North Cove bottled water company expanding, bringing 138 new jobs

North Cove Springs, a regional producer of bottled water from natural springs, will soon expand its production facility and add 138 new jobs.
Located at 13195 U.S. 221 North, North Cove Springs will enter into a joint venture with Able Rebuilders LLC, a national tool remanufacturer based in Clearwater, Fla. The joint venture will expand North Cove Springs' water production by adding another bottling line at the existing plant. The company will invest more than $6.3 million and create 138 new jobs in McDowell County.
While salaries will vary by position, the project's 138 new jobs will pay an average annual wage of $28,141, not including benefits. That is higher than the McDowell County annual average wage of $27,976, according to a news release from Gov. Bev Perdue's office.
"North Carolina's business-friendly policies and highly skilled workforce remain attractive to growing companies looking for the ideal location to expand," said Perdue. "Our state is the perfect platform for successful firms like this one to compete and thrive in a national market."
The announcement was made possible in part by a $310,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund. Last week, the McDowell County Commissioners voted to approve a $310,000 incentive for the new company. This money will be used for "site and building improvements."
"McDowell County is pleased to have this company establish a location here," said Commission Chairman David Walker. "We are working hard on this project and others to try to bring jobs to McDowell County in a difficult economic environment."
County Manager Chuck Abernathy, who's also the economic development director, said McDowell County and the McDowell Economic Development Association worked hard on this project for more than seven months.
"Able Rebuilders is a national company with numerous locations and business entities," he said. "We look forward to their presence in McDowell County. We appreciate the work of Cindy Messer and Bill Payne with the N.C. Department of Commerce, Dr. Bryan Wilson and Juanita Doggett with McDowell Technical Community College and Marilyn Williams with the Employment Security Commission."
The incentive package offered by McDowell County was for $310,000 paid over a period of three years. This package is based on the creation of 103 jobs and incentive money is paid only after the verification that the job creation has occurred. The announcement out of the governor's office cited 138 jobs and the potential for additional jobs beyond this number is significant, said county officials.
The local incentive is used to match an equal amount of state incentive money from the One North Carolina Fund program. The fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.
"During these tough economic times, it's critical to make the investments that will create jobs and grow companies," said N.C. Sen. Joe Sam Queen. "We welcome these new jobs, especially in McDowell County. We are working every day for every opportunity."
North Cove Springs taps water from natural springs in the mountains. The company bottles, markets and distributes the spring water and naturally flavored water beverages to regional and national retailers.
"The state of North Carolina is obviously very special to us, providing the natural resources for us to be able to bring our products to market," said Chris Mencis, president of North Cove Springs. "It is also a special place to live and work. With this grant from the One North Carolina Fund, we're excited to be in a position to be able to contribute positively back to the economy."
Rob Katz, marketing director with Able Rebuilders, said his company is excited about investing in North Cove Springs and getting it started again.
"Certainly things were slowed down a little bit," said Katz.
But all of that is about to change.
"We are in production now so the expansion will start as we ramp up the business," he said. "We are working up to the need of having three shifts."
In addition, North Cove Springs will start offering new products, including a line of 100 percent natural flavored water beverages.
Able Rebuilders is a national company. Its sister operation, Able Body Labor, recently sponsored the NASCAR Nationwide Series Race in Phoenix, Ariz. Driver Carl Edwards won that race.
Able Rebuilders hopes that North Cove Springs will come in a winner, too.
"It's something we are excited about," said Katz. "We are really looking forward to contributing back to the community and the North Carolina economy."
For information on Able Rebuilders, go to www.ablerebuilders.com. For more information on North Cove Springs, go to www.ncnaturals.com. For information about jobs with the company, send an e-mail to iwant2work@ncnaturals.com.