A Victory for North Carolina’s Workers
North Carolina just scored a major economic win. Gillespie Precast, a family-owned company with a century of success, is planting roots in Randolph County with a $10 million manufacturing facility. This isn’t just a factory; it’s a lifeline for 39 families, offering jobs with an average salary of $64,154, well above the county’s $49,355 average. In a nation weary of government overreach, this private-sector triumph shows what happens when businesses, not bureaucrats, drive prosperity.
The announcement, made on April 17, 2025, in Asheboro, signals more than just local growth. It’s a testament to North Carolina’s pro-business environment, where a skilled workforce and minimal red tape attract companies like Gillespie. Unlike the bloated federal programs that often fizzle out, this project proves that targeted, performance-based incentives, paired with private initiative, deliver real results. The state’s manufacturing dominance in the Southeast isn’t an accident; it’s the fruit of policies that prioritize freedom and opportunity.
Yet, some voices in Washington and beyond will downplay this achievement. They’ll argue that only massive government spending can spark economic growth, pointing to trillion-dollar federal packages as the answer. But Gillespie’s move to Asheboro tells a different story: when government steps back and lets markets work, communities thrive. This isn’t theory; it’s 39 paychecks, a stronger tax base, and a ripple effect that will lift Randolph County for years to come.
What makes this deal even sweeter? It’s not a blank check from taxpayers. The $120,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund comes with strings attached: Gillespie must meet job creation and investment goals to see a dime. That’s accountability, not a handout. Compare that to the reckless megadeals elsewhere, where billions vanish into projects with no guaranteed return. North Carolina’s approach is a model for the nation.
The Power of Private Enterprise
Gillespie Precast’s decision to choose Asheboro wasn’t random. The company scouted multiple sites across Virginia and North Carolina, but Randolph County’s blend of infrastructure, workforce, and community values sealed the deal. Frank Sisk, Gillespie’s Director of Business Development, said it best: once they walked the property, they knew it was home. This is what happens when local governments focus on enabling businesses rather than strangling them with regulations.
Manufacturing plants like Gillespie’s do more than create jobs; they anchor entire economies. Data backs this up: every dollar spent in manufacturing generates up to $2.69 in additional economic activity. That’s money flowing to local suppliers, diners, and hardware stores. For every factory job, several more pop up in services, from trucking to retail. In rural areas like Randolph County, these plants are economic lifelines, offering stable, high-paying work that keeps communities intact.
Contrast this with the skeptics who claim manufacturing is a relic, better left to automation or overseas markets. They push for top-down policies that prioritize urban centers or green-energy boondoggles, ignoring the backbone of America’s economy. Manufacturing supports 13 million U.S. jobs and 10% of GDP. It’s not just numbers; it’s the dignity of work, the pride of building something tangible. Gillespie’s investment in precast concrete, a $150.2 billion industry projected to hit $247.5 billion by 2035, proves the sector’s staying power.
Critics might argue that incentives like the OneNC grant distort markets. But let’s be clear: not all incentives are equal. The historical record shows that poorly designed subsidies often waste money, shifting jobs between states without creating new ones. North Carolina’s performance-based model avoids that trap. Gillespie gets no upfront cash, and taxpayers aren’t on the hook unless the company delivers. This is government done right: limited, accountable, and focused on results.
A Smarter Path Forward
North Carolina’s success isn’t just about one company. It’s the culmination of state and local partnerships that leverage regional strengths. The North Carolina General Assembly, community colleges, and Randolph County’s Economic Development Corporation worked together to make this happen. Unlike the federal behemoths that drown in bureaucracy, these localized efforts are nimble and effective. They prove that economic growth doesn’t need a trillion-dollar stimulus; it needs clear priorities and collaboration.
Workforce development is another piece of the puzzle. With manufacturing facing a skills gap and a need for 3.8 million new workers by 2033, North Carolina’s community colleges are stepping up. Programs tied to companies like Gillespie ensure workers are trained for high-demand roles in precast concrete, robotics, and beyond. This isn’t government picking winners; it’s equipping people to seize opportunities in a free market.
Still, some will cling to the idea that only federal largesse can solve economic woes. They’ll tout programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, claiming it’s the key to growth. But those trillion-dollar packages often fund pet projects with little oversight, leaving taxpayers footing the bill. North Carolina’s targeted approach, rooted in local needs and private investment, delivers more bang for the buck. It’s a blueprint for other states to follow.
The precast concrete industry itself is a case study in innovation. With advancements like IoT sensors, 3D printing, and sustainable designs, companies like Gillespie are building the future. Their work supports critical infrastructure, from bridges to hospitals, proving that private enterprise can meet public needs without endless government intervention. This is the kind of progress that drives prosperity, not headlines.
The Road Ahead
Gillespie Precast’s new plant is more than a local win; it’s a signal to the nation. When businesses are free to innovate and invest, communities flourish. North Carolina’s model, with its emphasis on accountability, workforce training, and local partnerships, shows how to get it right. The 39 jobs in Randolph County are just the start. As the economic ripple effects spread, expect more businesses to take notice and follow suit.
America stands at a crossroads. We can double down on centralized, big-spending policies that erode fiscal health, or we can embrace the proven path of economic freedom. Gillespie’s investment in Asheboro is a vote for the latter. It’s a reminder that prosperity comes from empowering workers, businesses, and communities, not from Washington’s checkbook. Let’s build on this victory and make it the standard, not the exception.