Dansons, a manufacturer of grills and smokers, is closing its Fayetteville distribution and warehouse operations in early 2024 and laying off 49 workers, according to a filing with the N.C. Department of Commerce.
The layoffs are expected to start in February and be completed by April.
The company is consolidating the Fayetteville operations with a similar warehouse and distribution center in Columbus, Georgia.
The company is based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dansons manufactures wood pellet, gas, charcoal, and combination-fueled grills, barbeques, smokers and portable grills sold under its Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills and Country Smokers brands.
The grills and smokers sold at Lowes, Wal-Mart, Target, Bass Pro Shops and Ace Hardware locations.
When Dansons announced the Fayetteville facility in August 2020, it said it would create 118 full-time jobs and make an immediate investment of more than $10 million, with future growth increasing the cost to more than $27 million.
As an incentive to open the North Carolina facility, the State of North Carolina awarded a $400,000 “One NC Grant” and Cumberland County approved a $175,000 job creation grant.
In addition to the Department of Commerce grant, Dansons received a diverse training package from the North Carolina Community College System, including a training grant of $91,000.
Robert Van Geons, CEO of the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Economic Development Corp., said the company was below the required employment so had not received grant payments. “We have reached out to try and help the employees and discuss their plans for the building,” he said.
A NC Department of Commerce spokesman said the company did not receive any of the “One NC Grant” funds.
When announced, the jobs were to have an average salary of $38,600 and include material handlers, machine operators, office administrators, and call center staff.
The company did not respond to requests for comment.