A titanium manufacturer plans to invest more than $865 million in a reclamation facility in Fayetteville — a project that would bring hundreds of high-paying jobs to Cumberland County over the next several years, state commerce officials said Tuesday.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Economic Investment Committee approved an incentives package worth up to $20.3 million to attract the project to Cumberland County. It was one of two major economic development announcements by the state Tuesday.

Other WRAL Top Stories

American Titanium Metal LLC plans to initially invest $867.8 million in the facility, which would make aerospace-grade titanium, and create 304 new full-time jobs by 2028, according to state officials. The jobs would have an average annual salary of at least $123,476 — almost three times the county average. Future expansion could increase the investment to more than $1 billion with new employment totaling more than 450 full-time jobs, according to county notices.

American Titanium Metal, which operates as Project Aero, was formed in 2023. The company focuses on the production of aerospace-grade titanium in the U.S. Domestic production would help the U.S. control its aerospace manufacturing supply chain, state officials said Tuesday. “Titanium is mission-critical to the U.S. aerospace manufacturing supply chain,” Director of Commerce Finance Mark Poole said during the committee’s meeting.

Efforts to reach the company were unsuccessful Tuesday. In a statement, company executives described the project as "mission critical." Chairman Teresa McBride added in a statement: “Aerospace has continuously pushed the boundaries of human potential and plays a pivotal role in our nation's economic growth while bridging distances, transforming economies, and securing our future.”

The company’s 500,000-square-foot Fayetteville facility would contain three connected buildings, where workers would melt, roll and finish titanium. Most of it would be recycled material, state officials said.

The incentives package includes a jobs development grant worth up to $8 million over 12 years. The company would receive the money in installments if it hits hiring targets. Other incentives include workforce training and infrastructure support. The project is expected to increase North Carolina’s gross domestic product by about $1.5 billion dollars, according to state estimates.

The state incentives come in addition to incentives being offered by Cumberland County and the city of Fayetteville. The county and city approved incentives packages in May. Those incentives are worth up to $189.9 million, state officials said.

American Titanium Metals also considered sites in Georgia and Texas, according to the state.

As part of the plan, Fayetteville would annex a 120-acre property into the city limits and the Fayetteville Public Works Commission would run water and power lines to the site, which is off U.S. 401, north of Interstate 295, near a massive Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plant, WRAL previously reported.

Manufacturers and distributors have been attracted to Cumberland County in part because of its strong road network — with access to north-south and east-west Interstates — and the availability of skilled talent, including thousands of soldiers who complete service at Fort Liberty and enter the civilian workforce.

"This is a great type of project for the workforce we have. and also for where we want to move in advancing our innovation-based economy here," Robert Van Geons, chief executive of the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp., told WRAL.

Last month, a 1.3 million-square-foot Amazon warehouse opened with plans to hire 1,000 people.

Meanwhile, an international maker of solar components is considering Cumberland County for a manufacturing project that could create 815 jobs, according to a county notice published late last month. The solar panel manufacturer would be another key get for state economic developers, who have focused on luring more clean energy companies to North Carolina.

The titanium project "highlights our potential in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, making Fayetteville poised for tremendous growth and increased prosperity,” Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin said in a statement.

Opponents of the project have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the titanium plant. The facility will pull water from the Fayetteville Public Works Commission's sewer system. "All their cooling water will be directed into the sewer plant and will be monitored," Van Geons said.

Idexx incentives

State officials also approved incentives Tuesday for medical device firm Idexx Laboratories, which plans to invest $147 million and hire 275 people in Wilson County. The company plans to make veterinary diagnostic equipment at the new plant.

The jobs would be created over five years and pay an average of almost $66,000 — about 25% above the county average, officials said. An Idexx spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Commerce officials approved an incentives package worth up to $5.2 million. That package includes a jobs grant worth up to $3.9 million. The grant would be paid out in installments if the company hits investment and hiring targets.

City of Wilson and Wilson County officials approved a total of up to $5.2 million in local incentives, the state said. Idexx also considered sites in the Atlanta area.

WRAL Fayetteville Reporter Gilbert Baez contributed to this report.