North Carolina is poised to further solidify its position as a key player in the aerospace industry, with Governor Josh Stein announcing that PPG Industries, a leader in aviation coatings and sealants, will be setting up a new manufacturing center in the City of Shelby. The endeavor is set to bring with it 110 new jobs and a substantial $380 million investment. This move marks a significant return of PPG to Shelby where it had previously established roots in the 1950s. In a statement obtained by the Governor's office, Stein expressed confidence in the local workforce and reaffirmed his commitment to educational and training programs.
PPG Industries is not a newcomer to the global stage with operations in over 70 countries and a reported $15.8 billion in net sales in 2024. The new Shelby manufacturing facility is expected to not only produce aerospace coatings and sealants but also to signal a growth spurt for the sector in the region. Tim Knavish, PPG chairman, and CEO conveyed to the Governor's Office press that this new facility will embody their purpose "to protect and beautify the world" while propelling the aerospace industry forward through innovation and technology.
The arrival of PPG is a harbinger of more good news for the city of Shelby and Cleveland County at large, with the average salary for the new jobs hovering around $66,861 – comfortably above the county's average wage at the time of the company’s grant application. Economic incentives are playing a pivotal role in this venture, with a performance-based grant of $300,000 from the One North Carolina Fund to facilitate PPG's project, contingent upon a matching grant from local governments and fulfillment of job creation and investment targets.
This development has undeniably been a team effort, with multiple parties, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and others, contributing to make this vision a reality. Senator Ted Alexander and Representative Kelly Hastings have both voiced their enthusiasm, with Hastings citing his personal connection as his mother is a PPG retiree. "Bringing PPG back to Cleveland County and Shelby took a lot of effort by many people and organizations working behind the scenes," Alexander told the Governor's press release.
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