Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1461150
704-484-1047 www.shelbyinfo.com Our 39th Year • Issue No. 11 • March 17, 2022 "Your Source For Trusted Print" TWO TWO BIG BIG DAYS! DAYS! Ora Ora SUPER SUPERMARKET MARKET & BROAD RIVER HAMS & BROAD RIVER HAMS ONLY ONLY $ 6 99 99 each each 1026 EAST MARION ST., SHELBY, NC WE ACCEPT EBT, SNAP, FOOD STAMPS, DEBIT 704-487-4377 WWW.ORASUPERMARKET.COM Like Us On Facebook! BACON WRAPPED FILETS BACON WRAPPED FILETS FRIDAY • MARCH 25 FRIDAY • MARCH 25 TH TH & SATURDAY • MARCH 26 & SATURDAY • MARCH 26 TH TH HRS: 8AM-6PM MON-.SAT. Our 79 Our 79 th th Year! Year! Basalt fiber plant to be the only North American manufacturer of the useful fibers by MICHAEL E. POWELL CF Media michael@cfmedia.info On Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at 11 a.m., USDA Rural Development State Director Reginald Speight announced an investment with Mafic USA, located at 119 Metrolina Dr., Shelby, in the Foothills Industrial Park. According to a USDA media release, Mafic USA will use a $3 million USDA Business and Industry loan to "…finance the purchase of equipment to expand the capacity of its Shelby facility." Mafic USA, a basalt fiber manufacturing plant, uses basalt (a.k.a. mafic volcanic rock) and creates high-quality, tensile and very usable fiber for many varied purposes. This investment, noted the information in the media release, reiterates the President's State of the Union address remarks about the "…value of American made products." President Biden was also quoted thusly, "There's some- thing happening in America. The rebirth of the pride that comes from stamping products 'Made in America'. The revitalization of American manufacturing." Director Speight, of Raleigh, was joined by several represen- tatives from Mafic USA, along with several federal and local officials. "Mafic USA is about to become the largest volume producer of basalt fiber once the plant reaches full capac- ity," Speight noted in the media release. "This underscores the President's desire for the United States to move away from for- eign supply chains and make quality products here at home." He also thanked everyone at Mafic for all the work they do, adding, "We're here to recog- nize Mafic as the world's lead- ing producer of basalt fiber and Shelby's plant as the largest in the world doing this type of work." Mafic VP of Global Sales and Marketing Lee Berry said the process they use takes the basalt rock, melts it at 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit in order to use it and create the fibers they need to make their product. Berry said the facility opened two years ago. Berry further noted the mate- rial has a multitude of uses in the construction, aerospace, auto- motive, marine, and defense industries. Cleveland County Commis- sioners Deb Hardin, Johnny Hutchins, Doug Bridges, and Ronnie Whetstine were on hand for the event. Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman, as well as Jordan Barnes, the regional rep- resentative for Sen. Thom Tillis, were also present. Mafic USA's Human Resources Director, Stephen Savage, thanked everyone for coming, adding, "We are proud to be in Cleveland County." He also invited everyone to stay for lunch after the signing. The meal was catered by Red Bridges Barbecue, of Shelby. See MAFIC, Page 6 USDA makes $3M investment in Shelby's Mafic USA Mafic USA HR Director Stephen Savage introduces USDA-Rural Development's Reginald Speight (center right) and other company dignitaries at the March 9 investment and informational event. (photos by MEP/CF Media) Signing off on a $3 million investment in Mafic USA are (left to right): Brett McMahon (Member of the Board of Directors), Kevin McDonald (Chairman of the Board), and Reginald Speight (NC State Director of USDA-RD). Mafic USA's Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Lee Berry, shows off some of the basalt product manufactured by the Shelby company.