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County approves incentives to keep Granite Falls Composites locally owned after management buyout
Summary
The board approved performance‑based grants to preserve 70 full‑time jobs and incentivize 30 new hires after a local management buyout that kept Granite Falls Composites in Caldwell County.
The Caldwell County Board of Commissioners approved Aug. 11 a pair of performance‑based grants to support Granite Falls Composites following a management buyout completed in July 2025.
Jamie Little and Melissa Curtis, who completed a management buyout and are the company’s primary stakeholders, told commissioners they acted to keep roughly 100 jobs local after the previous owner moved to divest the operation. Jesse Trivette of Caldwell County Economic Development said the advisory committee recommended incentives under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 158‑7.1 to both preserve and expand employment at the Granite Falls facility.
Under the proposed agreement the company committed to retain 70 full‑time positions at its 3908 Hickory Boulevard facility for a 12‑month verification period. The county will offer a performance‑based retention grant of $1,000 per retained job, up to a maximum of $70,000, payable after the 12‑month retention is verified. Trivette said the grant is a reimbursement and requires no upfront county payment.
Separately, Granite Falls Composites agreed to create 30 new full‑time jobs by July 30, 2026. For job creation the county offered a performance‑based grant of $2,000 per new job, up to $60,000, again payable after the company meets the creation benchmarks and verification. County staff clarified the agreements are structured in one combined contract; retained jobs and the new‑job benchmarks must be maintained throughout the agreement period or funds are subject to recapture.
The board opened a public hearing on the package; no speakers were signed up. A motion to accept the EDC recommendation and execute the agreement carried unanimously.
County staff said the incentive funds come from the sales tax reinvestment fund and that the agreements require the company to remain current on county taxes and fees while meeting the retention and creation benchmarks. Commissioner comments at the meeting highlighted the local ownership, the effort to save existing jobs and the county’s role in supporting locally owned employers.
