Prolec GE Waukesha Breaks Ground on Major Expansion in Wayne County
WAYNE COUNTY – Prolec GE Waukesha officials joined state and local leaders today to celebrate the groundbreaking of a major expansion at the company’s Goldsboro facility. The project represents a $140 million capital investment and will create 330 new jobs while significantly increasing production of medium power transformers.
The expansion will increase the facility’s annual capacity from 220 units to 420 units, adding 200 additional transformers per year to help meet the growing demand for electrical infrastructure across North America. The project is expected to take approximately 2.5 years to complete and includes engineering, construction, and installation of new manufacturing equipment.
Goldsboro operations began in 1966 as Hevi-Duty Electric, a division of Sola Basic Industries. The company opened its current facility at 2701 US Highway 117 South in 1967 and has continued to expand and modernize over the decades. Today the site includes 171,500 square feet of manufacturing and office space and employs more than 350 people, producing units up to 60 MVA and 230kV.
This groundbreaking represents a significant step forward in strengthening North America’s energy infrastructure. This $140 million investment underscores our long-term commitment to creating sustainable value for the energy market while energizing life and society to help build a better world. Through our collaboration with the state of North Carolina, Wayne County, and our joint venture partner GE Vernova, we are turning that commitment into tangible progress that will benefit customers and communities who rely on the power grid.
“Today, we mark a milestone; an investment that strengthens American manufacturing, supports this community, and reinforces the backbone of our nation’s electrical grid. Today marks the start of construction - and the renewal of a long-term partnership with this community - strengthening families, careers, and the grid that powers our nation for decades to come,” said Troy Kabrich, the Director of U.S. Power Transformer Operations.
“Today’s groundbreaking represents more than the start of construction; it represents opportunity,” Bell said. “This expansion demonstrates confidence in Wayne County’s workforce and business climate. The investment will create high-quality jobs, strengthen our local economy and help ensure the energy sector can meet the growing demands of our citizens and businesses.” said N.C. Representative John R. Bell.
“We are proud to break ground on this transformative project, which represents a major investment in the future of Wayne County,” said Joe Daughtery, Chair of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. “This facility will not only create quality jobs and expand our tax base, it will also strengthen our role in supporting critical energy infrastructure for communities across North America. Working alongside our state partners and Prolec-GE Waukesha, we are demonstrating that Wayne County is prepared, competitive, and committed to building a stronger economy for our residents today and for generations to come.”
Mark Pope, President of the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region, said the project highlights the region’s economic strengths.
“The expansion of Prolec in Wayne County is a major milestone for our region,” Pope said. “It reflects Prolec’s confidence in our community and showcases the strategic advantages we provide, including a highly skilled workforce and exceptional transportation access. This investment will create quality jobs; fuel continued economic growth and help advance the energy sector to meet the evolving needs of our society”.
Julie Graham, Existing Industry Director, highlighted the impact the project will have on residents.
“We are thrilled that Prolec-GE Waukesha has chosen to expand here in Wayne County,” Graham said. “This project showcases the region’s competitive strengths - our skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, and strong commitment to supporting industry. The jobs and opportunities created through this expansion will have a meaningful and lasting impact on our residents.”
Project partners include the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Wayne County, the Wayne County Development Alliance, Duke Energy, North Carolina Southeast, and Wayne Community College.
For more information visit: ncgtpedr.com
