Major Economic Boost for Western NC: Eco King Solutions Brings 515 Jobs to Graham County

RALEIGH, NC – Governor Josh Stein today announced a significant economic boost for Western North Carolina, as Eco King Solutions, LLC, a new subsidiary of a prominent international manufacturer, plans to create 515 jobs and invest $80.5 million in Graham County. The company will establish its first North American production facility in Robbinsville, focusing on disposable, biodegradable paper tableware.

"North Carolina offers global companies a perfect location for expansion into North America," said Governor Josh Stein. "We welcome Eco King to Western North Carolina, where it will find a welcoming business climate, education and workforce programs tailored to its needs, and the full range of competitive advantages that make North Carolina the top state to do business in the country."

Eco King Solutions is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Zhejiang Kingsun Eco-pack Co., Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer founded in 2008 with three high-capacity factories in China employing approximately 1,200 people. The company specializes in disposable dishware, including bowls, plates, clamshell containers, and trays, serving a growing customer base in North America. This strategic expansion to Robbinsville aims to localize production, improve supply chain efficiency, and reduce international shipping costs and production lead times.

Ping Zhang, Chairman of Eco King Solutions, expressed enthusiasm for the new location. "We have been impressed by how welcoming Robbinsville, Graham County, and North Carolina have been to our company and this important project," said Zhang. "We worked very hard to find the right location for our business to thrive. We know we found it right here due to the excellent workforce, quality of life, and friendly business climate. We are excited to be a part of the community, and we are excited for our company to prosper here."

Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley underscored the importance of this investment for the region. "This investment is a success story for manufacturing in Western North Carolina, where folks work hard to make great products," said Lilley. "Whether it’s CNBC naming us the top state for business or investments from CEOs around the world, North Carolina continues to be a global destination for great job creation."

The 515 new jobs will offer an average annual salary of $46,707, aligning with Graham County’s average wage of $46,628, and are projected to generate an annual payroll impact of more than $14 million for the community.

The project is supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee. Over its 12-year term, the grant is estimated to contribute over $743.4 million to the state’s economy. The JDIG agreement authorizes potential reimbursement to Eco King Solutions of up to $2,894,000, spread over 12 years, based on new tax revenues generated by 300 of the new jobs and the company's capital investment. State payments are contingent upon performance verification by the Departments of Commerce and Revenue, ensuring the company meets its job creation and investment targets. The project's projected return on investment of public dollars is 106 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost, the state expects to receive $2.06 in state revenue.

Local leaders also celebrated the announcement. "A major economic development win like today’s announcement provides proof that Robbinsville and Graham County are great places to do business," said Senator Kevin Corbin. "We’re proud that Eco King chose us for their first North American factory, and we will do everything we can to help them be successful in Western North Carolina."

Representative Karl E. Gillespie added, "I am very excited for Robbinsville. The company will be establishing its first manufacturing facility in North America in Graham County. It’s another strong example of why North Carolina was recently named the #1 State in the nation to do business. This project is expected to bring new jobs, boost our local economy, and improve the quality of life in our community."

This significant development is the result of a collaborative effort involving the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the Commerce Department’s Divisions of Workforce Solutions and Rural Economic Development, Duke Energy, the Town of Robbinsville, Graham County, the Southwestern Commission, and the Mountain West Partnership.