Workers, dogs, and officials from across the state have gathered for the grand opening of this new Nestle Purina PetCare factory in Eden. Rockingham County resident Loticia Woods is a materials manager at the facility and is happy to be back in the building after working here when it was a brewery.
“Some of the walls look similar but all the inner workings are much different,” said Woods.
Officials with Purina say with growing demand this was a near-perfect spot to set up operations because of its central location on the East Coast.
“When we announced this project back in September of 2020, we were confident that we were making a great decision because of the warm welcome made by the Eden community, both residents and stakeholders alike,” said Nolan Terry, Chief Technical Officer at Purina.
Leigh Cockram, Director of Economic Development and Tourism for Rockingham County, says the $450 million operation is the largest in the county to date.
“To have over 300 sustaining well above average wage of Rockingham County jobs here, I mean the premiere employer in Rockingham County is Nestle Purina,” said Cockram.
Senator Phil Berger says North Carolina’s workforce availability is what makes it so business-friendly and will help fill this 1.3 million square foot facility with workers and equipment.
“The workforce that they have found here in Rockingham County has been something that will make this facility the number one facility in their 23 manufacturing facilities around the nation,” said Berger.
Purina officials say they are hiring and anyone interested can go to their company website to apply.