LEXINGTON, N.C. — Governor Roy Cooper announces 500 new jobs as Siemens Mobility selects Davidson County for major east coast manufacturing center.
Siemens Mobility, Inc., the global manufacturer of rail transportation cars and control systems, will build a major advanced manufacturing and rail services center in Davidson County, creating 506 jobs, Gov. Cooper announced.
"Leading global companies like Siemens Mobility continue to choose North Carolina to build the next generation in innovative clean transportation," Gov. Cooper said. "Thanks to our state's skilled workforce, and the proven education and training systems that help people maintain and build those skills, North Carolina is the number one state for manufacturing."
From the first light rail vehicle delivered to San Diego in 1984 to the 30,000 rail crossings across America, Siemens Mobility has contributed to the power of connection, jobs, and investment in the company's American cities with nine manufacturing facilities, including Lexington, 4,000 employees and more than 2,000 suppliers across the United States.
Siemen's CEO Marc Buncher said Davidson County won the bid against Spartanburg County South Carolina.
Lexington won the bid as Siemens looked for hundreds of acres with existing rail service and a labor market.
"Well, it was our first visit here actually when we started coming through North Carolina we heard people talking about good quality labor so that was one of the things that really excited us, and you heard about our new facility in California where we took it from 50 people to 25 hundred. We know the importance of a good workforce and so that's what we settled on Lexington," said Buncher.
"After four decades of manufacturing trains in America and on behalf of all 4,000 Siemens Mobility employees in the U.S., we are excited to announce that we will expand our new east coast hometown in Lexington," Buncher said. "Now this is the moment in time for rail in America and this facility supports our strategy to grow in close proximity to our customers as well as provide us with the added capacity needed to push the boundaries of innovation."
Siemens Mobility’s project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.6 billion. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, as well as a capital investment of $220.2 million, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $5,636,700, spread over 12 years.
Lexington Mayor Jason Hayes said this new facility is a game changer.
"Especially one that has been hit by textile and furniture jobs that have left. My folks worked in furniture factories. So, to have Siemens Mobility come here and create these living wage jobs for folks we’re so grateful," said Hayes.
Residents are also excited to welcome new people and business to the city.
"Honestly just to see the growth in the city, just to be able to see how many people are going to be able to benefit from this people. People I know and people I may not know I may meet one day because of this opportunity and event, "said Christian Palma.
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