Area Development
A manufacturer of electrical wiring, lighting control, power cables and other electrical products, Leviton Manufacturing Company, Inc., will invest $7.3 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Morganton, North Carolina, with plans to create 152 jobs during the next three years.

Leviton designs, manufactures and markets electrical and electronic wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions, lighting energy management solutions, metering systems and related items to the manufacturing, industrial and electronic industries at its plant located at 113 Industrial Boulevard in Morgantown, a city on Interstate 40 east of Asheville.

Leviton's Chief Financial Officer Mark Baydarian said, "Leviton started manufacturing in North Carolina in the 1960's. Since that time we have found North Carolina to be an excellent environment to manufacture products. Our North Carolina employees are loyal, dedicated and productive workers. Additionally, we have found the state to be fair and supportive of manufacturing growth. This grant is evidence of North Carolina's commitment to create jobs within the state and the United States in general. We are excited to expand our North Carolina facility and look forward to continued strong working relationships with the state and local governments."

The project was made possible, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant, which is performance based. Under the terms of the JDIG, the company is eligible to receive a grant equal to 55 percent of the state personal income withholding taxes derived from the creation of new jobs for each of the eight years in which the company meets annual performance targets. If Leviton meets the targets called for under the agreement, the JDIG could yield $1.1 million in maximum benefits for the company.

JDIGs are awarded only to new and expanding businesses and industrial projects whose benefits exceed the costs to the state and which would not be undertaken in North Carolina without the grant, the Governor's Office said.

"The business climate is North Carolina is thriving and Leviton knows this is the right place to expand their operations," Gov. Bev Perdue said. "This is proof that our investments in education and infrastructure are paying off and resulting in good jobs for North Carolinians."