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Governor Roy Cooper announced Mountaire Farms will launch a feed mill operation that will bring 65 jobs to Scotland County. The integrated poultry processing company plans to invest nearly $44 million at a site near Laurinburg over the next three years. “These new, good-paying jobs mean better opportunities for hard-working people and their communities in Scotland County,” said Governor Cooper. “Agriculture has a long and proud history in North Carolina and Mountaire Farms’ new state-of-the-art operations are a sign that the agriculture industry has a bright future here.” The company’s Scotland County operations will employ machine operators, maintenance specialists, drivers, and management personnel. Wages will vary by position, but the average compensation for the new positions will be $51,408 per year. Scotland County’s average annual wage is approximately $34,037. N.C. Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. were instrumental in the expansion project. Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland added, “Mountaire Farms is a prominent name in North Carolina food manufacturing and its latest expansion reinforces the state’s $5 billion poultry industry.” Founded in 1914, Mountaire Farms is a fully integrated producer of branded and private-label chicken for U.S. and international consumer markets. The Delaware-based company has production operations in four states. In North Carolina, Mountaire Farms employs nearly 2,700 people across seven locations. According to Paul Downes, Mountaire’s President and CEO, “We believe North Carolina is the ideal place for Mountaire Farms to grow. We are very encouraged by the support we have received from the State of North Carolina, Scotland County, Scotland Economic Development Corporation, Laurinburg Maxton Airport Commission, the local community, and others. This is a fantastic project and we look forward to getting started.” The Mountaire Farms Feed Mill project will also provide growth opportunities for local chicken producers and grain suppliers. Mountaire supports the poultry growing community and is a major purchaser of commodity grains including corn, soybeans, wheat, and barley. Mountaire Farms’ expansion in North Carolina was made possible in part by a performance-based grant of up to $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance in support of local governments in creating jobs and attracting economic investment. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for grant funds. All One NC grants require a local government match. “We welcome Mountaire Farms and the job opportunities it brings Scotland County,” said N.C. Senator Tom McInnis. “This significant investment will create noticeable economic benefits for the people of our community.” “Congratulations to Mountaire Farms on the success that is driving this new agribusiness facility,” said N.C. Representative Garland Pierce. “I commend all our economic development partners for their hard work in bringing these 65 new jobs to Scotland County.” In addition to North Carolina Commerce and EDPNC, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Community College System, the NC Railroad Company, Scotland County, the Laurinburg Maxton Airport Commission, the Scotland County Economic Development Corporation and North Carolina’s Southeast Regional Partnership. |