Governor Josh Stein announced a significant job creation initiative in Catawba County, North Carolina, with Prysmian, a leader in energy and digital connection solutions, set to add 385 new jobs. The company plans to invest over $1 billion to expand its fiber and glass manufacturing operations in the region. This move is part of Prysmian’s broader strategy to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and cater to rising demands for advanced digital solutions. The expansion will involve the development of a new glass production facility and upgrades to existing structures to double fiber optic manufacturing capacity.
Prysmian North America, which has a substantial presence with more than 50 locations and 9,000 employees across the continent, will expand its Claremont site by 975,000 square feet. The average salary for the new jobs is projected to be $60,870, surpassing the county’s current average. This could result in a payroll impact exceeding $23.4 million annually for the region. A performance-based grant of $1 million from the One North Carolina Fund will aid the expansion, contingent on Prysmian meeting specific job creation and investment targets.
Governor Stein highlighted the investment as evidence of North Carolina’s leadership in innovation and job creation. Andrea Pirondini, Prysmian North America CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the U.S. demand for digital solutions. State officials, including N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley and N.C. Senator Mark Hollo, praised the initiative, noting the region’s ability to attract such significant investment due to its skilled workforce and supportive infrastructure.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce, along with several local and state partners, played a pivotal role in facilitating this project. Key collaborators include the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Catawba Valley Community College, Duke Energy, and the City of Claremont, among others. These partnerships underscore a collective effort to bolster Catawba County’s economic landscape and strengthen North Carolina’s position in the global economy.
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