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Volume 132 • Issue 47
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
kmherald.com • 704-484-1047
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Benestar Brands to open plant in Kings Mountain By Loretta Cozart Benestar Brands announced opening a plant in Kings Mountain in October with plans to produce Chica’s Corn Chips at the local facility. The company headquarters are in Harbor City, CA. The company’s 129 new jobs in Kings Mountain will include managerial, operational, maintenance, warehouse and office staff. The average annual salary for all new positions is $43,021, creating a payroll impact of more than $5.5 million per year. Cleveland County’s overall average annual wage is $40,019. According to FoodBev Media, the Kings Mountain facility will give Benestar Brands easier access to the nation’s east coast market and is expected to grow NC’s Gross Domestic Product by $431 million over the
This artist’s rendering shows a modern facility with ample warehouse and office space for new KM Corporate Center. Work is slated to begin in 2021. See topographical map on page 5A. Photos provided by Keith Corporation
Chica’s Corn Chips will be produced in Kings Mountain at a new facility. grant’s 12-year term. At its website, Benestar Brands tells the story of Chica’s Corn Chip founder Irlanda Montes, and her dream to share her mother’s family recipes. This dream brought a time of laughter and joy as her sisters worked See PLANT, Page 2A
Local man dies during hunting trip John Michael (Mike) Houser’s body was recovered on Sunday, Nov. 8, following a two-day search for him when he did not meet his brother at the designated time while hunting in Jonesville, South Carolina the morning prior. Union County Sheriffs’ Office began the search early Saturday afternoon and continued until 11:30 pm. The next morning the search was resumed, and Houser’s body was found around 1 pm on Sunday. Indications are the death was accidental and that he fell from a tree, according to the Union County Sheriff’s office. Houser’s funeral service was held on Friday, Nov. 13. Mike Houser worked for the City of Kings Mountain for 31-years in their Energy Services Department. City
Cleveland County Schools begins the holiday on Nov. 25 with an annual leave day. Schools will be closed for Thanksgiving Nov. 26 and 27. High school and middle school progress reports go out on December 1. Elemen-
By Loretta Cozart Charlotte based Keith Corporation has begun marketing Kings Mountain Corporate Center’s 5-star industrial space at 705 Canterbury Road. The 164-acre site is permitted for 1,263,600 square feet
under one roof and all utilities including water, sewer, gas and electricity will be provided by City of Kings Mountain. The property has extensive I-85 frontage with access to the interstate by two interchanges. The facility will be built using construction rein-
forced concrete and work is slated to begin in 2021. The property is offered for sale for $35,000 per acre or build-to-suit for purchase or lease by The Keith Corporation. Industrial Developers on the project are Alan Lewis and Justin C. Curis. Build-to-suit options in-
clude 100,000-1,000,000 SF. Companies in the park include Hanes Brands. Access to I-85, NC Highway 161 and Canterbury Rd. The corporate park is located 26-miles west of Charlotte Douglas International Airport via I-85.
KM Beach Blast 2019 named CBMA’s Event of the Year CBMA’s was held virtually Nov. 14
Mike Houser is pictured receiving a certificate and pin from the city for 30 years of service on October 29, 2019. Photo by Loretta Cozart Manager Marilyn Sellers asks everyone, “Please pray for staff because they not only lost a coworker but a very dear friend.”
Clev. Co. Schools holiday calendar By Loretta Cozart
Keith Corporation markets new Kings Mountain Corporate Center
Cleveland County S C H O O L S
tary and Intermediate school report cards go out on Dec. 3. December 21 marks the end of the second quarter and is a Remote Learning day. Annual Leave days are December 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, and 31. Christmas holiday is December 24 and 25; New Year’s day is January 1.
The City of Kings Mountain is celebrating a big win! The city’s 2019 Beach Blast Festival held at Patriots Park in downtown Kings Mountain on August 23 and 24, 2019, has been named the Carolina Beach Music Awards Event of the Year. Beach Blast was one of six events nominated for this prestigious award winning over Fort Lauderdale FL, Raleigh NC, Cape Canaveral FL and two events at North Myrtle Beach. “This win speaks to the excellence of leadership from our Special Events Director, Christy Conner,” stated Marilyn Sellers, City Manager. “Starting her career with the City of Kings Mountain in 2001, Christy was promoted in 2017 as the Special Events Director.
BeachBlast 2019 was named the Carolina Beach Music Awards Event of the Year during ceremonies Saturday. Pictured L-R are Special Events Coordinator Angela Padgett , City Manager Marilyn Sellers, Special Events Director Christy Conner, and BeachBlast band/stage coordinator Chris Johnson. (Staff’s masks were removed while the taking of this photo) Photo provided Her leadership brings energy and enthusiasm to all our events. With her vision
and ability to rally a team of staff and volunteers, the Beach Blast Festival has
grown to be recognized across the State of NC and See BEACH BLAST, Page 2A
Veterans honored at drive-thru meal event City of Kings Mountain’s Special Events Department, Mauney Memorial Library and Patrick Senior Center partnered to honor Veterans with a drive-thru meal event on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the senior center. Veterans enjoyed a BBQ meal prepared by Linwood Restaurant. Harris Funeral Home sponsored the beautiful wreath displayed during the event
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that was later moved to Patriots Park. B&D RV Park and the Tom Brooks family co-sponsored the meal. Tony Coppola, owner of 238 Terra Mia Ristorante, provided gift cards to our Veterans. Over 80 cars came through the event held at the Patrick Senior Center and the community thanks our veterans for their service to our county.
The City of Kings Mountain hosted a Veteran’s Day Drive-thru on Nov. 10. Pictured above is Dr. Frank Sincox. See more photos on page 8A. Photo by Christy Conner
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