Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Seth Effron
Date: December 1 1, 2007 Phone:
919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES JANESVILLE ACOUSTICS EXPANDS IN McDOWELL COUNTY
One North Carolina Fund Grant Helps Bring 29 Jobs to Old Fort
RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Janesville Acoustics Inc., an international manufacturer
of fiber insulation for automobiles, will expand its facility in McDowell County. The expansion, which will
create 29 jobs and a company investment of $250,000, was made possible in part by a $35,000 One North
Carolina Fund grant.
“North Carolina is the world’s largest producer of non-woven textiles, including those made by Janesville
Acoustics,” said Easley. “This industry can take advantage of our skilled manufacturing workforce as well as
the cutting-edge technology and support coming from our universities, such as N.C. State University’s College
of Textiles.”
Janesville Acoustics, based in Southfield, Mich., produces non-woven fiber for use in areas such as hood and
dashboard insulation, and underlayment for carpet. The company is one of the world’s largest makers of
acoustical and thermal products for the transportation industry and currently operates manufacturing plants in
Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. The plant in Old Fort currently employs 96 full¬
time workers. Pay for the 29 new jobs will vary by job function, but the overall average annual wage will be
slightly more than $36,000 not including benefits. That is more than the McDowell County annual average of
$27,924 without benefits.
Plant manager Jonathan Berghammer said several factors led the company to choose North Carolina for the
expansion. “The McDowell County economic development team along with the excellent workforce in the area
were big parts of the decision to expand at this facility.”
“Local and state governments and businesses worked together to help make this expansion possible,” said state
Sen. Joe Sam Queen (D-Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey). “I am proud of what we
are doing in the state Senate to enact policies that attract new industry to the state and help existing companies
like Janesville Acoustics grow and expand.”
The One North Carolina Fund assists the state in industry recruitment and expansion by providing financial
assistance 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 local matching funds. Through the use of this
fund, more than 28,000 jobs and $4 billion in investment have been created since 2001 .
Other partners who helped make this announcement possible include the N.C. Department of Commerce,
McDowell County, McDowell County Economic Development Agency, McDowell Technical Community
College and the Town of Old Fort. For more information about the company, visit
www.ianesvilleacoustics.com.
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Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
