The Wilmington Journal, a weekly newspaper that has served the African American community of Wilmington and surrounding areas since 1927, issued a letter today stating its support of Carolinas Cement Company’s plans to build a state-of-the-art cement plant in Castle Hayne. The letter was signed by Mary Alice Jervay Thatch, Editor and Publisher, and Shawn Jervay Thatch, Business Manager.

The letter states that The Wilmington Journal officially endorsed Carolinas Cement on July 2, 2009 by publishing a guest editorial by Reverend Tony McGhee that states:
     • Carolinas Cement will bring significant economic benefits to our community.
     • Carolinas Cement and Titan America are excellent environmental stewards.
     • Carolinas Cement will contribute its time, talent and money to the local community.

In the support letter, The Wilmington Journal recognised Titan America, parent company of Carolinas Cement, for it support of community programs and said that it looks forward to working with Carolinas Cement to advance the local community economically and socially.

According to Bob Odom, project manager for Carolinas Cement, the plant will have an annual fiscal impact in excess of US$120m to New Hanover County when it reaches full operations. Carolinas Cement will create 161 permanent, full-time jobs, and 1,000 construction jobs during its two-year construction phase.

Carolinas Cement Company is a subsidiary of Titan America LLC. Titan America LLC is headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia and is one of the premier heavy building materials producers in the eastern United States. Titan America operations include cement plants, ready-mixed concrete plants, concrete block plants, quarries, import and rail terminals and fly ash benefication facilities.