It’s been a busy week for the automotive sector in North Carolina.
On Monday, I had the honor of joining Gov. Perdue in Henderson County as she announced that brake systems and components manufacturer Continental Teves will expand its Fletcher plant. The company plans to invest more than $30 million and add 338 workers at the facility, which will more than double its current workforce of 288 people.
The company made it possible for first-shift workers to attend the event. Following the announcement, they had the opportunity to meet Gov. Perdue on the plant floor and shake her hand. It was a special experience for them – and us.
I also had the opportunity to visit again with plant manager Bobby Nelon and Henderson County Economic Development Partnership President Andrew Tate – both of whom I met in Germany last month when we visited with executives from Continental’s parent company to urge them to bring this expansion to Fletcher. Thanks to the team that made this announcement possible: Commerce, Henderson County, the Town of Fletcher, Blue Ridge Community College and the Henderson County Economic Development Partnership.
On Tuesday, Randolph Community College held a ribbon-cutting for the Richard Petty Education Center. The center will provide state-of-the-art training to students interested in joining North Carolina’s world-class automotive sector workforce. It was a thrill to be with “the King,” Richard Petty, and to celebrate this new facility. Our state is home to more than 160 companies in the motor vehicle parts industry, and they employ more than 17,000 North Carolinians. And, of course, as Richard Petty would remind us, the best racing and motor sports teams are right here.
So even though the recession is not over, there IS good economic news in North Carolina.
