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Ribbon cutting ceremony held at Hero
The 36,000-square-foot building is located at 1056 Global Drive in the Highway 378 Industrial Park, right behind Top Grill, LLC.
The Hero plant in Jiaxing City covers approximately 80 acres and employs more than 2,000 people. The Lincoln County facility is expected to create from 18 to 20 jobs. The new distribution center is a joint venture between the Hero Metal Furniture Company and Top Grill, which is owned by the Paul Faaborg family. Following the welcome given by George Leverett III, chairman of the Lincoln County Development Authority, Alana Burke, the authority's executive director, recognized special guests in attendance, including Michael Adams of the Georgia Department of Commerce; Heidi Green, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); and Representative Barry Fleming. In his remarks on Lincoln County's new industry, Rep. Fleming said, "When we go to Atlanta to pass laws and make appropriations to support economic development, this is exactly what we have in mind. What we're seeing today is the result of a lot of hard work on the part of local officials. Thank you, and I look forward to buying some furniture." Following Fleming on the program was Heidi Green with the GDEcD, who, on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue and GDEcD Commissioner Ken Stewart, congratulated Lincoln County on the acquisition of a new industry. She also thanked the members of the Faaborg family for the crucial role they played in bringing the Chinese distribution center to the county. She went to say, "Georgia has 1,700 international companies in the state, representing a total investment of $22 billion. The Chinese are relatively new investors in Georgia, and we want to do everything we can to welcome them and make them part of the Georgia family. I look forward to helping these partnerships grow." Green noted that 43 percent of the total container volume at the Port of Savannah originates in China. At this point in the program, Lincolnton Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff brought greetings to the Chinese visitors, thanking them for bringing valuable jobs to the county, and Chuck Beggs, a local businessman, spoke about how Lincolnton Feed & Seed has benefited from becoming a distributor for Top Grill. He also called the Faaborgs "great customers." "So many people do not shop locally, so when a new resident becomes a new customer, I feel doubly blessed," Beggs stated. Following Beggs on the program was Chris Faaborg, vice president of sales for Top Grill. He indicated that the word "synergy" sums up the Hero project. "The project was the result of synergy, a cooperative interaction that produces for the opportunity to do business in the friendliest city in Georgia." His remarks were met with applause. The next speaker was Shui Lin Xu, the president of Hero Metal Furniture Company. "We are very happy that Hero is opening today," Xu stated. "Opening a company in the United States is like a dream come true. I would like to thank the Faaborgs for their support and help, and thank you all for your support in the future. Maybe in three to five years, we can make Hero bigger in Georgia." His words were greeted with a round of applause. Concluding the program was Lincoln County Commission Chairman Walker Norman, who said, "Through cooperative working relationships between the city and county governments, along with the development authority, projects such as this become a reality. I look forward to a long, continuous working relationship with all involved - that's what makes it happen." The chairman recognized Johnny Spratlin, the general contractor for the Hero building; County Commissioner Darrell Henderson; consultants Kirby Glaze and Bill York; the Lincolnton- Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce; and various county employees. Xu then cut the ribbon to signal the opening of the new distribution center. The ceremony was followed by refreshments and tours of the Hero building. |
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