WILSON MILLS – Bartlett Milling is expanding its mill operations in Johnston County, investing an estimated $26 million to $28 million in the project.

The company, which is headquartered in Kansas City and operates a facility in Statesville that manufactures animal feed and distribution centers in Goldsboro and Shelby, plans to hire at least five new employees. It will pay salaries above the average wage in Johnston County, as well as provide benefits, according to a statement issued by Johnston County Economic Development.

The company produces commercial patent flours for bakeries, restaurants, and institutional food service operations like schools and hospitals Its current Wilson Mills facility was acquired from Midstate Mills, Inc., in 2007.  The company expansion will result in opening a new production line at the facility.

“We are excited about expanding our operations to better serve our customers in North and South Carolina,” said Bob Knief, president of Bartlett Milling, in a statement.  “This new production line will primarily process soft wheat, creating increased opportunities for area farmers to market their soft wheat crop.”

Amazon will build distribution center, create 500 jobs in Johnston County

The expansion is expected to create a one-time economic boost of $21.5 million for the county, according to an analysis conducted by Dr. Michael Walden, WRAL TechWire contributor and the William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University.

The company is a part of a larger entity, Savage Enterprises, LLC, which operates in 33 states and three other countries, in a variety of industries that include energy, logistics management, agriculture, transportation, and environmental cleanup services.

According to an estimate from the United States Census Bureau, as of 2019, Wilson Mills had a population of about 2,600 people.  It was incorporated as a town in 1996.