Editorial - June 2003

The good news from LeeBoy

Published June 2, 2003

Lincoln County continues to get positive economic news during an era of financial gloom and doom.

While the rest of North Carolina and a lot of the nation is reporting job cutbacks and industry shutdowns, Lincoln officials were gloating over an announcement from LeeBoy, the world’s leading manufacturer of asphalt paving equipment, that it planned to relocated a manufacturing division in South Dakota to Denver.

The move will bring 60 new jobs to Lincoln County and an investment that could exceed $1 million, according to officials with the Lincoln County Economic Development Authority.

Credit the continuing efforts of the Lincoln County Economic Development Authority and a supportive state structure for this refreshing development in Lincoln County. When the company was in the initial stages of determining whether or not to relocate, they first turned to LEDA for assistance. LEDA brought in the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), Gaston College and the local Employment Security Commission (ESC) to aid in helping LeeBoy make the decision to relocate the Rosco division to Lincoln County.

Customized workforce development training, which will be funded through NCCCS and administered through Gaston College, will assist LeeBoy during their transition.

The economy has been struggling for a couple of years, and certainly Lincoln County has felt the impact. Earlier this year, Delta Mills in Maiden announce it would close is doors, ending jobs for more than 100. But it seems that every few months we get a dose of good news. This past November Cataler North America, owned by Toyota Motor Co., opened a $60 million plant at the Lincoln County Industrial Park. That was the largest initial investment in a manufacturing facility in Lincoln County history. The company, which makes automotive catalysts, currently employs around 60 people.

Around the same time, RSI Home Products Inc. announced an investment of $3.5 million to expand its assembly and distribution facility at the industrial park. RSI, which manufactures vanities, culture marble counter tops and medicine cabinets, will add 100,000 square feet. The expansion will crate 30 or more jobs.

These announcements say a lot about the business and industrial climate, and also the quality of life offered in Lincoln County. Let’s hope they keep coming.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions