Old North News

Canadian manufacturer Opsun Corporation is set to invest $9.3 million to establish its first U.S. production facility in High Point, Guilford County, North Carolina. The initiative is expected to create 20 new jobs in the area, adding to the state's manufacturing workforce.

Governor Josh Stein underscored the significance of the investment, stating, “This announcement is yet another illustration of how much companies want to do business in North Carolina. Our skilled workforce, commitment to sustainability, and convenient East Coast location continues to attract global manufacturers like Opsun Corporation. I am proud of North Carolina’s continued commitment to our clean energy economy, and I am excited to welcome Opsun to our state.”

Opsun Corporation, based in Quebec City, specializes in the design and manufacture of aluminum solar panel mounting structures. The upcoming facility in High Point will be Opsun's third manufacturing site and is intended to enhance operational efficiency and expand warehouse space.

François Gilles-Gagnon, President of Opsun Corporation, expressed enthusiasm for the new venture, "We’re thrilled to open our first US-base factory in such a booming economic and strategic center. This new facility will be a key to Opsun’s growth in the USA, and together with our North Carolina workforce and local suppliers, we will help drive the growth of solar installations across the state and throughout the United States."

Lee Lilley, N.C. Commerce Secretary, highlighted the state's strategic advantages, noting, “In addition to our manufacturing workforce of nearly 470,000 North Carolinians, our state is within a day’s drive of 170 million people. As the fourth largest state for installed solar energy capacity, Opsun is a great addition to North Carolina’s clean energy supply chain and we’re confident that they will be in great company in Guilford County.”

The new positions at Opsun's facility will offer an average annual salary of $63,015, surpassing the county's average of $60,195, and are anticipated to result in an annual payroll impact of over $1.2 million.

Support for Opsun's location selection is bolstered by a performance-based grant of $40,000 from the One North Carolina Fund. This fund aids local governments in attracting economic investment and job creation. Phil Berger, N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore, commented, “These new jobs are a great addition to Guilford County and the entire state of North Carolina. The manufacturing workforce and accessible talent in the region are second to none, and we know Opsun will have a prosperous future here.”

Contributions to this project come from various partners, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and local educational and economic organizations.