A manufacturer plans to start operations in Brunswick County, bringing nearly 300 jobs to a long-shuttered facility in Navassa, officials announced Friday.
 
New Jersey-based Pacon Manufacturing Corp. intends to invest $37.6 million at the former U.S. Marine building on Quality Drive, which has been vacant since 2008.
                     
Pacon Manufacturing, a 70-year-old company, makes professional and consumer products including surgical drapes for the medical industry as well as disinfecting wipes and makeup remover pads on the consumer end.

“Hurricane Florence dealt a powerful blow to this area just six months ago, but North Carolinians are strong and resilient and today we are here to celebrate the good news of good jobs,” said Gov. Roy Cooper, who visited the plant Friday for the announcement. “Pacon Manufacturing chose North Carolina because of our strong workforce, infrastructure and community support, and they are committed to working with us as we rebuild.”

Salaries for the 299 new jobs will average $31,273 a year, officials said.

The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in January to support a Rural Development Building Reuse Grant to help with the renovations as a way to attract the company.
 
The application request was for $700,000, requiring a $35,000 match from the county.

The state commerce department’s Rural Infrastructure Authority still has to approve the grant, and the authority is expected to consider it April 22.
 
The company also received a performance-based grant of $300,000 from the One North Carolina Fund.