GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 72 JOBS IN FORSYTH COUNTY
One North Carolina Fund Grant Helps Ken Garner Manufacturing Locate Near Rural Hall
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley announced today that Ken Garner Manufacturing Inc. will invest $2.88 million and create 72 jobs during the next three years in Forsyth County. The announcement was made possible in part by a $25,000 One North Carolina Fund grant. The facility will be located near Rural Hall.
“Ken Garner Manufacturing joins a long list of companies that are taking advantage of North Carolina’s well-trained manufacturing workforce,” Easley said. “North Carolina has an extensive manufacturing history, so it is not surprising that our state continues to be a leader in this sector in the 21st century with advanced, cutting-edge technology.”
Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Ken Garner Manufacturing Inc. is North America’s leading supplier of counterweights for medium sized hydraulic excavators and mobile cranes. The company attributes its success, growth and current need for expansion to its outstanding workforce. Company owner Ken Garner said his company “considers a skilled and highly motivated workforce to be absolutely essential to the success of this expansion” and was one reason the company chose Forsyth County and North Carolina.
“North Carolina was on KGMI’s short list of expansion locations first of all because of market proximity and a desire to shorten the supply lines to existing and potential customers in the state,” Garner said. “Further investigation found the labor market favorable and help to be available – and offered – for the specific training which would be needed.”
Individual wages for the 72 new jobs will vary by job title and responsibilities, but the overall annual average is expected to be about $37,200 not including benefits, which is more than the Forsyth County wage standard of $33,540.
The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants require and are contingent upon a local match. Through the use of this Fund, more than 28,000 jobs and $4 billion in investment have been created since 2001.
“We are very pleased to see Ken Garner Manufacturing come to Forsyth County,” said state Sen. Linda Garrou (D-Forsyth). “As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I will continue to support programs that help us attract good jobs for our citizens.”
“This announcement is the result of excellent cooperation between local and state agencies,” said Rep. Larry Womble (D-Forsyth), a vice chair of the House Finance Committee. “It’s an example of what we can accomplish when we all work together. We need to try to create more of these opportunities.”
“North Carolina’s outstanding workforce continues to help attract great companies,” said state Sen. Peter Brunstetter (R-Forsyth). “We need to continue providing opportunities for education that will help students get good jobs.”
Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include the N.C. Department of Commerce, the N.C. Department of Transportation, Forsyth County, Winston-Salem Business Inc. and Duke Energy.
For more information about employment opportunities with KGMI, contact the Winston-Salem JobLink Career Center and Employment Security Commission at 336-761-1700.
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