE. “We want our communities to grow and thrive, so by utilizing the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant programs, we can be a part of this success. The collaboration and cooperation we share with Richmond County has been great over the years.”
According to the release, Richmond’s shell building program is one of the most successful in the state.
Four other companies currently occupy previous shell buildings in the industrial park: General Glass, CAI Ink, Viking Pools and Piedmont Natural Gas.
“We are extremely proud of our shell building program,” said Kenneth Robinette, chairman of the Richmond County Board of Commissioners. “As one of the friendliest areas in the state for attracting new businesses, the completion and occupation of our fifth shell building further demonstrates Richmond County’s dedication to attracting industry to our community.”
