Shipping giant A.P. Moller-Maersk announced Wednesday that it will establish its North American headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The company expects the $16 million development to add over 500 jobs to its existing Charlotte workforce over the next several years. bringing the total to nearly 1,300.
Maersk, based in Copenhagen, established a corporate presence in Charlotte in 2006. The headquarters will feature several functions, including human resources, finance, technology and commercial strategy. The North Carolina Department of Commerce noted that the new jobs could create an annual payroll impact of more than $52.5 million on the local economy.
Maersk's integrated logistics solutions include ocean and inland transportation, along with warehousing, customs services and digital logistics platforms. The company’s North American business employs more than 10,000 people, contributing to Maersk’s global workforce of around 100,000 employees.
Maersk received support for the project from a 12-year Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by North Carolina's Economic Investment Committee. Over the course of the grant, the state Commerce Department expects the project to grow North Carolina's economy by $1.5 billion.
The JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to about $7.9 million. State payments will occur after performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue.
Because Maersk chose a location in Mecklenburg County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as "Tier 3," the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving approximately $2.6 million into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account.
Other partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, N.C. Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College, Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
