Foreign Direct Investment

International Companies Earn Extended Reach

Companies from around the globe continue to discover the appeal of Cleveland County’s low operating costs, reliable infrastructure and top-tier talent.

Ventures operating in the region hail from Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, France, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, China and Mexico. Less than an hour away in Charlotte, more than 950 international companies have established U.S. locations.

Cleveland County’s automotive sector, for example, is in high gear with eight major international brands operating in the region. From die castings and drive shafts to thermoplastic laminates, companies like KSM Castings, Eaton, Cleveland Yutaka and Kendrion are well ahead of the pack thanks to the region’s business-friendly climate.

To provide for and boost global growth, Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership leverages federal, state and local alliances to attract and retain international companies. The State of North Carolina has a team of experts dedicated solely to foreign direct investment and guiding companies through the steps of establishing operations in the United States.

Cleveland County is situated in one of North Carolina’s four foreign trade zones. FTZ #57, which includes the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, offers companies involved with international trade a bottom-line advantage through deferment, reduction or elimination on customs duties on products admitted to the zone.