Eren Tataragasi

Richmond County Department of Commerce

For the second time in two weeks, good news is coming to the county from the office of Gov. Bev Perdue.

Perdue announced Tuesday morning that Knit-Rite, Inc., a national producer of specialized socks and hosiery for the medical market, will expand its manufacturing plant, Therafirm Compression Products, in Ellerbe, investing more than $1.1 million and creating 24 new jobs.

The company currently employs 44 people.

Jimmy Ray, the plant manager of Therafirm in Ellerbe, said he’s excited the expansion is happening at his plant and said hiring could begin as soon as next week for a few positions.

“I’m most definitely excited,” he said. “I’ve been in this business for 37 years and business is good now and there are some exciting things going on and there’s more interest in leg care. So I’m excited to grow this business.

“We’ve been here since 1996 and employed some of the finest associates in the county, and we hope to find even more,” Ray added.

In her press release, Gov. Perdue said it’s that reputation that keeps companies interested in the state.

“Our trained workforce and outstanding quality of life continue to attract companies looking for the perfect location to compete in a worldwide marketplace,” she said.

Knit-Rite’s headquarters are in Kansas City, Kansas and for the last 86 years they have been in the medical textile market creating socks for prosthetics and diabetics.

County Manager Rick Sago said he and the Knit-Rite executives have been working on this deal for more than a year.