Charlotte-based Celgard LLC has announced it will expand production capacity at its Concord, NC, facility and add 250 employees to its workforce. The average wage for the new positions will be $37,912 (not including benefits). Currently the firm employs 600 people throughout the state.

State grants from the Job Development Investment Grant and One North Carolina Grant programs are helping make the project a reality. To meet the targets established in these performance-based grants, the company plans to create these jobs and invest a total of $105 million in Cabarrus County over the next two years.

The company is a global leader in the development and production of specialty membranes used mainly in the lithium battery industry. It is owned by another global company. Polypore. This expansion will increase production capacity at Celgard's North Carolina plant so it can supply lithium battery manufacturers focused on the Electric Drive Vehicle (EDV) industry.

"Celgard is an innovative North Carolina company that is helping us realize the promise of a greener economy," said Governor Perdue. "We are able to create these `green collar' jobs, and other skilled jobs across the state, because we have invested in education and built an educated, skilled workforce."