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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 4/11/13
Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Trinity Frozen Foods, a frozen food manufacturing company, will locate its operations in Robeson County. The company plans to create 149 jobs and invest more than $15 million over the next three years in Pembroke.
“North Carolina is proud of its strong roots in agriculture,” said Governor Pat McCrory. “It makes great business sense for Trinity to locate near a majority of the growers in the state and the entire Southeast. We’re excited to welcome the company here and strengthen our agribusiness economy.”
Trinity Frozen Foods, with management offices in Charlotte, will construct a sweet potato processing facility in Pembroke and has initial plans to produce 12-15 million pounds of sweet potato fries annually. The company plans to expand eventually to produce 50 million pounds of sweet potato fries each year. North Carolina is the nation’s leading grower of sweet potatoes.
“North Carolina has always been a leader in agriculture and food production,” said Sharon Decker, N.C. Secretary of Commerce. “Trinity Frozen Foods’ decision to locate in Robeson County will provide additional business for our sweet potato growers as demand for their crop increases.”
Salaries will vary by job function, but total payroll is estimated to be more than $34.8 million, plus benefits.
“This will be the most modern and technological facility of its type in the world,” said Jere Null, CEO of Trinity Frozen Foods. “We are excited to be locating it here in North Carolina amongst the largest, most abundant source of sweet potatoes in the country.”
The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $500,000. The grant is contingent upon proof of job creation and receipt of a local funding match. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.
“I appreciate the hard work of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Rural Center, the Golden Leaf Foundation and Governor McCrory in bringing Trinity Foods to Pembroke,” said Sen. Michael Walters. “This is an excellent opportunity for Robeson County.”
“I’m very pleased and excited about the job opportunities for Pembroke and Robeson County. We are pleased that Trinity Foods has selected this area of the state for production,” said Rep. Charles Graham. “I’m confident the company has made a good choice. Robeson County can provide a productive work force.”
Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Robeson County, Robeson County Economic Development Commission, Robeson County Committee of 100, North Carolina’s Southeast, N.C. Rural Economic Development Center and the Golden LEAF Foundation.
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