Kinlaw’s Supermarket, a locally owned and operated fresh produce and meat store, has announced that it will be moving forward on a renovation and expansion project at its headquarters in Fayetteville. This will result in the creation of 11 full-time jobs and a total capital investment of $515,000.

Called “The Meat Store,” Kinlaw’s was established in 1979 and offers a full line of grocery items including farm fresh, local produce and beef, pork, and chicken that is freshly cut and packaged in-store each day. They pride themselves on the fact that no fillers, additives, preservatives, or growth hormones are ever present in their products. The Kinlaw family regularly demonstrates their commitment to our community and actively participates in local re-entry programs that provide employment for former offenders.

The renovation was supported by the NC Department of Commerce Rural Division Building Reuse Program which awarded a grant of $110,000 to the project based on the number of jobs created.

This project will expand the meat processing, cold storage, and distribution capacity at Kinlaw’s headquarters on 1802 Sapona Road. The renovations to the building will include an estimated $415,000 construction cost with expenses in personal property to exceed an additional $100,000. The 11 full-time jobs will include an average annual wage of $31,158 and comprehensive benefits packages.

The City of Fayetteville introduced the Kinlaws to the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation (FCEDC)  who partnered with the City, City Council, and the NC Department of Commerce to facilitate this development. “We are glad to see this local company grow and that we were able to support this project. Our City is committed to supporting existing businesses and attracting new jobs and investment,” said Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin.

Owner Tommy Kinlaw said, “We are very pleased that this expansion will create local jobs for people who have had difficulty finding employment due to their past. We appreciate Mayor Colvin, The City of Fayetteville, and FCEDC’s dedicated involvement in this project from the very start.”

Additional assistance from the NC Department of Commerce includes a diverse training package from the North Carolina Community College System. Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) will be managing this training program.

Commenting on the cooperation that resulted in the success of this project, Jack Rostetter, the Chairman of the FCEDC Board of Directors said, “This is a great example of collaborative economic development with positive engagement from all stakeholders in our community. Together, the City of Fayetteville, their Community Development team, our FCEDC staff, and the NC Department of Commerce were able to find a way to help a great local business grow.”

In addition to this expansion, the Kinlaws have also purchased and recently opened their second supermarket on Gillespie Street. More jobs will be created for this facility in the coming months and hiring is expected to start immediately.