Spartacraft Receives Building Reuse Grant to Aid in Business Expansion

Company Will Convert Warehouse Space into Manufacturing Space and Add 12 Jobs BURKE COUNTY, N.C. (August 27, 2012) – Burke County company SpartaCraft, which produces specialty wood products, has received a $60,000 Building Reuse and Restoration Grant from the NC Rural Center to aid in an expansion at their current facility located in Connelly Springs. The grant funds and expansion will help create 12 new jobs at the company. Spartacraft Custom WoodWorks produces Military and Veteran flag and memorabilia display cases, custom cabinetry, furniture and home theaters, and also provide custom finishing services for furniture companies. For the past six years the company, which currently has 26 employees, has experienced an 85 percent increase in sales resulting in the need for more manufacturing space. “This is a great program from the NC Rural Center,” said SpartaCraft President Don Clark. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with the County and BDI on this grant. The project to improve our facility involves a big investment on our part and the grant has helped us get to a point where we can carry out the project. Without it we probably wouldn’t be doing the improvements and these new jobs wouldn’t exist.” SpartaCraft is a 50 year old company that was relocated to Burke County over 15 years ago and has been at its current facility for the past 10 years. The building was originally constructed in 1932 when it was the Icard Cordage Company. “Spartacraft has been operating here and committed to Burke County for many years,” said Burke County Board of Commissioners Chairman Wayne Abele. “I’m glad we were able to work together to help them secure the grant, which will create more jobs for Burke County citizens.” Burke Development, Inc. (BDI), the county’s economic development organization; the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG); and Burke County all partnered with SpartaCraft to secure the grant funds. “BDI appreciates the strong economic development support on this project from Senator Warren Daniel and Representative Hugh Blackwell,” said BDI President Scott Darnell. “Converting the space will allow us to increase production capacity to better serve our customers,” continued Clark. “The additional volume creates opportunities for us to create jobs and we are very excited that we’ll be able to hire a dozen more people through the end of the year as we make these improvements.” About Burke Development, Inc. Burke Development, Inc. (BDI) is a nonprofit organization supported by private and public funding that is charged with accelerating economic growth in Burke County. BDI works with industry leaders, site selection consultants, government agencies and other entities to facilitate expansion strategies for existing businesses and recruit target industries to Burke County. For more information about BDI visit www.BurkeDevInc.com. About Spartacraft SpartaCraft, Inc. manufacturers the finest heirloom-quality wood products available today. From Flag and Display cases for our nation’s veteran heroes to custom high-end Cabinets and Millwork, our craftsmen put the same pride and attention to detail into every Spartacraft product to make sure it will be treasured for generations. For more information, visit www.spartacraft.com or call 1-800-282-8044.

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Contact: Sara Chester 828.674.3141