The company will invest nearly $5.7 million in the facility, to be located in Goldsboro.
Michael Aram, Inc., founded by award-winning artist Michael Aram, is a privately held company that creates beautiful and distinctive objects. Mr. Aram is most recognized for his signature gift and tabletop offerings in metal.
However, he also designs and produces large-scale sculptures, furniture, lighting, home fragrance, textiles, porcelain, and fine jewelry. Aram splits his time between his workshop in India and his New York City studio.
Aram’s work is sold in over 60 countries through his Los Angeles and New York City flagship stores, as well as department stores and specialty retailers.
Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but the average annual wage will be $35,620, in line with the Wayne County average annual wage of $35,485.
A performance-based grant of $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Michael Aram, Inc.’s new operation in North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs.
Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.
The company will also benefit from a grant recently awarded by the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority. This grant, formally awarded to Wayne County on October 17, will support the reuse of a 234,972-square-foot building in Goldsboro.
In addition to North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, Duke Energy, North Carolina’s Southeast, Wayne County, the City of Goldsboro, and the Wayne County Development Alliance. ■
A Fall heatwave will continue into the weekend over portions of the Desert Southwest and central/southern California as a persistent trend of upper-ridging over the region remains in place.