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Published Thu, May 27, 2010 05:44 AM
Modified Wed, May 26, 2010 08:55 PM

Yarn factory growing in Lee

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A Sanford-based yarn company plans to expand its local factory and add 45 jobs over five years, a rare bit of positive news for Lee County.

Frontier Spinning Mills' plans for the $15.5 million expansion include installing new equipment that spins cotton into yarn faster. The company, which opened in 1996, employs more than 1,100 people in North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, including more than 300 in Sanford.

City and county officials promised Frontier a grant worth more than $300,000 if it meets its hiring goals, said Lee County Economic Development director Bob Heuts.

The announcement follows the news earlier this month that Pfizer will eliminate 400 jobs at its Sanford vaccine plant over the next five years.

Lee County had an unemployment rate of 13.2 percent in March.

Staff writer Alan M. Wolf

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