(Pelham, N.C.) — South Boston-based Cherokee Tobacco announced a new manufacturing and distribution operation in Caswell County.
They expect to create 39 new jobs and invest upwards of $14 million as they consolidate their operations with JEB International at a 65,000-square-foot facility in Pelham.
Cherokee got a $125,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund as part of an incentive package. That will include local matching funds.
Cherokee’s annual payroll will eclipse two-and-a-half million dollars.
“Agriculture roots run deep in North Carolina as it remains our greatest economic driver,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said. “Not only do we have a skilled workforce, we also have a great business climate and one of the largest manufacturing economies in the nation to support the global operations of growing companies and Caswell County fits the bill.”
Cherokee Tobacco Company is a family-owned business that has manufactured and sold its own brand of cigarettes, cigars, and pipe products for more than two decades. Cherokee is a sister company of JEB International, a tobacco processing company that serves the industry throughout the global market. The new build-to-suit facility will provide a clean manufacturing space to add new, next-generation product lines.
“We are very excited to be coming to North Carolina and to be working closely with Caswell County and PCC,” said Jay Barker, the Owner & CEO of Cherokee Tobacco Company and JEB International. “We believe this new facility will improve efficiency for both groups and create the optimal environment to carry our companies and our brands into the future.”
“North Carolina leads the nation in tobacco production,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Our manufacturing and agribusiness industries continue to evolve and attract innovative companies that want to create new jobs and products through new technologies.”
“An economic development announcement is a great way to close out the year,” said N.C. Representative Renée A. Price. “We appreciate the people and partnerships that helped recruit yet another successful family-owned agribusiness to Caswell County and we look forward to all they will build here.”
Although salaries will vary by position, the average annual wage will be $65,154, which exceeds the Caswell County average of $43,046. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $2.5 million for the region.