Automobile Plant To Bring 200 Jobs To Newton

Automobile component manufacturer ZF Lemforder Corporation will open a plant in Newton, bringing 200 jobs to Catawba County, Gov. Mike Easley announced Thursday.

VIDEO: Hundreds of new jobs coming to Catawba County

Easley said the company will invest up to $28.8 million. Average annual salaries are projected at $33,400.

"ZF Lemforder Corporation's decision to invest in Catawba County will mean sustainable, high skill, high paying manufacturing jobs for the area," Easley said in a statement. "This is the kind of work that will not go offshore."

ZF Lemforder Corp. is the tenth recipient of an award under the state Job Development Investment Grant.

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It awards up to 15 grants annually to businesses and industrial projects which would not locate in North Carolina otherwise. Cumulative annual amounts are capped at $10 million.

"Our business climate is ranked number one nationally and today's announcement is proof our aggressive approach works," Easley said.