AmeriQual Aseptic, a food processing company, will create 76 jobs as it expands its operations in Montgomery County. The company will invest $23.8 million in expanding its current facility, located in Troy.
Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but the average annual wage will be $42,561. The average annual wage in Montgomery County is $35,919.
“Today’s announcement is the latest example of a manufacturer finding success doing business in North Carolina and expanding their footprint here,” Gov. Roy Cooper said. “For companies like AmeriQual, our strong economy and top-flight workforce make the decision simple.”
AmeriQual Aseptic is a high-quality food manufacturer that develops, processes, produces, packages and distributes shelf-stable foods. AmeriQual Aseptic will manufacture high-quality protein beverages using practices that prevent contamination. Their current operations in North Carolina include Carolina Dairy, which manufactures yogurt-based products in Biscoe, and Wright Foods, an aseptic food processor in Troy.
“We are very excited about the new operation in Troy,” said Jon Geisler, executive vice chairman of AmeriQual Group Holdings, LLC. “Our mission is to be the leading producer of high-quality shelf stable products in the United States. This new facility gives us critical capacity to serve the rapidly expanding aseptic beverage segment.”
“North Carolina is the second largest state for food processing,” said Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. “With a great supply chain and excellent, low-cost business environment, AmeriQual Aseptic made a great decision to expand in Montgomery County.”
The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina(EDPNC) were instrumental in supporting the company’s decision to expand to the state.
A performance-based grant of $500,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate AmeriQual Aseptic’s new operation in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs.
Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.
In addition to North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Montgomery Community College, Montgomery County and Montgomery County’s Economic Development Office.