MetLife plans to bring 2,600 jobs to NC by end of 2015

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — MetLife is planning to bring 2,600 jobs to North Carolina by the end of 2015, officials announced Thursday.

The jobs will be split between Charlotte and Cary. Officials said it's the largest jobs announcement in recent North Carolina history.

MetLife, a life insurance and employee benefits company, plans to establish hubs for its U.S. retail business in Charlotte and for its global technology and operations organization in Cary.

New positions would include product management, marketing, sales and customer support in Charlotte, and information technology positions in Cary.

"We're proud that a strong corporate partner like MetLife has decided to invest in North Carolina," said Gov. Pat McCrory. "This is a good day for North Carolina."

People looking for jobs at CPCC's job fair were glad to hear it.

"I think that's great-- any time there's more jobs coming into Charlotte it's a good thing," Jennifer Smallwood said.

"I'd be very interested in that type of work," Gordon Duncan said.

Eyewitness News first broke the news in February that MetLife was planning a move to Charlotte.

Sources said the company would move into Ballantyne Corporate Park, which is run by the Bissell Companies.

Bissell representatives said Thursday they still have no comment.

The company qualifies for up to $87.2 million over 12 years in a state job development investment grant and an additional $2 million from the One North Carolina Fund Award.

The company expects to invest or cause to be invested $125.5 million into its two new campuses.

McCrory believes it's a good deal.

"It's great news for our economy in this state," McCrory said.

The Charlotte Chamber of Commerce commissioned a study from UNC Charlotte on MetLife's potential impact.

It estimates the company's 1,300-plus jobs in Charlotte will have a $342 million direct impact on the Charlotte economy.

But the study factors in all the ripple effects as well, from other companies doing business with MeLife and the company's employees spending the money they make as a result.

It expects MetLife to have an annual total impact of $529 million and support more than 2,600 jobs in Charlotte altogether.

Chamber President Bob Morgan said the jobs announcement also shows Charlotte is attractive to other companies and continues to grow as a financial sector.

"It's great momentum for us," he said. "We're sitting here in early March, we've seen over 3,200 jobs announced since the first of the year. And we know that the pipeline is full. There's more coming."

U.S. Senator Kay Hagan released the following statement on MetLife’s plans to add more than 2,600 jobs in Cary and Charlotte:  “Today’s announcement is a tremendous investment in North Carolina's economy. MetLife’s decision to expand in North Carolina bolsters our place as a leading hub for business and technology, and reinforces what we already know -- North Carolina is the best state in the country to live, work and do business. Jobs are my top priority, and I will continue working in Washington to create a business climate that entices investments, like today’s MetLife announcement, to our state.”

For more information about MetLife, including job opportunities, click here.

WSOC