Reliance Industries USA will open a manufacturing plant near Kinston, creating 204 jobs over the next five years.
The plant will be used to make resins for use in plastic containers and polyester yarns.
North Carolina helped land the plant through a Job Development Investment Grant that will be worth more than $2 million over nine years if the company meets its commitment for new jobs.
Reliance will invest $215 million in the facility, which will be based at a building once operated by Unifi.
“Today’s announcement is just one more signal that eastern North Carolina is ripe for growth and open for business,” Gov. Mike Easley said in announcing the decision. “We are turning the corner, and now is the time to be even more aggressive.”
The jobs will pay an average wage of $46,500 plus benefits. The average wage in Lenoir County is $27,040.
“Reliance chose Lenoir County over other locations because of the availability of an existing, adaptable facility, the area’s long history in the polyester industry, the available skilled work force and training capabilities, proximity to customers, and state and local incentives which will help offset the high cost of establishing a major manufacturing facility,” said company President Thakur Sharma.
Reliance’s parent firm is based in India.
