Asheville Kombucha Mamas, LLC, a locally owned natural beverage company more commonly known as BUCHI, is expanding in Madison County, creating 28 new jobs and currently investing $2 million with plans to invest up to $7 million over the next three years, Governor Roy Cooper announced. The company will expand its existing facility in Marshall.
“Homegrown companies are the pride of their communities, and I join Madison County in celebrating BUCHI’s expansion here,” said N.C. Secretary of Commerce Anthony M. Copeland. “North Carolina’s smaller towns and rural communities have much to offer business owners, and we’ve found that manufactures are very successful here. I look forward to BUCHI’s continued success and partnership in the community.”
BUCHI’s owners started brewing kombucha, a living probiotic, all-natural beverage, as a healthy alternative to other beverages. Since then, BUCHI has grown to produce 60,000 units per week and have expanded its product lines and customers. BUCHI now distributes across the east coast from Vermont down to Florida and as far west as Minnesota. To meet this growth, BUCHI plans to expand its facility and add more employees. BUCHI is community centered, minority established and operates as a triple bottom-line company. BUCHI currently has 17 employees.
"We deeply appreciate and are honored to be from an area where local and state assistance opportunities and advocacy are making a dramatic difference in our ability to offer good jobs,” said Co-CEOS of Buchi Kombucha, Zane Adams and Jeannine Buscher. “Madison County and the Town of Marshall came together to support our scaling company at a time when we need their help the most. Something special is growing in Madison/Marshall. We are proud to call it home.”
“We’ve found a niche for rural economic development among manufacturing projects,” continued Secretary Copeland. “BUCHI started out in Asheville and has reached the level of success at which they could go anywhere. BUCHI chose to stay because of the community, the business climate and the talent that has helped the company get to this point.”
The North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. (EDPNC) were instrumental in supporting the company’s expansion decision.
Salaries for the new jobs will vary by position but will average $43,472, which is more than the average wage of $32,108 in Madison County.
A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate BUCHI’s expansion in North Carolina. The One N.C. Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require a matching grant from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.
“The owners at BUCHI have been committed to this community for a long time, and we are proud to take part in their continued success,” said N.C. Senator Ralph Hise. “Madison County has a lot going for it, and I expect these 28 new jobs will fuel even more growth.”
In addition to North Carolina Commerce and the Economic Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in the project include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Madison County and the Town of Marshall.
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