Area Development
PPG Industries FiberGlass Products Inc., a manufacturer of fiberglass reinforcements, will invest $20.5 million to expand its facility in Shelby, North Carolina, according to the North Carolina governor's office. The company will add 120 new jobs at an average annual wage of $32,183 plus benefits. PPG Industries will increase production at the plant to meet growing demand for wind turbine blades, which are made from resin-coated fiberglass. "Long-term demand for PPG's Hybon single-end rovings has grown globally by double digits, and we expect this growth to continue in light of applications like wind energy, which will have grown more than 40 percent in the U.S. in 2007 and 2008," says Victoria M. Holt, a company senior vice president. "In spite of current economic uncertainties, the foundation for demand growth is solid for the longer term." Financial incentives offered to PPG include a $300,000 grant from the state.