WAGRAM — More jobs are coming to Scotland County and Gov. Roy Cooper joined Cascades in the announcement of the project on Tuesday morning.
Cooper, along with Cascades executives, spoke to county and city representatives and residents who were present, ensuring the growth in Scotland County.
“There’s a lot of good things that are happening in Scotland County — too often we find we spend too much time talking about the negatives,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Whit Gibson. “Industrial recruitment, industrial growth in our county has been good. In the 15 counties in the Southeastern partnership, there’s only one county that has either had a new plant or an expansion in each of the last seven years and Scotland County is that county.”
Gibson said that he was happy to have Cooper back in Scotland County under better circumstances than when he visited a few months ago in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.
“The main reason they made this selection, is because of you,” Cooper said. “They know the people of Southeastern North Carolina and Scotland County in particular. Cascades knows the quality of people who are here, they know about the good workforce, they know about the logistics of this area.”
Coming from a rural county himself Cooper spoke on the fact that he understood the challenges that are faced but he wants to make sure that what the communities have to offer is what is looked at. Ranging from the quality of life to the people in the rural counties.
“Southeastern North Carolina and other rural counties in North Carolina are a great spot to open and start a business and as we have today a great spot to expand a business,” Cooper said. “We’ve got to make sure we continue to invest in education in North Carolina all the way from early childhood and dealing with the whole child.”
Cooper also spoke on the workforce in the area and continuing to build a workforce who is ready to work and who have the skills that they need for jobs. He talked about how it is education that makes a good workforce.
The new addition to Cascades will bring in 66 new jobs with a $58 million investment to expand the company — as well as opening it up to around 50 local contractors to complete the work. Once the expansion and modernization are complete the Wagram location will be not only environmentally friendly but also be one of the best-performing assets of the company.
The expansions are set to begin in April 2019 and be completed sometime the following year.
“I want to make sure that Cascades knows and other businesses know that Southeastern North Carolina, in particular, Scotland County is open for business,” Cooper said. “These jobs are going to be an important callus in making sure that we continue the recovery (from Hurricane Florence).”
Cooper and everyone in attendance also got the change to tour around the facility and learn about what goes on. After the tour was completed Cooper set off to look at different sites in the county that suffered damage during Hurricane Florence, including Scotland High School, St. Andrews University and the city’s North Fire Station.
