AR Textiles To Open New Facility And Create 38 Jobs In Martin County | Eastern NC Now

    Raleigh, N.C. — Governor Pat McCrory, N.C. Commerce Secretary John E. Skvarla, III and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. announced today that AR Textiles Ltd. will be locating a new manufacturing facility in Martin County and plans to create 38 new jobs over the next three years. The company plans to invest $12 million in the town of Robersonville over the same period.

    "North Carolina's experience and leadership in the textile industry will serve AR Textiles very well," said Governor McCrory. "Leading manufacturers recognize that our state brings together all the right elements so they can achieve more."

    AR Textiles is part of Sunflag, a global group of companies with international operations ranging from yarns, fabrics, garment and household textiles utilizing the latest technology and machinery. The Sunflag group has diversified from its textile foundation into steel, power generation, healthcare, property and related services. The company will be producing cotton yarn at its Robersonville facility.

    "AR Textiles will be a great addition to one of North Carolina's traditional manufacturing industries," said Secretary Skvarla. "The company will not only buy N.C. cotton, but also make N.C. yarn. I expect to see this company grow its North Carolina operations with such a significant investment."

    Salaries will vary by job but will include operators, supervisors and quality control. The average annual payroll of the new jobs will be $1 million.

    "AR Textiles considered a number of alternative locations in the U.S. and internationally," said Rao Palaparty, Vice President of AR Textiles. "However, we were persuaded by the Martin County Economic Development Corporation and its county officials to locate the manufacturing facility in Martin County."

    The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $114,400. 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.

    The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority also awarded Martin County a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in the amount of $750,000 to support the reuse of a building in Robersonville. AR Textiles plans to locate its new operations in a building that has been vacant for more than three years.

    In addition to N.C. Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., other partners that helped with this project include the Rural Infrastructure Authority, North Carolina Community College System, Edgecombe Martin Electric Membership Corporation, Martin County Economic Development Corporation and Martin County.

• Contact: Crystal Feldman
•     govpress@nc.gov