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Bonita Pioneer Expands East to Rutherford County

Forest City, NC - On March 4, 2014 Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced that Bonita Manufacturing Products, Inc., doing business as Bonita Pioneer, will locate a new east coast manufacturing operation in Rutherford County. The company plans to create 50 jobs and invest $2.8 million over the next three years. Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wage for the new jobs will be $32,020. The Rutherford County average annual wage is $31,347.

Rutherford County Commission Chairman Bill Eckler said, "We are so excited that Bonita Pioneer has selected Rutherford County for their east coast manufacturing operation. We want to thank Bonita Pioneer for their investment in Rutherford County and their confidence in our citizens whom they will employ. Rutherford County is very pro business and we look forward to Bonita Pioneer growing and thriving in Rutherford County. We welcome this great addition and all other companies that are looking for a great place to locate or expand. The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners looks forward to working with the company to build a lifelong partnership".

This project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $75,000. The grant is contingent upon proof of job creation, capital investment and receipt of a local funding match. The Rutherford County Board of Commissioners has authorized the County Manager to negotiate a local incentive agreement in an amount not to exceed $75,000 to provide the local match for the One North Carolina Fund grant. In addition, Rutherford County has submitted a grant request to the NC Department of Commerce Building Reuse and Restoration Program for additional support of this project.

“On behalf of the Rutherford County Economic Development Commission I want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Bonita Pioneer for choosing to locate their operations in Rutherford County,” said Terry Hines, Chairman of the Economic Development Commission. “I also want to thank Governor Pat McCrory, Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and the NC Department of Commerce, the NC Community Colleges, Isothermal Community College, the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners, County Manager Carl Classen and the Rutherford County Economic Development staff for all of their efforts in working with the company on this project.”

The mission of Rutherford County Economic Development is to retain and recruit new jobs and investment to the county for both industrial and commercial development. Rutherford County has a population of 67,810 and is centrally located between Charlotte, NC, Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC. With a strong infrastructure system including roads, water, sewer and fiber, the county is well positioned for growth as the economy continues to improve.

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