CommScope expands fiber optic operations, brings 250 jobs to Catawba County, North Carolina
(UI) — Telecommunications infrastructure provider CommScope plans to add 250 new jobs with a $60.3 million investment to expand its fiber-optic cable manufacturing operations in North Carolina’s Catawba County, Governor Roy Cooper said on July 25.
“Connecting every household in North Carolina to high-speed internet is going to take a lot of fiber, and with this expansion CommScope is answering the call not only with American jobs, but North Carolina jobs,” said Governor Cooper. “We appreciate CommScope’s additional investment in Catawba County and their confidence in our workforce to improve the nation’s fiber-optic infrastructure.”
CommScope’s expansion will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by more than $834 million.
Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,899,900 spread over 12 years.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce led the state’s efforts to support the company’s expansion in North Carolina.
Although salaries for the new positions will vary, the average annual wage for the new positions is $57,444. Catawba County’s average salary is $52,172. The project’s payroll impact could fuel more than $14.3 million into the community each year.
Because CommScope chose to expand in Catawba County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 2, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving $211,100 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities across the state finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business.
Founded in Hickory, North Carolina, CommScope has led the communications technology space for more than 45 years. The Fortune 500 company began with coaxial cable production for broadband and cable TV and now offers end-to-end solutions for wired and wireless networks.
CommScope develops, manufactures, installs, and supports network and hardware infrastructure for a digital society, such as the high-speed internet that connects people and places around the world. This project will upgrade the Catawba County facilities to increase the company’s capacity to produce fiber optic cable.
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