North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Lumber distributor Cedar Direct is set to establish a new distribution and warehousing facility in Spindale, creating 20 new jobs.
The company will invest $925,000 in the facility, marking its third location dedicated to supplying high-quality cedar and specialty lumber to wholesalers and contractors.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced the expansion today, emphasizing the collaborative spirit driving economic growth in the region. “Cedar Direct’s decision to set up operations here provides valuable economic opportunities for our skilled workforce,” he stated.
Cedar Direct specializes in distributing Western Red cedar and other specialty building products, catering to lumber yards, mills, supply houses, and contractors. This new site will offer a variety of lumber products in different sizes and finishes, further enhancing the company’s service capabilities.
“The progressive business environment in North Carolina and the increasing demand for cedar products made Spindale an ideal choice for our expansion,” said Dale Hatfield, manager of Cedar Direct.
The expansion will create new jobs with an average annual wage of $61,800, significantly above Rutherford County’s average of $45,030, potentially generating an annual payroll impact exceeding $1.2 million for the local economy.
Cedar Direct received a performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, aimed at attracting economic investment and job creation. This program requires local governments to match funds and companies to meet specific job creation and investment criteria before receiving assistance.
The project is a collaborative effort involving the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and various local agencies,an supporting growth in the construction sector.