Top Tobacco receives $150,000 grant

Tobacco manufacturer plans to invest $16.8 million and create 70 new jobs

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Expansion at a tobacco manufacturing plant in Lake Waccamaw is expected to bring 70 new jobs to Columbus County in the next three years. The plant currently employs 90 workers.

Earlier this year the county approved an economic incentive package for the company, but earlier this week the package grew with a $150,000 One North Carolina Fund grant going to the company as part of a $16.8 million expansion and job creation.

“Top Tobacco’s decision to expand in Lake Waccamaw reflects the strength of one of North Carolina’s traditional industrial bases and the ability to modernize to compete effectively in the global economy,” Gov. Mike Easley announced Monday in a press release. The grant is funded through a special program created to recruit industry and encourage expansion throughout North Carolina.

“This has been a year-long labor,” Sen. R.C. Soles said, pointing out he and Rep. Dewey Hill met Top Tobacco’s CEO a year ago and introduced him to N.C. Department of Commerce officials. “We’re very pleased – they have been good corporate citizens and market their product all over the world.” The manufacturer has a significant influence on the production of tobacco, Soles added.

“I think it’s great for all of our area,” Rep. Hill said Tuesday. “We’re so thankful they decided to make Columbus County the home for the expansion.

“They are a great corporation with great employees.”

Hill called the grant process “a real team effort” and pointed out the N.C. Department of Commerce was a “big help.”

“We would like to thank Gov. Easley, state Sen. R.C. Soles and state Rep. Dewey Hill and James Hinkle of the Columbus County Economic Development Commission for their assistance with this project,” Top Tobacco Plant Manager Claus Platt said in a press release. “Since 1987 our workforce and the people of North Carolina have worked very hard to make Top the nation’s leading roll-your-own tobacco company. We look forward to investing in and working with the people of Columbus County in the future.”

The county’s standard economic expansion package (approved earlier this year after a public hearing) will meet the required match, County Economic Director James Hinkle said Tuesday.

Top Tobacco, with brands including Drum, Gambler and Top, plans to construct an 18,800-square-foot addition to the Lake Waccamaw facility. Wages for the jobs vary, according to the press release, but the average weekly wage is above Columbus County’s average weekly wage of $520, not including benefits.

For more information about the company and employment opportunities contact Jim Legg at (910) 646-3015.