Area Development
The Gates Corporation, a maker of auto belts and hoses, is investing $4.6 million and creating 58 jobs in Jefferson, North Carolina. The One North Carolina Fund is supporting the expansion with a $100,000 grant.

"Gates is very appreciative to the North Carolina Commerce Department, Ashe County Commission, and the town of Jefferson for their support in this initiative. We look forward to the opportunity to add more jobs to the region," said Tony D'alessandro, plant manager for the Ashe County facility. "This would not have been possible without the One North Carolina grant, which was the determining factor in the selection of Ashe County over other Gates sites."

Gates is one of the world's largest manufacturers of industrial and auto belts and hoses. It currently employs 265 people at the Ashe County site. The expansion will add two robotic cell production lines to make belts used in drive electric power steering generation systems.