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Industrial Contractor to Bring 43 Jobs, $1.9 Million Investment to Elizabeth City, N.C.

(Elizabeth City, N.C., July 7, 2010) – AMARK Corp., an industrial contractor, will expand with a new fabrication facility in Elizabeth City, N.C., the Albemarle Economic Development Commission (AEDC) announced today. The company plans to create 43 jobs and invest $1.9 million, including lease payments, during the next three years. The project was made possible in part by a $126,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“Creating jobs is my number one priority, and North Carolina continues to be attractive to strong, growing industrial service companies,” said Gov. Perdue. “Our skilled workers, custom training programs and top-rated business climate remain top draws for companies nationwide looking for the best location to succeed.”

AMARK Corp., headquartered in Virginia, fabricates steel and pipe for multiple uses in both general and industrial construction applications. The company plans to expand operations into North Carolina by leasing the former Davis Yachts building in Elizabeth City. The currently vacant site will be converted into a fabrication shop to cut, weld and fabricate steel structures as well as miscellaneous metals.

Salaries will vary by job function, but the annual average wage for the new jobs will be $36,618, not including benefits. That is above the Pasquotank County average annual wage of $27,040.

“AMARK was introduced to the Pasquotank region by one of its new development partners, Jon Wheeler of Wheeler Interests, which owns the building and was essential in bringing AMARK to the area and coordinating with the various resources available in North Carolina to make the expansion feasible,” said company President Colleen Patton. “The management of AMARK is excited about the incentives and the opportunity to move to North Carolina. The Elizabeth City facility is only an hour away from the company’s Virginia headquarters and will be beneficial in supporting the needs of its current operations.”

“AMARK's decision to expand in Elizabeth City is a tribute to the power of cooperation and partnership,” said Elizabeth City Mayor Roger McLean. “With the help of Gov. Perdue, these 43 well-paying jobs will be coming to Elizabeth City. I am especially proud of the major role the City of Elizabeth City played in making this project a success.”

Pasquotank County officials also lauded the announcement.

“We welcome AMARK and the high-wage jobs the company is bringing to Pasquotank County,” said Marshall Stevenson, chairman of the Pasquotank County Commission.
“This was a complex project, and the AEDC is happy to have been able to coordinate the effort,” added AEDC Chairwoman Anita Hummer. “On behalf of the AEDC, I would particularly like to thank City Manager Rich Olson for the many hours he devoted to the project.”

The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to quality for grant funds. These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

“We must keep investing in job creation across North Carolina, especially in these tough times,” said Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, D-Dare, who represents Pasquotank County. “AMARK's announcement that they will be putting more people to work is welcome news for Pasquotank County and Northeastern North Carolina." 

“We’re delighted that Virginia-based AMARK is expanding across the state line into North Carolina. These jobs are critical to the Northeastern region,” said Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank. “We’re excited about this expansion and hope there is more to come.”
North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate. Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.

Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other partners who helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Pasquotank County, Elizabeth City, N.C. Rural Economic Development Center and the Golden LEAF Foundation.

For more information about AMARK Corp., including job opportunities with the company, go to: www.amarkcorp.com.

Headquartered in Elizabeth City, the AEDC markets business opportunities in the City of Elizabeth City and Pasquotank County to prospective employers throughout the United States. Visit www.discoverEC.com or call at 1-888-338-1678 or (252) 338-0169.