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RALEIGH, N.C., MAY 9, 2025 – PPG (NYSE: PPG), an American Fortune 500 company and global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, is investing $380 million in the city of Shelby, a city of about 22,000 located about 50 miles west of Charlotte. According to the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership, PPG is buying a 108,500-square-foot industrial building from the county.
“We have a familiarity with the overall community,” Sam Millikin, PPG’s global vice president for aerospace, said when discussing what stood out about Shelby. “We did an extensive study looking at a number of different locations all around the U.S. and within the Southeast. Clearly, what we found with Shelby relative to the overall community and what the workforce potential is … it was really a no-brainer for us to move forward with this location.”
Additional construction is expected to begin in October when the facility will make coatings and sealants for PPG’s aerospace business. The new jobs will come with average annual wages of $66,861, which is well above the Cleveland County average of $48,310.
“This project came to us from a lead generated by the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC),” said Brandon Ruppe, Economic Developer for the city of Shelby. “Although we didn’t know the company’s identity, we knew the lead was sent to sites statewide. So, we worked with EDPNC and the NC Department of Commerce throughout 2024 to provide comprehensive information for consideration.”
Factors driving site selection
When selecting a site for economic development, businesses must evaluate multiple factors to meet their needs. Considerations include energy costs and infrastructure, corporate tax rate, and quality of life. Consistently at the top of the list is talent and workforce availability.
“North Carolina’s workforce continues to be ranked one of the best in the nation, said Christopher Chung, CEO of EDPNC. “The collaboration between technical training, academia, and industry runs deep in our state. Cleveland Community College is one of the many community colleges in our educational system offering students and workers access resources to upskill or earn new credentials.”
EDPNC worked with a broad team of partners, state policymakers, and local government officials, to build the business climate that attracts companies such as PPG. These include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the Commerce Department’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Cleveland Community College, Cleveland County, the City of Shelby, and the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership.
Ruppe believes Shelby and Cleveland County may have had a competitive advantage in the evaluation process because of the previous relationship with PPG.
Shelby to PPG: “Welcome Home”
“PPG is a name held in high regard in our area, and we’re all excited to open the next chapter of this partnership for our region and for our state,” said Representative Kelly Hastings. “We welcome these new jobs and investment to our region, and I am especially proud that my mom is a PPG retiree.”
The project represents a return to Shelby for PPG. When the company sold its Shelby plant to Nippon Electric Glass in 2017, there were around 490 employees working at the facility. Nippon Electric Glass still has operations in city.
“You do not have to look very far in this community to find somebody that has been positively impacted by PPG,” said Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony at the announcement made on May 8, 2025 at the site location. “We anticipate that this project will be received with much local praise and be viewed as a ‘Welcome Home.’”
About Cleveland County
A gateway between Asheville and Charlotte, Cleveland County is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the state. Explore reports and data, see latest news updates, and learn about the companies shaping Cleveland County’s growing economy to help inform your next location decision by visiting the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership’s Resource Center at www.chooseclevelandcountync.com.
About PPG
PPG is an American Fortune 500 company headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA. A global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials, the company operates in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $15.8 billion in 2024. PPG’s aerospace portfolio includes advanced coatings, sealants, transparencies, packaging, chemical services, engineered materials, and specialty products designed to enhance the performance, durability, and safety of aircraft. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com.
About the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) is a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina’s statewide economic development organization. Governed by an 18-member board of business and industry leaders from across the state, the EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, tourism and film marketing. The EDPNC, which operates under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, works closely with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels. To learn more, visit www.edpnc.com
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