HCPED Earns Top 5 Award of Excellence in Automotive Sector

Hendersonville, NC – Expansion Solutions Magazine recently announced its Third Annual “Top Five” Awards of Excellence.  These awards recognize economic development organizations which have shown exceptional progress and potential in developing key industry sectors.  Expansion Solutions considered factors including strategic locations, pro-business climate, the investments that have been made improving infrastructure and the availability of buildings and sites in choosing these locations.

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development joined organizations in Baldwin County AL, Chattanooga TN, Columbus-Lowndes MS, and the North Louisiana Partnership as the Top Five organizations who have demonstrated exceptional progress and potential in the development of the Automotive Sector.  Bobby Nelon, Plant Manager of Continental Automotive Systems said, "Expansion Solutions magazine confirmed officially what Continental has known for years - Henderson County, NC is one of the best places in the world to produce automotive components."  The Henderson County, NC summary printed in the Expansion Solutions Awards Issue is below.

Henderson County, NC lies at the intersection of logistics and workforce advantages for the automotive sector.  Recent announcements by Continental Teves, Borg Warner and ArvinMeritor underline the emphasis on western North Carolina as an ideal location for the automotive industry.  Continental’s decision to locate a globally-competitive project of 338 new jobs and $30+ million investment in July 2009 reinforces the strength of Henderson County’s offering.

With 17% of the workforce engaged in manufacturing, and customizable training programs available through Blue Ridge Community College, a skilled and ready workforce is in place.  North Carolina is a right-to-work state and Henderson County has no unionized manufacturing labor.  The Rapid Prototyping Center at Western Carolina University provides concept to manufacturing capabilities for research and design.  Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Research is an advanced-technology collaborative between industry, government and academia.

Located at the intersection of Interstate 26 and Interstate 40, many component suppliers enjoy convenient access to the BMW facility, and look forward to opportunities at the emerging Volkswagen facility. Component manufacturers in Henderson County enjoy access to these and other final assembly facilities without bearing the expense of competing for labor and wage levels of final assembly locations.

Ferncliff Industrial Park recently completed the requirements for the newly revamped North Carolina Certified Sites Program. With 220+ risk-mitigated, developable acres, and industrial-quality infrastructure from partners at Duke Energy and PSNC Energy, Ferncliff represents an attractive new construction opportunity to complement quality existing buildings in the area.

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic places organizational priority on retention and expansion projects. Their foundation in the automotive sector, in addition to logistic and workforce advantages, has led to their progress and positions them for exceptional potential. 

The Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) organization that works to: retain and attract quality jobs; solicit new business compatible with the assets and values of Henderson County; promote Henderson County’s business image; assist expansion of existing companies; and enhance Henderson County’s overall quality of life.