RockTenn Will Invest $30 Million in NC

Gov. Bev Perdue, local officials and company executives announced that RockTenn will expand its operations in Marion, NC. According to the McDowell News, the project will create 124 new jobs with a $23 million investment over the next 18 months and a total investment of almost $30 million after five years.

Based in Norcross, Ga., RockTenn is a leading producer of corrugated and consumer packaging and recycling solutions for markets that include cosmetics, personal care, pharmaceuticals and food.

The company plans to move out of its current 110,000-square foot building at 33 Burgin Street and take over the former 300,000-square foot Swift Galey plant on U.S. 70 East with hopes to be up and running by the beginning of 2012.

RockTenn and its subsidiaries currently employ 233 workers in McDowell County and over 1,000 throughout North Carolina. Salaries for the new positions will vary by function, but the average annual wage will be $33,023 plus benefits. The McDowell County average annual wage is $29,224.

County Manager Chuck Abernathy, who is also McDowell’s economic development director, said he and other officials have worked on this project for two years.

RockTenn received a $372,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund and Chairman David Walker said he and the other commissioners matched the grant, dollar for dollar.

“We are extremely pleased to expand our operations in the Marion community,” said Jim Rubright, chairman and CEO of RockTenn in a prepared statement. “Our continued growth in North Carolina enables us to improve on our primary objective, which is to enhance customer satisfaction by providing value-added products and services at low cost.”

“Growing corporations need trained, educated workers, and they know they can find them in North Carolina because of our long history of investing in education and job training,” Perdue said in a prepared statement. “As governor of North Carolina, that is my No. 1 priority: jobs, jobs, jobs,” she said. “These 124 jobs are really important jobs to 124 families as well as the economy of North Carolina.”