State approves incentives for 500-job window factory in Johnston County

State commerce officials on Thursday approved economic incentives packages for projects that would bring more than 1,000 jobs to North Carolina, including hundreds in the Triangle.

Commerce officials approved incentives worth about $5.5 million for a New York window-and-door manufacturer that promises to add 501 jobs in Johnston County. Crystal Window & Door Systems is expected to build a new factory and create the jobs in Selma through 2029 as part of an $83.65 million investment.

Separately, a company that makes components used in lithium-ion batteries will establish its first manufacturing operation in the United States in Lincoln County, creating 545 jobs — the latest green energy company to land in the Tar Heel State.

State Commerce Department officials discussed the projects Thursday during a special meeting of the department’s Economic Investment Committee.

Executives at Crystal Window & Door didn’t respond to requests for comment. The company’s new facility is expected to produce vinyl and aluminum windows and doors, helping the company keep up with increased demand — particularly in the Southeast, state officials said.

Commerce officials approved an incentives package for the project valued at $5.5 million, including a jobs incentives grant worth $4.1 million spread over 12 years. The state incentives are in addition to $3.7 million in incentives that were being considered by county and local officials. The money would be paid out in installments if Crystal Window hits hiring targets.

Johnston County officials were scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss possible economic incentives for the company. County officials are considering annual cash grants paid from general county funds over a seven-year period, according to a county notice.

Crystal Window is expected to pay an average annual salary of about $56,000 — about 11% above the Johnston County average, state officials said. The project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.09 billion, they said. The company would build its facility at the Eastfield Crossing development, east of the intersection of Interstate 95 and U.S. 70, according to the county.

The company, which is based in the Queens borough of New York City, has expanded rapidly in recent months. Last week, it announced an expansion in northeastern Pennsylvania to speed production of vinyl windows. The company also expanded insulated glass fabrication capabilities in Pennsylvania. It also operates a factories, branches, subsidiaries, and affiliates in California, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Texas.

In March, the company entered the Canadian market through a partnership with Wincan Windows & Doors, creating affiliate Crystal Canada Windows. And last year, Crystal opened a Dallas, Texas, sales and distribution office to serve trade professionals such as contractors, builders and architects.

"Our expansion to North Carolina is a terrific next phase of that growth," Thomas Chen, chairman and founder of Crystal, said in a statement.

Green energy expansions

Crystal Window’s expansion in North Carolina is among the latest in a string of manufacturing jobs announcements in the state, and one of the latest companies to focus on energy efficiency. Many of the company's products are geared toward customers looking to make buildings more energy-efficient.

Since 2017, the state has announced at least 17,500 jobs focused on energy efficiency or producing products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Those jobs have been tied to projects that have brought more than $22.1 billion in capital investment to the state, according to commerce officials.

Last week, Vietnamese solar panel manufacturer Boviet Solar said it would build its first North American solar panel plant in Greenville, creating more than 900 jobs with the $294 million investment. State and local officials approved incentives worth more than $25 million to entice the company.

On Thursday, state officials said that Green New Energy Materials Inc. picked Lincoln County to establish its first manufacturing operation in the United States. The company plans to hire 545 people and invest $140 million in the Lincoln community of Denver.

Green New Energy Materials specializes in research and development, manufacturing, and sales of lithium-ion battery components used in electric vehicles, energy storage, electric tools, and other industrial products. The U.S. has been a key component of the company’s strategy to establish clean energy supply chains across the globe, the company said.

"North Carolina’s momentum in [the] clean energy economy grows stronger every day, bringing great manufacturing jobs that will put money in the pockets of families in Lincoln County and all across the state,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “This investment is yet another example of the economic prosperity that clean energy can bring to our communities.”

The average annual salary for the Green New Energy Materials positions is expected to be $57,934 — 11.2% above the Lincoln County average, according to commerce officials, who approved a jobs grant of up to $3.6 million over 12 years for the project. The company would have to hit hiring targets to receive the full amount. The project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $1.15 billion, according to commerce officials.

The company considered locations in Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Kentucky and Tennessee, among others, officials said. It chose Lincoln County in part because of its access to transportation, available workforce, real estate and power infrastructure, as well as tax policies and state and local incentives, officials said.

“North Carolina’s many competitive advantages as a business location shined brightly once again, and we welcome these new jobs and investment to our region” state Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, said in a statement.