A solar panel manufacturer wants to expand and add jobs in Cabarrus County just as the state is looking to position itself as a national leader in alternative energy production.
SBM Solar Inc. in Concord has asked the county for an economic development grant to expand from four to 16 employees, with an average annual salary of $40,000. The company plans to add up to 60 jobs in the next three years.
SBM Solar recently received a $100,000 grant from the state to help produce solar roofing for commercial and residential buildings. The company has petitioned the Cabarrus County Board of
Commissioners for an economic development grant totaling $20,884.50 over a three-year period on the company's $1.3 million investment.
Commissioners tabled the request at their last meeting on Nov. 16 because there was some concern among the commissioners about extending an economic development grant to a business that plans to rent and not to build in the county.
Typically grants are made in new or renovated structures that add to the county's tax base. SBM Solar Inc. has requested a grant based on the equipment and machinery that will be located at 379 Central Drive in Concord.
The facility the company plans to move into adds about 22,000 square feet to their manufacturing operation. A company spokesperson told commissioners that SBM Solar Inc. has plans to eventually purchase and expand the facility to 57,000 square feet.
In 2008, North Carolina's solar installations grew more than six-fold, making North Carolina one of the nation's leaders in solar power capacity, according to Environment North Carolina, a statewide citizen-based environmental advocacy organization. The group recently organized an event to discuss North Carolina's potential as a solar energy leader.
Earlier this month, N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue announced more than $1.8 million grants to small businesses to help develop and market green and alternative energy technologies and products. SBM Solar Inc. received one of the $100,000 grants.
The economy development grant will be discussed again at the Cabarrus County commissioners December meeting on Dec. 21.
Editor's note: Comments for this story have been disabled because they have gone off topic.
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