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ISSUE NO. 1 • January 8, 2026 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
Economic Development Director announces retirement Dilgert has a shared passion for the prosperity of our citizens will avoid the site,” Dilbert said. Rutherford County’s central location Birgit Dilgert joined Rutherford County along the east coast, from a logistics Economic Development (RCED) in standpoint, is something industry finds November, 2012, and became executive appealing, Dilgert says. However, she insists director in 2019 upon the departure of Tom that Rutherford County should continue to Johnson. She officially retires at the end advocate for interstate designation, for U.S. of January, following an interesting and Highway 74. successful career. “An interstate quality U.S. 74. corridor Dilgert moved with her family to will provide better connectivity, business Rutherfordton, from Ontario, Canada, in planning, transportation safety, and resource 2001 for her husband’s career. At that time, efficiency from I-26 to I-85,” Dilgert explained. she chose to not work outside the home, Being more than 15 miles away from while raising two children. an interstate highway, is viewed negatively by “Once they entered high school, I decided many companies. to re-enter the workforce,” Dilgert said. A spirit of cooperation and In her time at RCED, Dilgert was collaboration, makes economic development instrumental in bringing millions of investment efforts more successful. Dilgert says she dollars to Rutherford County, as well as is proud of the strong relationships RCED hundreds of new jobs. She has experienced has formed with federal, state, and local much success, and also knows first-hand agencies, representatives, and allies within how complex, and at times frustrating, the the community. process of economic development can be. “I firmly believe when we work Executive Director Birgit Dilgert is retiring from Rutherford County One of the major successes of RCED is together, we multiply our strengths. TMG & Haartz. This company announced Economic Development (RCED). She was instrumental in bringing Collaboration turns individual effort into hundreds of new jobs to Rutherford County. in the summer of 2025 that it will establish a shared success and lifts everyone higher,” manufacturing plant in Golden Valley, at the Dilgert said, “In order to recruit a new industry, Dilbert stated. former Milliken facility. This company is expected to many things need to align or be in place. A community Rutherford County Manager Steve Garrison said invest $51 million and bring 125 new jobs in its first needs to have land and/or buildings available, Dilgert’s leadership has been critical to the success five years of operation. The company will manufacture infrastructure, a readily available trained workforce, a of many economic development projects. automotive trim parts. favorable business climate, good transportation and “Rutherford County owes an enormous debt Landing this company was a lengthy, arduous market access, a strong quality of life, coordinated of gratitude to Director Dilgert,” Garrison stated. process. leadership and solid data for decision making.” “Her relentless dedication has helped attract new “It takes a long time, and a lot of work,” Dilbert But also, according to Dilgert, the process is industries and investments and has created new jobs explained. “We put a lot into it. Sometimes we are “relational.” and career opportunities for our citizens. Her work able to secure the project, and sometimes we come “It’s often based on the connections formed when a has made a measurable difference, and the benefits very close, only to be passed by for another site... company visits your community,” she continued. “The will be felt for decades to come.” sometimes in another state. We work just as hard on company needs to know you can be trusted to provide Dilgert looks forward to retirement, and plans to each project and we are ecstatic that TMG & Haartz what you say you will provide in order to ensure the travel more. She and her husband will continue to chose Rutherford County.” company can be successful in your community.” make their home in Rutherfordton. She remains The company is in the process of outfitting the Dilgert says a big misconception is that there are optimistic, and believes Rutherford County has a facility. plenty of former factories or buildings that could be bright future. “The hope is for the plant to be operational by used to house a new industry. “I have met and worked with so many wonderful summer,” Dilbert said. “While former factories can sometimes be reused, people,” Dilgert added. “These are people who are It took about six months from RCED’s initial contact there are many situations where they can’t, or where truly passionate about Rutherford County, and are with the company until the company ultimately chose reuse is so costly and impractical that new industry working for the prosperity for all its citizens.” Rutherford County. Article by Scott Carpenter. Contributed photos.
With support from RCED, Trellborg chose to construct a new flagship facility, located in the Gateway West Industrial Park.
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Cardinal tissue is among the industries recruited by RCED. This is a view inside the facility, located on Oakland Road in Spindale.
Wow Bao, recruited by RCED, is an Asian street food brand. The company established a manufacturing plant in Forest City. Pictured are some of the products made by the company.