AVL's $56 Million Charlotte Investment Ignites a New Era of High-Wage Jobs for Working Families

AVL Manufacturing’s $56 million investment in Charlotte arrived like a long-awaited answer to a pressing need. With over 325 new jobs paying an average of $90,088, Mecklenburg County is poised for a transformative boost. Governor Josh Stein hailed this as proof of North Carolina’s manufacturing prowess, but the real story lies in the promise these jobs hold. They offer workers a chance to build stable, prosperous lives in a city ready to embrace opportunity. This moment signals more than economic growth; it marks a step toward fairness and shared success.

For years, job creation has been a hollow promise in too many places. Companies often bring low-wage, precarious positions that leave workers scraping by. AVL breaks that mold by offering high-paying, skilled roles in manufacturing enclosures for power generators. These positions provide the kind of security that lets families plan for college, buy homes, and thrive. In a country where economic divides deepen, such opportunities are vital. Why does this resonate? Because every worker deserves a career that fuels both personal dreams and community strength.

Charlotte’s selection wasn’t accidental. Vince DiCristofaro, AVL’s president, praised the city’s vibrant community and skilled workforce. His words reveal a key truth: businesses thrive where public investments, like North Carolina’s robust community colleges, create fertile ground. Charlotte’s collaborative spirit drew AVL to put down roots. The question now is how we ensure these gains reach every resident, from Steele Creek to beyond, building an economy that truly includes all.

AVL’s new facility owes part of its success to a $100,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, tied to creating 122 of those 325 jobs. This targeted support proves the value of public-private partnerships. By requiring companies to meet job and investment goals, the state ensures taxpayer dollars deliver measurable benefits. Research confirms this approach works best in high-unemployment areas, where local hires fill nearly half of new roles, boosting incomes and public services. Mecklenburg County’s economy will feel these ripple effects as AVL’s high-wage jobs strengthen local businesses and schools.

Some voices argue against such incentives, pushing for blanket tax cuts or deregulation instead. They claim free-market policies, like right-to-work laws or relaxed licensing, drive sustainable growth. Yet decades of evidence, from Mississippi’s 1930s incentive programs to today’s targeted grants, show strategic investments outperform broad deregulation. Tax cuts often enrich the wealthy while leaving workers exposed. Public support, as seen in AVL’s case, creates jobs that last. Why choose unproven theories over policies with proven results?

North Carolina’s strategy shines by blending incentives with workforce training. Community colleges, lauded by Governor Stein, equip workers with the digital and engineering skills AVL demands. Federal efforts, like the $525 million Good Jobs Challenge, train over 53,000 workers for skilled, high-paying roles while prioritizing equity. These programs ensure women, people of color, and low-income workers gain access to opportunities. AVL’s investment aligns with this vision, fostering careers that reflect Charlotte’s diverse community.

AVL’s enclosures for power generators, particularly for data centers, tap into a surging industry. From 2017 to 2023, U.S. data center jobs grew from 2.9 million to 4.7 million, contributing $727 billion to the economy. Regions like Northern Virginia have seen tax revenues soar, funding schools and infrastructure. Charlotte’s new facility positions North Carolina to share in this prosperity, with high-wage jobs that anchor families and communities. The focus on quality careers sets this project apart as a model for sustainable growth.

A looming 1.9 million-worker shortage in manufacturing by 2035, driven by automation and retirements, poses a challenge. AVL counters this by creating roles that require advanced skills, perfectly suited to North Carolina’s training programs. Recent state wins, like Genentech’s $700 million biomanufacturing plant and Toyota’s $8 billion EV battery expansion, highlight a clean tech boom. Federal policies, including the Inflation Reduction Act, have spurred $400 billion in manufacturing investments since 2020, bringing jobs back to the U.S. AVL’s choice of Charlotte over foreign markets underscores the power of these efforts.

Critics of incentives argue they favor big corporations or distort markets, advocating for energy deregulation or tax breaks instead. But without public investment, clean tech industries struggle to grow. The CHIPS Act and Inflation Reduction Act prove that targeted support reshapes economies, creating resilient supply chains and green jobs. AVL’s decision to invest in Charlotte shows the strength of this approach. Why turn away from policies that deliver both economic and environmental progress?

AVL’s impact will be measured not just in jobs, but in lives transformed. Representative Terry Brown, Jr., rightly called Steele Creek an economic engine. These 325 high-wage positions will bolster local businesses, improve schools, and uplift families. Yet we must go further. Job quality standards—living wages, comprehensive benefits, inclusive hiring—are essential to ensure public investments benefit everyone. Since the 1960s, advocates for workforce equity have pushed for these standards, and today’s policies, like wage floors and childcare support, build on that legacy. AVL’s careers are a strong start, but broader reforms are needed.

North Carolina stands at a crossroads. The state’s rise as a manufacturing leader, with over $15 billion in projects and 14,000 jobs since 2024, offers a chance to redefine prosperity. AVL’s investment, backed by thoughtful public policy, shows what’s possible when we prioritize workers and sustainability. This path forward demands careers that pay well, industries that protect our planet, and opportunities that reach every community. Let’s seize this moment to build an economy where no one is left behind, and every family thrives.