EDENTON — The Whiskey Project Group has opened a 60,000-square-foot North American manufacturing hub expected to create at least 30 jobs in Chowan County.
The Australian maritime technology and advanced manufacturing company opened the operation Oct. 20 on a 50-acre waterfront site. The North Carolina Governor’s Office said the site will serve as the company’s primary North American production and sustainment hub for defense, government, commercial and recreational watercraft.
The state announcement says the first 30 positions will include work in advanced manufacturing, engineering, technical services, vessel repair and maintenance. That initial hiring clears NC Business Desk’s consideration threshold for a physical opening and adds specialized manufacturing capacity in northeastern North Carolina.
The Albemarle Observer reported that the company plans to invest $10 million in its U.S. operations and support more than 200 jobs as the business grows. The state’s 30-job figure describes the opening-stage commitment, while the larger figure is a longer-term company projection.
The local report says the company has a $36 million production contract for tactical watercraft with deliveries scheduled through September 2029. It also is one of eight manufacturers selected for a Navy program covering as many as 474 rigid-hulled inflatable boats, with a potential value of up to $650 million across all participating manufacturers if every option is exercised.
The Edenton operation will manufacture and maintain the company’s Whiskey, NAiAD and VYCOR brands. The company says it plans to expand production capacity and build larger vessels as its U.S. operations grow.
The opening gives the company a domestic manufacturing and service base closer to U.S. customers while adding skilled jobs and defense-related production capability to Chowan County. The longer-term employment and contract figures remain projections rather than completed hiring or guaranteed orders.