Sanford and Lee County are manufacturing communities, in a way that few other places are today. More than 31% of our workforce is employed making things, far above the statewide average of just over 9%. That isn’t thanks to one or two huge legacy employers who simply stuck around; there are over 80 manufacturing establishments in our community, big and small, turning out products of every kind. Some have been local mainstays for decades. Some moved here, drawn by our business-friendly climate and strong workforce. And some are the recent ventures by local entrepreneurs who didn’t believe the narrative that American manufacturing was on its way out.
One of those believers is Dr. Matthew Cashion. In 2010, he combined a love for fishing and a PhD in Molecular Science from Virginia Tech to create Cashion Fishing Rods. Through quality work and attention to detail, what started as a small business has quickly become one of Sanford’s fastest-growing manufacturers. Last year they expanded into a new facility, assisted by a Building Reuse Grant, and grew their operations to more than 30 employees. Like many other area manufacturers, they have benefitted from Sanford and Lee County’s history as a place that makes things; available workspace, a talented workforce, and a business community and local government responsive to the needs of manufacturing businesses have meant that, when one of our residents wants to start creating new products, there are people ready to support them.
Last week, Cashion Fishing Rods was nominated by the NC Chamber as one of the “Coolest Things Made in NC.” This annual contest looks at manufacturers across the state to see which of them are going above and beyond to make something cool. We’re proud of Cashion Rods for this achievement, but we’re hardly surprised that a Sanford and Lee County business was nominated for this award. We’ve intentionally built an ecosystem that rewards manufacturing excellence in our community, and as a result, we have no shortage of incredible products being made here. That one of them has been singled out for a chance at statewide recognition isn’t a fluke; it’s the culmination of years of hard work, both by the team at Cashion Rods and the community that supports them.
The semifinalist for Coolest Thing Made in NC will be announced next week, and we look forward to seeing if Cashion Rods made it on to the next round. But whether or not they end up winning the contest this year, their track record of success – and those of our other homegrown manufacturers – means we have great things to look forward to from them.