Stallings manufacturer to expand: ‘Union County was committed to keeping us here’
The leaders of Stallings-based SteelPoint, Micheal “Mick” and Deborah Edwards say they’re proud to be in the Union County town and they’ll keep it that way with a little help.
The manufacturer of heavy-duty trailers has been in Union County for 13 years. An $822,500 incentive grant over five years from the Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission will ensure they’ll stay even longer. SteelPoint is using the money to add a 100,000 square-foot production facility by the existing building on Beltway Boulevard near U.S. 74. by the end of 2024. Officials noted that an investment up to $35 million is anticipated with the project.
About 90 people are employed at the facility, and the expansion project will bring another 25 jobs paying an average of $25 per hour.
“In a town like Stallings, it’s very important to make sure you get industrial places in this location,” said Mick Edwards whose official title is chief executive officer. “It’s not just about putting up apartment buildings. It’s good for the local community that you have a company that helps with progress.”
It wasn’t always a certainty Steelpoint would stay put.
The Edwardses looked at vacant properties and existing buildings around Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston and York counties. They started looking for land before the pandemic, which would eventually delay their search and result in higher prices.
“While our company is growing, it seems like all of those prices are going up faster than what we can catch up to,” said Deborah, senior vice president and chief administrative officer. “Union County was committed to keeping us here and this helps do that.”
They purchased a piece of property adjacent to the current location at 200 Beltway Blvd. in Stallings for the expansion.
Union County commissioners Vice Chair Melissa Merrell, who supported giving the incentives during a September vote, said the company has provided strong career opportunities since 2010.
“Their decision to grow here proves Union County has one of the best business environments in North Carolina and we are proud to provide our support through the economic development incentive grant,” Merrell said in a news release.
The company’s modern history dates back to 2010, when Mick Edwards sold his rental and equipment service business and purchased one of its small vendors “as a turnaround opportunity,” the company’s website says. He brought his vision of turning SteelPoint, which was formerly named MMDi, into a high-end trailer manufacturer. After retiring from her career, Deborah Edwards joined Mick in 2016.
The Edwardses have lived in the area for about 40 years and met in graduate school at Wake Forest University.
Union County’s economic development work
Members of the county’s economic development team began working with SteelPoint more than a year ago.
Chris Platé, executive director of the economic development commission, said the organization provide companies help with matters such as workforce training and being the liaison for permit processes with state and municipal government officials.
“We provide a lot of help to save them time and money so they can get back to what they’re doing — making products and hiring people,” Platé said.
Since July 2022, there have been seven expansion projects in Union County totaling $157.65 million. Along with SteelPoint, the companies are AquaLogic, Coca-Cola Bottling, ATI Special Materials American Wick Drain, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry - Plastics Division and Pilgrim’s. Big or small, bringing companies to Union County is big for business, Platé said.
“Industrial recruitment provides high-paying jobs locally and offsets the demands associated with residential development, so Union County can provide superior K-12 schools and other government services to our residents while retaining an affordable tax rate,” he said.
And for local businesses like SteelPoint, it’s meaningful when officials who control the public’s pocketbook commit to give incentives..
“It’s great to go out and recruit companies, but sometimes you have diamonds already existing that you need to help nurture,” Mick Edwards said. “And that’s what they’ve done.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
