Company to locate in Lumberton, will bring 150 high-paying jobs

LUMBERTON — Cape Fear Arsenal Inc., a manufacturer of ammunition products in the Southeast, will locate a facility in Lumberton that will create 150 jobs and invest more than $15.2 million in the community during the next three years.

The plant will be in a vacant 65,000-square-foot building on Starlight Drive that used to house Outer Banks and most recently was home to Soldier Solutions. It has been vacant three years.

Gov. Pat McCrory and state Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced the company’s plans to locate in Lumberton in a statement released today.

“Our state has a strong manufacturing legacy,” McCrory said. “This new facility advances that legacy with an innovative process that will result in much-needed, high-paying jobs for workers in Robeson County.”

Cape Fear Arsenal is a private corporation that focuses on products that will primarily be sold to law enforcement, but it also expects to bid on contracts for the military and state agencies.

“CFA is very appreciative of this opportunity to partner with the state of North Carolina and Robeson County as we look to do something positive in this industry,” said David Hargitt, the CEO of the company. “Without the state and local government’s outstanding support, CFA’s ability to provide these opportunities in Lumberton would not have been possible. CFA will apply innovative manufacturing technology and the highly competent Robeson County workforce to produce various calibers of pistol ammunition for an already stressed and lacking ammunition market.”

The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $490,000. The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs. 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.

Other partners that helped with the project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce; the N.C. Community College System; Robeson County; city of Lumberton; Robeson County Economic Development Commission; and the Robeson County Committee of 100.

“This new manufacturing facility will provide solid employment opportunities for an area that was hit hard by the recession,” Sen. Michael Walters said.

State Rep. Garland Pierce said the local workforce was a factor in the company’s decision to locate in Robeson County.

“North Carolina’s tremendous workforce continues to attract businesses to our state, and we’re excited to have Cape Fear Arsenal coming to Robeson County,” he said.