Burke Development (BDI) announced Thursday that Sunrise Global Marketing, manufacturers of Greenworks Tools, plans to invest $10 million in a distribution facility in the 510,000-square-foot former HHG building on Causby Road. The company manufactures battery-powered outdoor power tools for DIY-consumers and landscaping professionals, according to a release from BDI.
It plans to be in operation by the end of January.
“All Greenworks product coming into the U.S. will come through this distribution center,” said Ronnie Thompson, mayor of Morganton. “Landing this project highlights our excellent location, which provides good access to markets all throughout the Southeast.”
“This is a big win for Burke County,” Jeff Brittain, chairman of the Burke County Board of Commissioners, said in the BDI release. “The company looked at locations in South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia so this was a very competitive project. We’re excited to welcome them to our community.”
The project was supported by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Burke County and the city of Morganton.
Greenworks Tools will receive a Job Development Investment Grant from the state, which requires the company’s average yearly wage to be $33,010. Morganton and Burke County officials are expected to consider local incentives on the agendas for both in January, according to the BDI release.
“This project moved rapidly as the HHG building was on the market for less than 90 days,” said BDI president and CEO Alan Wood. “We appreciate Greenworks choosing our community and contributing to the continued diversity we see in the economy of Burke County. We’re happy to have the products that this company distributes being brought to Burke County.”
The company will bring products made in China through the facility before shipping them across the U.S. and also perform some assembly and packaging at the facility, according to the release.