HERTFORD CO., N.C. — U.S. Forged Rings, a manufacturer of steel components, announced a major investment plan for Hertford County on Thursday.
The announcement was made at Roanoke Chowan Community College Thursday.
$875 million will be invested to create a large steel manufacturing facility, something U.S. Forged Rings said would be the largest economic development project in the county's history. The current plan is for the factory to be located along the Chowan River due to the facility needing water access.
The steel components produced by U.S. Forged Rings are used across many different markets, including mining, defense, and power generation.
"Today is about progress," Hertford County Board of Commissioners Chairman Andre Lassiter said at the announcement.
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News 3 stopped by Highway 55 Burgers Shakes & Fries in Ahoskie to talk with our neighbors about the announcement.
“Small businesses will be able to reap the benefits of that, I believe," Lavonda Forehand, the restaurant's area operator, said.
“It opens up doors for many new opportunities for many, many families," said the restaurant's general manager, Matthew Harrell.
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U.S. Forged Rings says the facility will bring up to 625 jobs with an average annual wage of $80,000. The steel manufacturer went on to say this will boost Hertford County's employment by eight percent.
“Economic development is a team sport and Team North Carolina is the best in the business," North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said.
The average pay is nearly double the average for a job in the county.
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“Today represents an important milestone and is the result of thoughtful planning, collaboration, and shared commitment to progress," said Lassiter.
“I believe that what we are doing here today will last several generations for everyone involved," said USFR President & CEO Giacomo Sozzi.
He went on to explain why the company chose Hertford County.
“We have found, here, the intersection of all of the important factors that we believe are necessary, that are the foundation, for success," Sozzi said. "We believe that there is great potential here for further development. We are very happy to hear that people want to work."
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Back at the restaurant, customer Juanita Bowser said she would like to see more restaurants in the area but she’s not complaining about Thursday’s announcement.
“That’s a great thing for us. People do need jobs. Factory work is just fine as long as people want to go to work," Bowser said.
As of Thursday, the company expected to break ground for the first two phases of the facility in summer 2026.
