Cherokee Tobacco Company to Create 39 New Jobs with $14M Investment in Caswell County

In a significant economic development for Caswell County, Governor Roy Cooper announced the arrival of Cherokee Tobacco Company's new manufacturing and distribution operation. The company expects to create 39 new jobs and invest upwards of $14 million. Cherokee Tobacco, a family-owned business with over two decades in the industry, will consolidate their operations with JEB International at a bespoke 65,000-square-foot facility in Pelham.

"Agriculture roots run deep in North Carolina as it remains our greatest economic driver," Governor Cooper said. Recognizing the skilled workforce and favorable business environment, he touted the state's readiness to support the expansion of Cherokee Tobacco. A performance-based grant of $125,000 from the One North Carolina Fund is set to assist Cherokee Tobacco Company, contingent on job creation and matching support from local governments.

Jay Barker, Owner & CEO of both Cherokee Tobacco Company and JEB International, expressed excitement about the move. "We are very excited to be coming to North Carolina and to be working closely with Caswell County and PCC," Barker stated on the Governor's website, foreseeing the merger as a means to increase efficiency and foster the companies' future. The new jobs are predicted to have a significant payroll impact on the region, potentially more than $2.5 million annually with wages surpassing the county's average.

Citing North Carolina's standing in the tobacco industry, N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders acknowledged that manufacturing and agribusiness in the state continue to attract companies emphasizing job creation and innovative products. "North Carolina leads the nation in tobacco production," she said on the Governor's website, a testament to the sector's ongoing importance and adaptability to new technologies, innovation is not to be understated.

The announcement has garnered appreciation from local representatives as well, with N.C. Representative Renée A. Price praising the collective effort in recruiting the family-owned agribusiness to the area: "An economic development announcement is a great way to close out the year," she remarked on the Governor's website. The partnership model for this development also includes the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Piedmont Community College, Caswell County, and its Economic Development department.

For more details about the Cherokee Tobacco Company's new facility and the associated economic benefits for Caswell County, please refer to the official announcement on the Governor's website.