September 13, 2019
NOVIPAX TO EXPAND RICHMOND COUNTY OPERATION
$5 Million Investment Will Bring 25 Jobs to Rockingham by 2021
ROCKINGHAM, NC [9/5/2019]: Rockingham’s manufacturing business is continuing to grow as Novipax, providers of the widest assortment of standard and active food absorbents, recently announced a $5 million expansion for their manufacturing plant in Rockingham, NC.
“Novipax is proud to announce that we are bringing more jobs to the Richmond County community. We see this project as an opportunity to strengthen our ties to this community and the State of North Carolina,” said Kevin Bounds, facility manager for the Rockingham Novipax plant. “With the support of this outstanding community, our focus is to continue to grow our business organically.” The investment will happen over the next two years and bring 25 new jobs to the area over that same time frame.
“We are ecstatic that Novipax is continuing to establish roots in the community by creating 25 new jobs,” said Kenneth Robbinette, Chairman of the Richmond County Commissioners. “It’s a great feeling when our community can support and foster job growth for companies who call Richmond County home.”
As part of the investment and expansion, Novipax has received a $200,000 Building Re-Use State Rural Grant from the State of North Carolina. Grants are available to support the renovation or expansion of buildings occupied by a company operating in the state of North Carolina for at least 12 months. Companies must also meet the weekly wage standard, provide at least 50% benefits to employees and be represented on the Priority Industry Table.
Novipax is continuing to cultivate a business that has been operating in Rockingham for more than 30 years, originally known as Sealed Air. The Rockingham Novipax plant is one of eight operated by the company, with other locations in California, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Mississippi.
“The expansion of Novipax’s facility and promise for new jobs in the community is demonstrating that Richmond County’s manufacturing industry is maintaining steady growth,” said County Commissioner Ben Moss Jr. “We are excited at the current level of economic expansion, and are hopeful that it continues.”
The Novipax announcement marks the third major economic development announcement for Richmond County in 2019, following the expansion of the Impact Plastics plant in April, and a Vaughan Buckley Construction Manufacturing plant in June. In all, the three announcements will bring 185 new jobs to the area and a $20 million investment to the local tax base. Additionally, all 185 jobs created will pay above the Richmond County Average wage.
ABOUT RICHMOND COUNTY:
Located in North Carolina’s southern Piedmont, Richmond County offers businesses and residents easy access to the very best the state has to offer. Interstates 73 and 74 provide convenient access to major metro area, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Only minutes away is the fabled Village of Pinehurst, site of the US Open Golf Championships for both men and women in 2014. Richmond County is home of the Rockingham Motor Speedway -- better known as “The Rock” to generations of NASCAR fans.
Richmond County’s Economic Development Office offers confidential site selection services to manufacturers, location advisors, industrial realtors and other businesses.
ABOUT NOVIPAX
Novipax is a packaging manufacturer that produces absorbent pads and expanded polystyrene foam trays for food processors in the United States. It serves more than 150 food processors, supermarkets and food packaging distributors through its five manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit www.novipax.com
