The Orange County Living Wage Project is continuing to grow as more employers in our community commit to paying their workers a living wage, which is calculated as $12.75 per hour in Orange County.

Another employer was added to the list last Thursday and it was a rather large get for the local non-profit.

Susan Romaine is chair of OCLW and unveiled the latest company adding its name to the growing list of employers paying a living wage while on with WCHL last Thursday.

“I’ll call it sweet news,” Romaine said when announcing that Japanese candy manufacturer Morinaga was recognized for paying employee’s a living wage. Morinaga held a ribbon-cutting earlier this year celebrating the opening of the company’s Orange County facility, which was Morinaga’s first American production facility.

“This is really, really big news,” Romaine said of adding Morinaga, which produces a candy called Hi-Chew.

Morinaga currently has more than 80 employees, according to numbers cited at the ribbon cutting. And the company says it has plans for growth.

“All of those will be new positions, presumably paying a living wage,” Romaine said. “And so this is just terrific news for us, and I think it’s one more step in terms of showing what a diverse organization we are becoming.”

Romaine said the living wage employers recognized in the county include for-profit businesses, non-profits, local governments and public employers.

Morinaga brings the list now up to 79 employers in Orange County recognized for paying employees a living wage.

Related Stories
‹
Orange County Living Wage Set to Suspend Operations, Close Before 2025
The local nonprofit Orange County Living Wage announced it is set to end its operations after nine years after funding sources dried up.
Morinaga Officially Breaks Ground on Orange County Manufacturing Expansion
On Thursday in Mebane, dignitaries from multiple nations came together as the Japanese company Morinaga broke ground on a major expansion of its Hi-Chew candy factory in Orange County.
Orange County Approves Incentives for Morinaga's Expansion of HI-CHEW Factory
The Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $2.9 million tax incentives deal for Morinaga America Foods on Tuesday.
Morinaga Set to Expand Orange County Manufacturing Plant, Invest $136 Million in New Facility
After nearly ten years of successful operations in western Orange County, Morinaga will expand its facility for producing HI-CHEW candies.
A Living Wage in Orange County? You'll Need $15.85 An Hour
We've reached the start of a new year, and that means Orange County also has a new living wage: $15.85 an hour, up 45 cents from last year.
Orange County Living Wage Raised to Nearly $15 An Hour
The non-profit Orange County Living Wage announced a new annually adjusted living wage of $14.90 an hour in the county. The change, which was announced Monday, became effective January 1. The organization helps set the guidelines for businesses in the county to be living wage employers, which means paying full and part-time employees the minimum […]
OCLW Raises Living Wage
The Orange County Living Wage Project has increased what they consider their living wage. As of January 1, OCLW’s living wage is $13.70 per hour, or $12.20 for employers that offer health insurance. Chair of OCLW’s steering committee Susan Romaine says the adjustment accounts for an increase in rent in the area. “We use something […]
Morinaga Candy Factory Construction In OC To Begin "In A Couple Of Weeks"
Brantley said.
BOCC Eyes Incentive Deal For Candy Maker Morinaga
The public got a first look on Thursday at the incentive package offered by Orange County to entice Morinaga to Mebane.
Orange County Approves Purchase of Hillsborough Site for Future Crisis Diversion Facility
The Orange County Board of Commissioners recently approved a land purchase for a future Crisis Diversion Facility. 
›