High Point is known as the “Furniture Capital of the World,” but it has now taken a step toward being known as a center of hot sauce distribution.
Hot Shots Distributing, Inc.– a Charlotte-based company that bills itself as the world’s largest distributor of hot sauces – has announced that it will locate a distribution and manufacturing operation at 827 W. Green Dr. in High Point.
The company plans to spend about $565,000 on building renovations, and, in the future, plans to offer 21 new jobs at the High Point hub.
City leaders are pleased that this investment will be in Southwest High Point – a part of the city that they have been attempting to revitalize. The building is in one of High Point’s “opportunity zones,” which are meant to promote economic development. Those opportunity zones are part of a federal community investment program established by Congress three years ago to encourage local investment in low-income urban and rural communities.
Very few companies ever seem to come to Guilford County without some sort of incentive, and there was a perk offered in this case as well. The High Point City Council authorized an economic development cash grant incentive of nearly $32,000 for the company. The incentive grant includes $10,758 based upon the capital investment as well as $1,000 per new job – or a total of $21,000 for job creation.
Those new positions will be senior management, office staff, warehouse staff and commercial kitchen staff. The jobs will pay more than Guilford County’s average wage.
In a Friday, Feb. 5 press release announcing Hot Shots’ decision, Lauren Heald, the company president, said High Point was a great place to open shop.
“I am very excited to be coming home to the High Point area and bringing our family’s business with us. It is a tremendous opportunity to grow the business for future generations.”
Hot Shots Vice President Matt Heald had a similar reaction.
“High Point has an attractive real estate market that is perfectly suited to small scale distribution and manufacturing,” he said. “The building we are choosing has ample room for our vertical expansion plans for acquiring more brands and building our own production.”
Sandy Dunbeck, the interim director of the High Point Economic Development Corp. stated in the press release that High Point and Hot Shots should make great partners.
“Seeing projects like Hot Shots locate in this historic area of High Point is excellent for Southwest High Point,” Dunbeck stated. “City staff has been working to revitalize the area through a targeted effort. Hot Shots is a perfect example of companies that fit well in the area, and we are thrilled that company officials have chosen High Point.”
