Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron
Date: May 17, 2007 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 120 JOBS IN BEAUFORT COUNTY
One North Carolina Fund Grant Helps Impressions Marketing Group Grow in Washington, N.C.
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced Impressions Marketing Group will expand its manufacturing facility in Beaufort County, creating 120 jobs and investing $3.25 million during the next three years. The announcement was made possible in part by a $240,000 One North Carolina Fund grant.
“While Impressions Marketing Group had many options for its expansion, the company chose North Carolina,” Easley said. “This is another example of how our focus on education and workforce training pay off in more jobs and growth for North Carolina.”
Headquartered in Lorton, Va., Impressions Marketing Group is a national supplier of retail store fixtures, décor and display graphics. The company currently employs more than 160 people at its facility in Washington. It will renovate and expand that facility. While wages will vary by job function, the average weekly wage of the new jobs will be $611 not including benefits, more than 7 percent greater than the county average weekly wage of $571 not including benefits.
“Since opening our manufacturing facility in Washington in 2001 we have grown from an initial employee base of 25 to our current level of over 160 employees,” said Rick Gerber, founder and president of Impressions Marketing Group. “The support we have received from both local and state agencies has been an integral part of our success. This support, when combined with the loyal and dedicated employees we have found in Beaufort County, made the decision to renovate our Washington facility and expand our North Carolina operations and employee base a relatively easy one.”
The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. One North Carolina Fund grants require and are contingent upon a local match. Through the use of this Fund, more than 25,000 jobs and $3.5 billion in investment have been created since 2001.
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