The 2025-26 Orange County Board of Commissioners. (Photo via the Orange County government.)
The Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed an agreement between the county and the company CITEL to move its American manufacturing operations to Hillsborough at its Dec. 9 meeting. CITEL is a French manufacturer specializing in industrial surge protection products.
The board meeting’s minutes on the agreement consisted of a public hearing and public comments from commissioners. Orange County Economic Development Director Steve Brantley delivered a short presentation on the company and proposed facility, and representatives from CITEL were in attendance to answer questions.
“The company came to us several months ago to look at a superb building in Hillsborough’s Meadowlands Business Park, the former long-time facility for Mid-Atlantic STIHL.” said Brantley. “Over five years, they would create 79 total jobs, of which 38 jobs are net new to be hired locally. The average wage exceeds $83,000 a year, which is more than $40 per hour, well above the Orange County living wage.”
One large part of the agreement is a tax incentive for the company that will remain in effect from 2025 until 2029. The max amount for the incentive is $100,433 dollars, and the projected net tax revenue from that period is $33,477. The projected net tax revenue for the first decade of CITEL’s operation in Hillsborough is $162,880.
“This seems to be very consistent with Orange County’s prior commitments to other businesses like CITEL,” said Commissioner Marilyn Carter. “Seventy-nine new jobs in the area and net new property tax revenue of roughly $163,000 over 10 years for the county and the residents is very attractive. Continuing to improve and expand our commercial base here in Orange County is in alignment with our strategic goals.”
“I don’t really see any downside of it,” said Commissioner Earl McKee. “I will make a motion that we move forward with this incentive.”
Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair Jean Hamilton ended the hearing by thanking CITEL directly.
“Your interest in Orange County kind of confirms what we already know, that our community offers a powerful combination of skilled workers, strategic location and high quality of life,” she said. “We’re pleased to support this project with this incentive and this is the kind of partnership that benefits both our residents and our growing global business community.”
The company’s American subsidiary, CITEL America Inc., is currently headquartered in Miramar, Florida. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein’s office announced the agreement in late November.
“North Carolina is on the rise, and companies like CITEL are taking notice,” the governor said in the November release. “With our world-class workforce and collaborative ‘Team North Carolina’ approach to economic development, we’re proud to welcome these new jobs to Orange County and are confident CITEL will find great success here.”
Featured image via the Orange County government
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