ASHEBORO — A manufacturer that has been mostly based in Mid-Atlantic states is coming to Randolph County.
Gillespie Precast is expected to bring about 60 jobs to a location in the southwestern part of the county on High Pine Church Road based on this week’s announcement.
Gillespie Precast is a family-owned and operated precast concrete manufacturer serving utility and site contractors in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
“While we had several locations within North Carolina and Virginia targeted in our expansion plans, once we walked the property at High Pine Church Road it was abundantly clear to us that this was where we were going to plant our flag,” said Andrew Gillespie, president of Gillespie Precast.
The location will be on the former Hughes Furniture Industries site, which served as a lumber yard. Gillespie Precast will purchase 32.85 acres.
The company announced that a new facility will be built. Some existing structures will be demolished and other buildings will be renovated.
“This is the perfect business for this property, and it will make the highest and best use out of it, all while adding good paying jobs to this section of the county,” said Crystal Gettys, business recruitment director for the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation.
Based on job creation, Randolph County has offered $92,000 in an incentive grant to be paid across a five-year period, with an endorsement from Darrell Frye, the chairman of the county commissioners. Gillespie Precast also will be eligible for $350,000 in state grants.
Average wages at Gillespie Precast will be $63,000 – or more than $13,000 above the county’s average wage.
Gillespie Precast’s current product line and precast concrete solutions include box culvert, dry utility (power, electric and communication) structures, pump station structures, pre-piped meter vaults, sanitary and storm sewer drainage items, complete trench drain packages, and many types of custom precast, according to information from the company.
The expansion to Randolph County is aimed to serve existing and new clients, the company said.
