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Automotive Trim Manufacturer to Bring 53 Jobs, New Manufacturing Facility to Rutherford County

State Grant Helps C.M.I Enterprises Locate in Rutherfordton

Office of the Governor
July 16, 2010
Contact:  Chris Mackey
Office: (919) 733-5612

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that C.M.I. Enterprises Inc., a national supplier of automotive soft-trim materials, will locate a new manufacturing facility in Rutherford County. The company plans to move its Florida manufacturing plant to Rutherfordton, creating 53 jobs and investing $697,000 including lease payments.  The project was made possible in part by a $33,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“Creating jobs now is my first priority and North Carolina continues to attract strong, growing manufacturing companies,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our skilled workers, custom training programs and top-rated business climate remain top draws for companies nationwide looking for the best location to succeed.”

C.M.I. Enterprises, headquartered in Miami, has two manufacturing plants in Miami and Indiana, and a distribution facility in California. The company makes interior soft-trim materials for the auto, bus, truck, RV and commercial markets. C.M.I. will open its first North Carolina operation in Rutherford County, where it will relocate its Miami manufacturing plant.

Salaries will vary by job function, but the annual average wage for the new jobs will be $22,528, not including benefits.  The Rutherford County average annual wage is $26,624.

“CMI is looking forward to becoming a valued member of the Rutherford County community,” said Michael Novick, CEO of C.M.I. Enterprises. “As we began searching for a location for our new southeastern facility, it became apparent that North Carolina, with its long textile heritage and Rutherford County in particular, was the clear choice for us to carry out our plans to expand domestic manufacturing and help bring jobs back to the U.S.”

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. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate.  Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.

Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001.  Other partners who helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Isothermal Community College, Rutherford County and Isothermal Planning and Development Commission.

For more information about C.M.I. Enterprises, including job opportunities with the company, go to:www.cmi-enterprises.com.
 
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Kennetha Smith
Office of the Governor
(919) 733-5612