Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

COFIELD – Supported primarily by private investment along with a state grant, a Hertford County business has announced plans to expand.

Due to demand from its clients, Structural Coatings Hertford, LLC is moving forward with a project that will expand its production, distribution and warehousing facility, which is expected to add 35 new jobs.

These new positions will have an average annual salary of $53,608 and the company’s capital investment is estimated at $8,200,000.

Structural Coatings Hertford is a privately owned company based in from Clayton, NC which provides steel coating primarily for shipbuilding and the U.S. Department of Defense. The business has been in operation in Hertford County since 2011 and currently employs 59 full-time workers.

As part the company’s expansion plans, it worked with Hertford County local government to gain their support of a resolution that called for the North Carolina Department of Commerce / Rural Infrastructure Authority to approve an Existing Business Building grant. Eligible projects within that category include the renovation of buildings occupied by a resident company for at least 12 months in a priority industry, primarily manufacturing or distribution.

On June 20, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority approved nine grant requests for local governments totaling $2,941,000. Among those grants was $280,000 to support the expansion of a building occupied by Structural Coatings Hertford, LLC.

“North Carolina’s rural communities are excellent places to live, work, and do business,” said Gov. Stein. “The latest rural infrastructure grants strengthen these communities even more by helping to create jobs, access to health care, and strengthen downtowns.”

“We are excited by the opportunities to partner with our state’s rural communities through these infrastructure grant projects,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “These investments will help rural North Carolina grow jobs, expand opportunity, and improve people’s quality of life.”

The news of the state grant being applied to the expansion plans at Structural Coatings was well received by Hertford County local government officials.

“I am proud to support the expansion of Structural Coatings,” stated Andre Lassiter, Chairman of the Hertford County Board of Commissioners. “This initiative represents more than just technological growth as it’s a step toward creating real opportunities for our residents. This investment in people will help drive innovation, attract new industries, and uplift our communities for generations to come.”

The Structural Coatings expansion is so important for the economic growth of Hertford County. Structural Coatings is a success story and a great manufacturing partner to Hertford County Economic Development,” said Kelly Bowers, the county’s Economic Development Director.

Structural Coatings, Inc. has been operating in North Carolina since 1989. It is one of the largest coating and blast cleaning companies in the entire Southeast. The company specializes in liquid applied coatings, fireproofing and metallizing. With advanced equipment and facilities, Structural Coatings has the ability to handle large pieces of steel up to 150 feet and 100,000 pounds.