News

Kings Mountain Getting Jobs Back Handful At A Time

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C.,None — A 100,000-square-foot empty box in Kings Mountain will evolve in three months, bringing 27 new jobs to town.

It could create as many as 40 positions in three years.

A Canadian pipe maker announced it's moving into the building on Industrial Drive. Job seeker Teresa Price said the jobs are hope.

It would just answer a lot of prayers," she said.

This mother of three was laid off three years ago from AGI, once one of the biggest employers in the city. It's now shut down.

She is still looking for work in a county with a 15.1 percent unemployment rate.

"We all went through the temporary services, and they can't even find jobs anymore," she said.

Some people call the jobs a drop in the bucket, but Mayor Rick Murphrey said it's a start.

"Our No. 1 priority is jobs," he said.

Murphrey said several job layoffs were announced at more than 100 at a time. He said the city will likely get them back a hand full at a time.

They have received a $200,000 grant to help businesses on Main Street grow.

"We got a great location, good people, and we'll continue t bring jobs into our community," Murphrey said.

But the help is not in time to save the Little Dan's on South Battleground Avenue. On Wednesday the owner locked up after her last sale following 33 years of business.

The owner said business dropped by 50 percent when nearby plants shutdown. She said she hopes for a revival to help sell the store.