Wesley Brown and Joel Gerber April 22 , 2010 A $5.3 million incentive package featuring perks from both local and state agencies lured a national cabinet manufacturer to choose its Kinston plant as the supporter of a new product line and recipient of more than 300 jobs. Officials from MasterBrand Cabinets joined a representative from the governor’s office Thursday to announce 334 new jobs with an annual average salary of $25,000 will be coming to Lenoir County over the next three years. Gov. Bev Perdue, originally scheduled to be on hand to make the announcement, was unable to attend because…
Business
The Free Press Subsidiary to expand private business jet operations January 21, 2010 Delta AirElite, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, announced the purchase of Kinston-based Segrave Aviation late Wednesday afternoon. The all-cash transaction will double the size of the Delta AirElite fleet. A press release did not reveal what Delta paid for Segrave. The company hopes to improve Web-based booking and the travel experience for fleet membership card and charter customers. The transaction is subject to approval by regulatory authorities and customary closing conditions. “This is an excellent opportunity to couple Delta AirElite’s award-winning product and scheduling flexibility…
Chris Lavender January 12, 2010 A new agreement between DuPont Sorona and Toyota will ensure that renewable sourced fibers produced in Kinston will be used to outfit automobiles overseas. DuPont officials announced Tuesday that fibers made from DuPont Sorona will be used for the ceiling surface skin, sun visor and pillar garnish of Toyota’s new model SAI. The fibers will also be used in the materials to make floor mats sold under the Toyota brand. The SAI was launched at Japan dealerships last month. The new car will be on sale through dealerships in Japan, but not in the United…
July 23, 2009 David Anderson Kinston Free Press Sanderson Farms officials announced Thursday they have ended a 13-month construction delay for a new poultry processing plant in Kinston. Pic Billingsley, Sanderson Farms Director of Development and Engineering, said that Sanderson Farms’ Board of Directors have decided to move forward with the Kinston facility plans. Billingsley said production at the Kinston processing site will begin January 2011 but much work has to be done before the anticipated start date. Officials plan to award contract bids for the hatchery and feed mill construction next week. Sanderson Farms will break ground for…
Company will produce up to 535 new dishwashers per day May 14, 2009 Chris Lavender Staff Writer Electrolux will invest $55 million during the next five years in its Lenoir County plant. Lenoir County Economic Development director Mark Pope announced Thursday the Electrolux site in Lenoir County will soon manufacture a low-end dishwasher product line in the coming weeks. “It’s good news today,” Pope said. “This investment could have gone to another site in China or Mexico. We were able to keep this in Lenoir County.” The company will invest $55 million in its 500,000 square-foot local facility to get ready…
February 20, 2009 David Anderson A Kinston manufacturer that has been expanding since it arrived in town more than five years ago will continue to grow despite an ongoing recession. “I tell my (employees), ‘What you see on television and in the media, that has nothing to do with us,’ ” Best Diamond Packaging LLC co-founder and President Kevin Thorne said Friday. Thorne spoke before a packed house at Select Foodservice; the room was filled with local civic, political and business leaders who turned out to hear the economic development announcement and a speech from U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C.,…
February 10, 2009 Kinston and Lenoir County’s government, educational and business leaders attended a ribbon cutting and dedication for Select Food Service Tuesday afternoon. The new business will employ 52 people full time and invest $2.4 million in Kinston- Lenoir County.
David Anderson staff writer 12/15/08 2010 is shaping up to be a banner year for Kinston; Spirit AeroSystems plans to begin production of aircraft components that year, and 123 new Dopaco workers are expected to be hired, trained and ready to go at the same time. State and county officials announced Monday that Dopaco Inc., a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of paper packaging for fast-food restaurants, will hire 123 new workers for its Kinston plant. “To be here before you with times as they are is really a blessing,” Lenoir County Economic Development Director Mark Pope told spectators gathered for the announcement…
November 18, 2008 Bryan C. Hanks Content Editor Lenoir County Economic Development department’s Cindy Johnson and Nita Lee unveil the rendering of the Shell Building Number 3 on Tuesday during the groundbreaking ceremony on Enterprise Boulevard. Cold temperatures, a bitterly frigid wind and sporadic snow flurries couldn’t keep Kinston’s movers and shakers from moving and shaking some dirt Tuesday afternoon. About three dozen of Kinston and Lenoir County’s government, educational and business leaders met at the intersection of Enterprise Boulevard and Smithfield Way for the groundbreaking ceremony of a “shell” building in the county. The 40,000-square foot structure will…
Raleigh 6/20/08 Gov. Mike Easley announced today that Reliance Industries USA Inc. plans to open its first North American manufacturing facility near Kinston. The company will create 204 jobs during the next five years and invest $215 million in a plant to manufacture a resin used in the production of plastic containers and specialty polyester yarns. A N.C. Job Development Investment Grant helped make the project possible. “Today’s announcement is just one more signal that eastern North Carolina is ripe for growth and open for business,” said Easley. “We are turning the corner and now is the time to be…