Truck parts plant to expand

The expansion of a plant making parts for truck axles in Morganton promises the addition of more than 200 jobs in a part of the state struggling more than most in a tanking economy.

State officials announced the plans by Sypris Technologies on Thursday, the same day the state Economic Investment Committee approved a $2 million grant for the Louisville, Ky.-based company.

Sypris will receive the grant if it creates and keeps the jobs it has promised, which would more than double the work force of 166 at the plant.
The new jobs would pay an average of $33,900 a year, not counting any benefits, according to Gov. Mike Easley's office.

"At a time when the automotive industry is struggling nationally, we are pleased to have good news to announce here in North Carolina," Easley said in a statement. "Our commitment to economic development and our top-ranked business climate continues to bring good-paying, high-skilled jobs for North Carolina families."

Jobs are welcome in the Blue Ridge foothills.

Burke County posted 8.5 percent unemployment when October figures were released this week, up from 5.6 percent a year earlier.Neighboring McDowell County's jobless rate climbed to 9.3 percent, from 5.2 percent a year earlier.

Both are among the 40 counties with the most economic need, a state designation that gives them priority for economic development grants.Sypris has pledged to spend $25.4 million to expand the plant, about 55 miles east of Asheville, and add 203 jobs by the end of 2013.

"This is a pivotal period for all companies in the automotive industry," Sypris Technologies President Sergio de Carvalho said in a statement. "Consolidating certain areas of our operations under one roof in Morganton will improve our competitiveness, and the Morganton facility will become a major hub for our North American operations."

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