Partnership results in anchor tenant, 263 new jobs in Henderson County
In 2020, a partnership between several economic development entities helped bring quality jobs to a new industrial park in Henderson County.
“The Economic Investment Fund of Henderson County and the Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development had the strategic vision to create an industrial park that would bring capital investment and quality jobs to the area,” said Brittany Brady, President and CEO of Henderson County Partnership for Economic Development.
The partnership, including the county and the city, worked together to purchase the property at the park and to find funding for the needed infrastructure to help locate an anchor tenant.
In December 2020, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $506,758.59 to the City of Hendersonville to extend public water to Garrison Industrial Park. Funding was also obtained for public sewer and a road.
As a result of all the partners working together, Jabil, Inc. was recruited to the park as its anchor tenant.
“An anchor tenant in an industrial park is paramount to its success, demonstrating the kind of success other manufacturers could have in the area,” said Brady. “The recruitment of Jabil manufacturing to not only Henderson County, but to the newly minted Garrison Industrial Park, exemplified our community’s ability to continue to grow in the midst of the pandemic and related economic challenges.”
Jabil, Inc. is the largest global manufacturing solutions provider in the healthcare industry. At the Henderson County site, the company manufactures injection molded components that are used in the healthcare industry.
“Our workforce was ready and willing, providing Jabil, Inc. another reason to make the decision to locate here,” said Brady. “Adding high paying, quality jobs to the economy means a higher standard of living for all.”
Jabil, Inc. pledged to create 150 new jobs over five years, paying an average annual wage of $39,867. By September 2024, Jabil, Inc. had created 263 new jobs at an average wage of $54,057, significantly exceeding the job creation and wage goals.
“Certain due diligence is necessary to make an industrial park and its sites desirable,” said Brady. “Reliable infrastructure is the first thing that future tenants look for in an industrial park.”
Brady attributes the success of economic development projects to partnerships.
“This project was born of collaboration,” said Brady. “Without the will and desire to work together for the greater good of the community, transformative projects like this one simply do not happen. Economic development, as a whole, relies on trust and partners with a shared vision.”
