North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced Cedar Direct, LLC, a lumber distributor, will establish a new distribution and warehousing facility in Rutherford County. The project is set to bring 20 new jobs and an investment of $925,000 to the Town of Spindale, as confirmed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
“Cedar Direct is setting up operations in Rutherford County at a time where the spirit of collaboration and resiliency is on full display,” Governor Cooper stated. He emphasized that the company’s choice to invest in the area will create economic opportunities for the local workforce.
Cedar Direct supplies cedar and specialty lumber to wholesalers and suppliers, offering products like Western Red cedar to lumber yards, mills, and contractors. This facility will become the company’s third location, expanding its services in the region by distributing lumber in various sizes for different building applications.
Dale Hatfield, Manager of Cedar Direct, expressed enthusiasm about the move. “We are happy to announce our third location in Spindale, North Carolina. A big reason we chose this location is the collaborative efforts between Cedar Direct and The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina,” he said, noting that North Carolina's progressive business stance and growing cedar market played a key role in the decision.
The new positions will offer an average annual wage of $61,800, notably higher than Rutherford County's average of $45,030. This could result in an annual payroll impact exceeding $1.2 million for the region. Cedar Direct’s expansion will also benefit from a $50,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, contingent upon job creation and capital investment goals.
“This announcement is great news for Rutherford County,” said N.C. Representative Jake Johnson, highlighting the importance of new opportunities for the region following recent storm damage.
In addition to state and local government partners, key contributors to the project include the North Carolina General Assembly and the local community college system.
