Newsletter
Rutherford County Is Awarded Three Building Reuse Grants
On June 21, 2019, Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Tony Copeland announced that Rutherford County was awarded three Building Reuse Grants totaling close to $1,000,000 in support of Affinity Living Group, Cardinal Tissue LLC and SSD Designs, LLC. This is the first time in the history of Rutherford County Economic Development that three separate companies have been awarded grants in one funding cycle. These operations are a great fit for Rutherford County providing further diversification of the manufacturing base in the county, which is vitally important for long-term economic growth. These companies have committed to create more than 85 new full-time jobs and invest more than $19,775,000 over the next three years. Salaries will vary but the average annual wage for all jobs will exceed the Rutherford County average annual wage is $34,115.
Affinity Living Group plans to construct a 62 bed assisted living facility serving the residents of Rutherford County. The new assisted living facility will be housed in a 27,900 sq. ft. building to be constructed on a company owned site located in the Lake Lure, NC vicinity. Affinity Living Group is the seventh largest provider of assisted living in the United States, the fourth largest provider of Alzheimer's and memory care, and the largest senior housing provider in the southeastern US. The company will create more than 27 new full-time jobs paying on average $34,285 and will invest more than $10.9 million.
Cardinal Tissue, LLC is a tier one provider to the tissue industry located in a leased 127,312 sq. ft. building in Spindale, NC. The company provides contract manufacturing for all retail product lines including bath, towel, napkin and facial products for both branded and private label. It is also able to accommodate third party logistic services, process optimization and project support to customers. Cardinal plans to create 40 new full-time jobs paying on average $50,000 and will invest more than $8.5 million.
SSD Designs, LLC, which is located in a 66,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Forest City, NC, will operate a recycling facility that recycles various plastic materials. Materials that would otherwise go to a landfill will be modified for reuse by the original company or be purchased by other companies. The company has committed to create 18 new full-time jobs paying on average $53,162 and will invest more than $375,000.
Rutherford County Economic Development’s mission is to bring quality jobs to the county and we would like to thank each one of these companies for choosing to locate, invest and create jobs here.
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, Rutherford County is well positioned for continued growth.