Global coatings giant PPG has announced plans to build a $380 million factory just to the west of Charlotte in Shelby, returning its brand to Cleveland County for the first time since the 1950s.
The project will create 110 new jobs, with an average salary of $66,861, significantly above Cleveland County’s current average wage of $48,310.
PPG will construct a 198,000-square-foot plant on a 62-acre site, producing its full line of aerospace coatings and sealants used in commercial, general aviation, and military aircraft.
“PPG knows what I know: North Carolina is the #1 state for manufacturing in the Southeast,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “Our state’s workforce is our greatest asset, and I will continue to advocate for more training and education programs so that employees can build a career and employers have the well-trained people they need to get to work.”
Construction is expected to begin in October 2025, with operations launching in 2027.
The state will support the project with a $300,000 performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund, based on the creation of 62 jobs and a capital investment of $221.8 million. All grant funds are contingent on local matching contributions and job creation benchmarks.
PPG, a Fortune 500 company operating in more than 70 countries, reported $15.8 billion in net sales in 2024.
This new Shelby plant will strengthen its aerospace division, which provides coatings, sealants, and materials to OEMs, airlines, and military maintenance operations worldwide.
