Old North News

Today, Governor Josh Stein disclosed that Gillespie Precast intends to set up a manufacturing facility in Randolph County. This initiative is expected to generate 39 new jobs, with the company investing $10 million in Asheboro.

“North Carolina offers manufacturing companies like Gillespie Precast an outstanding place to do business,” stated Governor Stein. “We’re the number one manufacturing state in the Southeast thanks to our skilled, well-trained workforce.”

Gillespie Precast, a family-owned company based in Chestertown, Maryland, specializes in producing concrete products for various industrial applications. Their new facility in Randolph County will manufacture precast concrete wet and dry utility vaults, manholes, catch basins, and other custom structures. The setup aims to enhance services for customers across the northeast, mid-Atlantic, and southern North American markets.

“The executive team targeted several sites both in Virginia and North Carolina for possible expansion,” said Frank Sisk, Director of Business Development for Gillespie Precast. “The search led us to Asheboro, and once we walked the property, we knew this was going to be the place we would establish our southern base of operations.”

“The Gillespie family has been successful for over a century by providing quality products to the markets we serve,” Sisk added. “But it has been the exceptional service we provide our contractor partners that sets us apart from the competition. We believe that North Carolina and Randolph County, in particular, share the same foundational principles of family, quality, and service to our communities as Gillespie Precast, and we look forward to being a generational benefit to the state.”

According to North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, “Manufacturers like Gillespie Precast create durable, family-sustaining jobs in communities large and small. With our infrastructure, workforce, and state and local partnerships, manufacturers can find the right place to invest and create jobs in North Carolina.”

The new positions are expected to have an average salary of $64,154, which is higher than the current average wage in Randolph County of $49,355.

Gillespie Precast NC LLC will benefit from a $120,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The fund assists local governments in attracting economic investment and job creation. Companies do not receive funds upfront and must meet job creation and investment objectives to qualify for payout. All grants require a local government matching grant.

"We enthusiastically welcome Gillespie Precast to Asheboro and Randolph County, we believe this company will experience remarkable success in our community," declared N.C. Representative Neal Jackson. "These employment opportunities and private-sector investment will further invigorate our region's economy."

“Successful economic development projects take sustained and focused effort from a wide variety of state, regional, and local partners,” stated N.C. Senator David Craven, Jr. “I appreciate the hard work from the great folks that helped us reach today’s great announcement from Gillespie Precast, and we will continue to support the company as they establish operations in Randolph County.”

The project has seen collaboration between the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the Commerce Department’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Randolph County, and the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation.