In a significant move for North Carolina’s manufacturing landscape, Governor Josh Stein participated in the official opening of Morinaga America Foods, Inc.’s new facility in Mebane. This marks the candy manufacturer’s second production site outside Asia, with an investment of $136 million that is set to create 204 new jobs in Orange County.
Governor Stein highlighted North Carolina’s strong workforce as a key factor in attracting international investment. He stated, “North Carolina’s competitive edge is its people, and our strong manufacturing workforce continues to attract investment from companies from around the world.” This sentiment was echoed by N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, who praised the state’s capacity to support global businesses, saying, “Morinaga’s continued investment in Orange County is a strong endorsement of North Carolina’s manufacturing workforce and our ability to support global companies as they grow in the United States.”
North Carolina boasts the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast, employing nearly 500,000 individuals. This was further underlined when Governor Stein recently attended the launch of a new passenger rail manufacturing center by Siemens Mobility Inc. in Lexington, which is projected to add over 506 jobs to Davidson County and inject $1.6 billion into the state economy over ten years. More information on this development is available here.
Governor Stein’s engagement with Morinaga America Foods, Inc. extends beyond state borders. Last year, he met with the company’s leadership in Tokyo during the Southeast U.S. (SEUS)/Japan Association Annual Joint Meeting, underscoring the importance of international partnerships. More details about this meeting can be found here.
Japanese businesses have made substantial contributions to North Carolina’s economy, with nearly 250 companies operating out of over 600 locations, employing more than 36,000 people. Over the last decade, Japanese firms have invested close to $20 billion, creating over 10,000 jobs, which reflects nearly 45% of the state’s foreign direct investment.
Further emphasizing this international collaboration, Governor Stein recently announced that Japan’s SMBC Group will expand its U.S. operations in Charlotte. This $50.5 million investment will produce 2,000 jobs over the next six years. More details on this expansion can be found here.
Since taking office, Governor Stein has announced investments exceeding $27 billion, alongside the creation of nearly 41,000 new jobs in North Carolina.
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