As Western North Carolina recovers from Hurricane Helene, a new electricity solutions manufacturer is set to help revitalize the region’s economy. Paradigm Energy and Storage is constructing a $175 million headquarters in Burnsville, a town situated just below the slopes of Mount Mitchell. The facility will create 150 new jobs while producing renewable energy systems.
Jeff Whitson, Chairman of the Yancey County Board of Commissioners, talked to ABC 13 News about Paradigm’s potential to enrich the financial situation of North Carolinians: “Within the first two years, [Paradigm] will have to create 100 new jobs and add 50 to follow within the next two years. The vast majority of them will be local, good paying jobs. I think [the salary is] starting out around $55,000 per year.”
In addition to these economic benefits, Paradigm’s investment could be immensely useful in the event of another natural disaster. Hurricane Helene’s severe flooding and mudslides crippled the state’s electricity infrastructure, contributing to the storm’s nearly $60 billion in damages. In remote areas, many households were left without power for months. Paradigm’s products will prevent similar issues from happening in the future. Their mobile solar power generators and battery packs are designed to allow first responders to restore electricity within 15 seconds of arriving in an area with a blackout.
The Burnsville headquarters is also the first step in Paradigm’s broader development plan. In an interview with ABC 13 News, the Founder of Paradigm, Chris McKendry, revealed that he plans to rapidly expand the company’s manufacturing footprint in Burke, McDowell, and Mitchell counties: “We are looking at buying several plants down in those counties, and we are going to manufacture solar panels and …batteries. We will also be selling on a global stage.”
