MCEDP

Governor Roy Cooper announced Reliance Packaging LLC will invest $7.5 million and create 32 new jobs over the next three years in an expansion of its operations in Aberdeen, and the Town of Aberdeen has been awarded a $160,000 Building Reuse Grant and a $50,000 One North Carolina Fund grant from the N.C. Department of Commerce to support Reliance’s expansion.

Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP), the nonprofit public/private economic development organization serving all of Moore County, assisted the Town of Aberdeen and Reliance Packaging in applying for the grants and will continue to assist the project by providing administrative support over each grant’s term.

These awards represent the third Building Reuse grant, and the second One NC Fund grant Aberdeen has received to support Reliance’s expansions over the company’s 20-year history in Aberdeen.

Reliance Packaging relocated to Aberdeen from Florida in 2014 and manufactures high quality flexible packaging products. A member of Sigma Plastics Group, the company extrudes, prints, and converts heavy-duty bags and printed roll-stock for the lawn & garden, ice bag, and industrial markets.

The company operates from two (2) adjacent facilities at 155 and 175 Anderson Street in Aberdeen. Grant funding will be used to raise the roof and construct new steel towers at 155 Anderson Street to encase two (2) new multi-million dollar 5-layer blown film extruders. This new machinery will enable Reliance to add a fifth production line to better serve existing customers as well as attract new customers.

“This will be Reliance’s third major expansion since coming to Aberdeen”, said Darryn Burich, MCEDP’s Business Development Director. “Reliance started with ten (10) employees here in 2014 and has grown to 70. Not including the current expansion, they have already grown by more than 285% in floor space. Both are incredible accomplishments that attest to Reliance’s continued success in Aberdeen.“

To further support Reliance’s current expansion, the N.C. Department of Commerce also approved more than $435,600 in sales tax exemptions on machinery & equipment purchases as well as several workforce-related incentives, including customized training, valued at $82,800. Sandhills Community College will work with Reliance at the local level to develop a comprehensive training plan to meet the company’s specific workforce development requirements.

“Aberdeen is proud to be home to a large number of Moore County’s manufacturing businesses, and we are especially proud when the Town can directly support one of our local manufacturers and contribute to their continued growth and success in our community,” said Paul Sabiston, Aberdeen Town Manager.

“Initially two (2) other out-of-state facilities within Sigma Plastics Group were being considered for this expansion; however, our proven track record of success and growth in Aberdeen, combined with the incentives awarded by the State of North Carolina, made it clear the expansion should take place at our facility here in Aberdeen,” said Satish Sharma, President of Reliance Packaging. “We greatly appreciate the support we have received from the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of N.C., Moore County, the Town of Aberdeen, and MCEDP.”

The Building Use grant provides funds to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand, or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs. Grant funds are passed through the local government and managed as a reimbursement to the building owner to offset up to 50% of the costs of repairing and renovating the building to meet the company’s operational requirements. A local cash match of 5% is required to support the project.

The One NC Fund is a performance-based grant awarded to local governments to support business projects that will have a significant economic impact in the region but are in jeopardy of locating outside of North Carolina if the grant funds are not awarded. The project company receives no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance requirements to qualify for grant funds. Funds are released in 25% increments as job creation thresholds are met. The grant also requires and is contingent upon a local dollar-for-dollar match.

“We are thrilled to see Reliance Packaging expand their operations again here in Moore County. Their expansion will add high paying jobs for Moore County citizens that will bolster our growing manufacturing industry sector,” said Natalie Hawkins, President of MCEDP.

Moore County Economic Development Partnership (MCEDP) is a 501c(3) not-for-profit economic development organization and public-private partnership serving all of Moore County, NC. MCEDP’s mission is to “increase economic prosperity and improve the quality of life for Moore County’s citizens through the creation of quality jobs and capital investment in our communities.”

For more information about Reliance Packaging, please visit www.reliancepkg.com.