Beverly Eaves Perdue  

Governor

State of North Carolina

Office of the Governor

20301 Mail Service Center • Raleigh, NC 27699-0301

March 26, 2010

Contact: Chrissy Pearson

Office: (919) 733-5612        

National Bakery to Bring 38 Jobs, $4.5 Million Investment to Surry County 

State Grant Helps Harvest Time Bread Expand in Mount Airy

RALEIGH – Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Harvest Time Bread of North Carolina LLC, a national baker for the grocery and food service industries, will expand its operations in Surry County.  The company plans to invest $4.5 million and create 38 jobs during the next three years in Mount Airy.  The announcement was made possible in part by a $100,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“North Carolina continues to attract companies looking for the perfect location to invest and create jobs,” Gov. Perdue said.  “Our skilled workforce and top-rated business climate provide an ideal foundation for companies looking to expand.  Creating jobs continues to be my top priority.”

Harvest Time Bread of North Carolina is a wholly owned subsidiary of Harvest Time Bread Co., headquartered in New Jersey.  The company, which produces a wide variety of breads, rolls, whole grain and organic products, operates a bakery in New Jersey and one in Mount Airy, which employs 86 people.

Harvest Time Bread, which leases a facility in Mount Airy, plans to purchase that plant and expand operations and products to better serve the Southeastern U.S. market.  While wages will vary by job function, the 38 new positions will pay an annual average wage of $25,790, not including benefits.     

“Before deciding on purchase of the site, Harvest Time explored opportunities in five states.  We were looking for a qualified labor source, proximity to truck transportation routes, affordable utilities and a business-friendly environment,” said Rich Paolino, CEO of Harvest Time.  “Through the assistance and consistent attention of state and local officials, staying here and expanding in Mount Airy became an easy decision.”

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance through local governments to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state.  Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.  These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate.  Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state will work aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain our workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.

Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001.  Other project partners include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Piedmont Triad Partnership, Surry County, Surry County Economic Development Partnership, City of Mount Airy and Surry Community College.

For information on job opportunities with the company, contact N.C. Employment Security Commission, Mount Airy Office, 541 West Pine St., Mount Airy, N.C., 27030-4437, phone (336) 786-4169.

For more information on Harvest Time Bread Co., go to: www.harvesttimebread.com/.

###