Charlotte lands another 520 jobs and HQ. And 125 more jobs go to the suburbs
A subsidiary of Maersk, a Denmark-based shipping and logistics company, is moving its headquarters to Charlotte, promising 520 jobs in a $16-million expansion.
This is the second big jobs announcement for Charlotte in the past week. Scout Motors said last week it was moving its headquarters to Charlotte and bringing with it over 1,200 high-paying jobs in a $207 million investment.
Also on Tuesday on the jobs front, the state said Charlotte-based Paragon Site Solutions plans to bring 125 jobs to Gastonia for a new concrete plant.
As for Maersk, Charlotte will now be its North American headquarters, Gov. Josh Stein announced. Maersk’s U.S. headquarters is currently in northern New Jersey, near New York City.
Maersk is a major global shipping and logistics company that moves products around the world. It has about 100,000 employees in over 130 countries, including around 670 in Mecklenburg County.
The two finalists for the expansion were Charlotte and Atlanta. Maersk said labor market, transportation infrastructure, the overall business climate, and economic incentives went into its choice of Charlotte.
The company plans to hire positions in areas of logistics and supply, finance, legal, customer experience, human resources, business support and operations. Several roles will not require a college degree.
“I’m proud to welcome Maersk to the growing list of global companies that call Charlotte home,” said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.
Stein said Maersk’s decision for Charlotte speaks to the state’s reputation as top destination for global business.
Maersk expands Charlotte operations, adds HQ
Charlotte has been an important part of the company’s story for more than two decades, according to Charles van der Steene, president of Maersk’s North America Region.
The company bought its current space in South Charlotte in 2006. Maersk’s new headquarters in Charlotte will have corporate functions such as finance, human resources, strategy and technology.
“The city’s strong infrastructure and talented workforce have helped drive our growth over the years,” he said in a news release.
About the NC deal to land Maersk
Maersk Agency USA is the recipient of the job development investment grant North Carolina awarded during an Economic Investment Committee meeting Tuesday.
The company committed to add 520 jobs to its Charlotte headquarters by the end of 2028 at an average salary of at least $100,963.
Maersk will add to its current Charlotte-based workforce over the next several years, ultimately bringing its Charlotte workforce to more than 1,300, Stein’s office said.
Using a formula with new tax revenues generated by the new jobs and capital investment, the grant has potential reimbursement to the company up to $7.9 million over 12 years.
And the projected return on investment of public money is 67%. This means for every dollar of potential cost to the state, North Carolina is receiving $1.67 in state revenue.
Company brings 125 jobs to Gastonia in $102M deal
FIT Precast, an industrial concrete product manufacturer, is investing $102 million to build its new headquarters and concrete pipe production facility in Gastonia, Stein’s office announced Tuesday.
Paragon Site Solutions is listed as the guarantor of the state incentive.
The new company will produce precast concrete and piping products for stormwater management, transportation, and utility construction for infrastructure-related projects.
FIT Precast will build a 154,000-square-foot facility for administrative and manufacturing operations on a 72-acre site off South US- 21, according to the Gaston County Economic Development Commission. The facility will be annexed into the city of Gastonia.
“This project is another example of Gastonia’s continued momentum in attracting advanced manufacturing and high-quality jobs,” said Mayor Richard Franks.
Local incentives being offered from Gaston County and Gastonia combined total nearly $1.9 million. The company also looked at other sites in the state, Tennessee and South Carolina before landing on Gastonia. FIT Precast’s parent company Paragon, would have to retain 420 employees in Charlotte.
FIT Precast President Matt Goreski said demand for American-made infrastructure has never been greater.
Goreski added that the Gaston County EDC and the state went above and beyond to secure the project, and he expressed thanks for FIT Precast’s new home.
The prototype plant is expected to create jobs with salaries averaging $102,168, significantly exceeding the Gaston County average of $52,180.
FIT Precast also landed a JDIG approved by the state on Tuesday. Using a formula based on new tax revenues generated by the new jobs and capital investment, the grant could potentially reimburse the company up to $2.3 million over 12 years.
This story was originally published November 18, 2025 at 10:56 AM.