Houston-based wire company to invest $194 million, create 333 jobs in Chatham County – Business North Carolina

A Houston-based manufacturer of power transmission cables will invest $193.7 million in a production facility that is expected to create 333 jobs in Chatham County. The yet-to-be-formed unit of MetOx International expects to complete its investment by the end of 2029 and begin hiring in 2027. The entity will be formed upon final site selection for the project.

MetOx is a leader in high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technology. Its products are able to transmit extremely high power at low voltage with zero heat generation or energy loss. Its products are used in AI-driven applications and data centers, next-generation wind turbines, motors and generators for clean aviation and aerospace, advanced defense systems and magnetic confinement fusion energy.

MetOx’s project in Chatham County will be to make the company’s Xeus HTS wire, which can make transmission cables 10 times more efficient than traditional copper cables, according to a release.

“Establishing our new large-scale manufacturing facility in Chatham County is a pivotal step toward securing a reliable, domestic supply of HTS wire for the development of critical infrastructure in the United States,” says MetOx CEO Bud Vos in a statement. “This facility will not only deliver transformative energy technologies that strengthen our grid and reduce carbon emissions but also create high-paying manufacturing jobs in a community eager to lead in innovation. We are proud to partner with North Carolina to drive forward a resilient energy future built on cutting-edge science and strong local collaboration.”

The average salary for the new positions will be $75,132 a year. The current average wage in Chatham County stands at $48,413. North Carolina’s average wage is $65,409. The new positions are expected to bring more than $25 million of annual payroll growth to the region, according to the state.

The state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier Tuesday approved a Job Development Investment Grant of up to almost $3.2 million over 12 years if MetOx hits job and investment targets. Chatham County incentives total $5.7 million extra.

The project is expected to grow the state’s economy by almost $988 million. The project’s projected return of investment is 75%, meaning for every dollar of potential cost, the state expects $1.75 in state revenue.

MetOx spent almost a year performing site selection for the project and also considered Houston, and other qualifying sites in Ohio, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and South Carolina. Key requirements for locating in Chatham County included available workers, a demonstrated successful history of partnerships between public, private and academic entities, competitive utility costs, real estate pricing and regulatory and tax environment, among other factors.