Answering the public call to increase manufacturing jobs in America, materials manufacturer Corning Inc. will be building a new plant in Durham County, North Carolina. The new plant will produce a uniquely durable glass, called “Valor,” to be used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Company executives will be putting $189 million into building the facility, continuing Corning’s commitment to providing high-quality employment for the area and the state.
About the new jobs
According to Corning leaders, the new plant will add over 300 new jobs to the area through factory employment alone, not including additional jobs economic development will likely bring. Skilled manufacturers in the area may have much to gain as salaries at other Corning plants are as follows:
- Product Development Engineer: $105,000-$113,000 per year
- Pricing Specialist: $53,000-$60,000 per year
- Quality Control technician: $45,000-$50,000 per year
- Formulation Technician: $16-17 per hour
- Production Lead: $16-17 per hour
In addition, the average annual salary in the Durham plant will be $65,999, similar to average salaries in the area, according to The News & Observer article.
The part North Carolina will play
North Carolina state incentives include a $6 million grant to Corning, which is part of a $16 million package that will include government and private grants from around the area. The grant package will be used to build the Durham facility as well as a warehousing facility in nearby Edgecombe County. These grants represent state and local government confidence that the new plants will add to the area’s strong and stable manufacturing economy.
How North Carolina wins
Corning leaders likely chose Durham, North Carolina for two reasons: First, they already have a plant there, and the original plant can support its new sister plant. Second, like many places in America, plenty of skilled manufacturing workers in the Durham area are looking for jobs that will increase their dignity and ability to provide for their families. Bringing the clean, innovative Corning “Valor” glass manufacturing to the state will improve the economy and local manufacturers’ outlooks.