South Raleigh News

Governor Josh Stein announced that Gillespie Precast will set up a new manufacturing facility in Randolph County, creating 39 jobs. The company, known for producing custom precast concrete, is investing $10 million in Asheboro.

"North Carolina offers manufacturing companies like Gillespie Precast an outstanding place to do business," stated Governor Stein. "We’re the number one manufacturing state in the Southeast thanks to our skilled, well-trained workforce."

Gillespie Precast, based in Chestertown, Maryland, is a fifth-generation family-owned business. It produces a variety of concrete products, including utility vaults and custom concrete structures. The company's new facility in Randolph County will produce wet and dry utility vaults, amongst other structures. This location will enhance their service to customers across the northeast, mid-Atlantic, and southern markets in North America.

Frank Sisk, the Director of Business Development for Gillespie Precast, noted, "The executive team targeted several sites both in Virginia and North Carolina for possible expansion. The search led us to Asheboro, and once we walked the property, we knew this was going to be the place we would establish our southern base of operations."

Sisk also highlighted the company's commitment to quality and service, adding, "The Gillespie family has been successful for over a century by providing quality products to the markets we serve. But it has been the exceptional service we provide our contractor partners that sets us apart from the competition. We believe that North Carolina and Randolph County, in particular, share the same foundational principles of family, quality, and service to our communities as Gillespie Precast and we look forward to being a generational benefit to the state."

North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley remarked, "Manufacturers like Gillespie Precast create durable, family-sustaining jobs in communities large and small. With our infrastructure, workforce, and state and local partnerships, manufacturers can find the right place to invest and create jobs in North Carolina."

The new positions will have an average salary of $64,154, compared to Randolph County's current average wage of $49,355.

To support the development, Gillespie Precast NC LLC will receive a $120,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund. This fund assists local governments in attracting economic investments and creating jobs, with no upfront payment, requiring companies to achieve certain milestones to qualify for grant money.

N.C. Representative Neal Jackson expressed his support, saying, "We enthusiastically welcome Gillespie Precast to Asheboro and Randolph County, we believe this company will experience remarkable success in our community. These employment opportunities and private-sector investment will further invigorate our region's economy."

N.C. Senator David Craven, Jr. acknowledged the collaborative effort involved in this economic development project, stating, "Successful economic development projects take sustained and focused effort from a wide variety of state, regional, and local partners. I appreciate the hard work from the great folks that helped us reach today’s great announcement from Gillespie Precast, and we will continue to support the company as they establish operations in Randolph County."

The project was supported by partnerships with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and several other local and state organizations.