Canada-based Cascades Holdings U.S., Inc. is investing $58 million in modernizing and expanding its operations in Wagram, North Carolina, a project that will create 66 new jobs in Scotland County over the next two years.
“International manufacturers like Cascades are thriving in North Carolina,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Our state’s global reputation attracts new investments and jobs because companies know North Carolina’s skilled industrial workers will help them succeed here.”
Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative and value-added packaging, hygiene and recovery solutions. The company employs 11,000 people across a network of over 90 facilities in North America and Europe. Its headquarters are located in Kingsey Falls, Canada. The company’s tissue group division, the fifth-largest tissue producer in North America, manufacturers, converts and markets a wide variety of paper products, such as hand towels, bathroom and facial tissue and napkins. Cascades also has facilities in Richmond and Lenoir counties in North Carolina.
“Modernizing and adding equipment to the Wagram plant will help improve Cascades’ product offering by allowing us to provide superior quality products, benefit from the latest technology to provide our customers with new, innovative products and create additional capacity to meet future needs of our customers,” said Jean Jobin, Cascades Tissue Group president and chief operating officer. “It is a strategic investment that will solidify our presence in the Southeastern United States and strengthen our ability to offer nationwide coverage for our customers.”
“North Carolina continues to win the confidence of manufacturers,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Anthony M. Copeland. “It’s particularly gratifying to see a company that’s already here choose to expand, based on our business environment and their own positive experience of doing business in North Carolina.”
The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) led the state’s support for the company’s expansion.
Cascades will add a variety of positions with this expansion, including production operators, maintenance, and logistics personnel. Total payroll impact for the new jobs will top $3.1 million annually.
Cascades’ expansion in Scotland County will be supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG). Over the six-year term of this grant, the project will grow the state’s economy by an estimated $143 million. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $468,000, spread over six years. State payments only occur after the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.
Partnering with state Commerce and the EDPNC on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Scotland County, and the Scotland County Economic Development Corporation.