Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010

After Cary passes, Durham OKs lure

City offers company $70,000 in incentives

The British manufacturing company that got little love from Cary economic development officials is being courted by two other Triangle counties.

The Durham City Council approved offering $70,000 in incentives on Tuesday night to attract ACW Technology, which has been scouting the region - and two other states - to build a new factory.

ACW wants to create 155 jobs by the end of 2013 paying an average of $33,000 per year, Durham officials said.

The company also is being courted by Wake and Franklin counties, said Durham economic development director Kevin Dick.

Cary officials declined to offer a similar deal to the company last month, ACW consultant Jeff Benes confirmed. But the rejection may not have taken Cary out of the running.

"There are many, many factors that come into play when selecting a site," Benes said. "Nothing's been decided yet."

Some Cary council members worried about lowering the town's median salary, which hovers just under $47,000 per person.

Council members also were concerned about how quickly the town would see a return on its investment.

ACW is a contract manufacturer for international commercial, aerospace and defense customers.

It wants to build a plant close to U.S. suppliers and clients, Durham officials said.

The manufacturer also is considering sites in Maryland and Virginia, but is waiting for the competing states to announce any other matching grants, Benes said. N.C. Commerce Department spokesman Charles Winkler declined to comment on whether the state is in discussions with ACW. Ken Atkins, director of Wake County Economic Development, also declined to comment.

Franklin County is considering an offer of $150,000 in incentives, which the state could match, Dick said.

While Franklin's incentive is bigger, Durham has advantages with its airport, interstate highways and amenities for visiting clients, he added.

Durham Chamber of Commerce vice president Ted Conner said the company would bring Durham "well-paying manufacturing jobs paying a living wage."

Staff writer Alan M. Wolf contributed to this report.