(The Center Square) – With a pending grant of $200,000 from the One North Carolina Fund, an Alabama-headquartered company is making a $40 million investment in Scotland County at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport.

Great Southern Wood-NC is a manufacturer of pressure-treated lumber. The 17th treatment plant for Great Southern Wood Preserving, makers of YellaWood brand pressure treated pine, will become the latest component in the state’s $41 billion forestry industry.

The One North Carolina Fund is taxpayer money as appropriated by the General Assembly. The sitting governor, in this case first-term Democrat Josh Stein, has discretion for its use to recruit, expand or retain businesses. No money is paid up front; rather, specific job creation and capital investment benchmarks must be met.

Expectations are for 43 jobs in Scotland County, with average annual salary of $60,827. In a release, Stein’s office said the county average is $49,091.

Economists question the effectiveness of financial incentives to businesses to expand or come to a new state. Context is encouraged when wages are introduced because a few corporate leaders at a site can skew the average higher while the median wage would not have the same ratio.

“This win illustrates the power of collaboration,” said state Sen. Danny Britt Jr. “The company’s decision is a great return on the investments that local, regional, and state partners have made to provide the site infrastructure that companies need.”

Earlier, the Southeast Regional Airport Authority was allocated $52.5 million from the General Assembly. This taxpayer money is to be used for site prep, runway extensions and water/sewer capital projects.

Great Southern Wood Preserving is headquartered in Abbeville, Ala. Distribution is to 27 states and the District of Columbia. It is known for TimberTech composite decking and rails, Aeratis Porch Flooring, Fiberon composite decking and railing, fasteners from FastenMaster and Fortress Railing Products.