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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Lithuanian-Based SBA Home Plans Mocksville, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations

12/26/2024
Lithuanian-based SBA Home, a furniture manufacturer, plans to establish operations in Mocksville, North Carolina. The more than $70 million project is expected to create 250 jobs in Davie County.

This new 500,000-square-foot production facility, located at 187 Gildan Drive, will manufacture and distribute furniture products to meet the demand of the company’s U.S. customers.

“We are excited to launch our journey in the United States, starting in North Carolina—a state renowned for its dynamic business environment and exceptional opportunities for globally growing companies,” said Jurgita Radzevice, CEO of SBA Home. “With its wide talent pool, excellent infrastructure and logistics, support from the State, combined with SBA Home’s modern manufacturing expertise and human centric organizational culture, we are confident this venture will create high-quality jobs and give a positive impact to the region. We believe it further bolsters partnership between Lithuania and the United States, paving the way for innovation and shared success.”

The project will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), which was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $435.8 million. Using a formula that takes into account $50 million of the company’s investment as well as the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,421,250, spread over 12 years. State payments only occur following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.

The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 51 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost to the state, the state receives $1.51 in state revenue. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.

“When they choose to expand into new markets, international companies want to operate in the best state in America,” noted N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “I envision a North Carolina that continues to be first in talent and innovation as we welcome industry game changers into our business community and create an economy that works for every North Carolinian.”

Because SBA chose a site in Davie County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 3, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving $473,375 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 3 county such as Davie, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state.

“A ready-to-upfit building, a strong workforce, and an efficient supply chain in the Southeast were critical in the decision,” added Davie County Economic Development Commission President Terry Bralley. “Without our spec building program and private investors, we would have never had a chance at this project.”

Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) on the project were the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, Davidson-Davie Community College, Davie County, Davie County Schools, Davie County Economic Development and the Town of Mocksville.

SBA Home is the largest division of SBA Grupe UAB, a Lithuanian conglomerate that exports furniture.

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