LEE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Southern Base of the Research Triangle Region

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
 

GIFT BASKET OPERATION ANNOUNCES
MOVE TO SANFORD, PLANS EXPANSION

SANFORD -- Balloons Inc., a company supplying gift baskets to hospital shops 
across the eastern United States, has announced it will move to Sanford and 
begin an expansion project that could eventually employ 100 workers at the Lee 
County Industrial Park.

Currently based in Lumberton, Balloons Inc. is in the final stages of 
constructing a new, 100,000-square-foot facility just north of the city. When 
it's done, perhaps by late May, the company will relocate -- bringing about 12 
employees from Robeson County and initially adding another four or five dozen.

Company president William Grubb said he expects eventually to have about 100 
people working at the site -- manufacturing ribbon and bows and assembling gift 
baskets packed with candy, balloons, stuffed animals and other items.

Grubb's announcement comes about the same time two other companies went public 
with new industrial operations in the county.

Patriot Performance Materials, which manufactures body and vehicle armor, 
moved from Lillington to Sanford earlier this year and is busy with a 
significant expansion of its own.

And PolySi, an industrial lubricant manufacturer based in Ohio, recently 
announced the company will move its headquarters and manufacturing to the
industrial park, not far from where Balloons Inc. will be located.

It's all good news for the entire region, said Bob Heuts, director of the Lee 
County Economic Development Corp.

"Companies have been looking here for months, but have waited for the economy 
to improve before deciding to make their capital investments," Heuts said. 
"But, all along, business leaders have recognized what an attractive place 
this is to locate -- with exceptional roads, outstanding people and a 
less-dense Research Triangle location.

"This is one good sign the future is bright for Lee County."

The Lee County Economic Development Corp. is a nonprofit organization 
established to attract industry, enhance job opportunities and promote sound 
planning across Lee County. Funding is provided by the county, as well as the 
City of Sanford and Town of Broadway, the county's two municipalities.

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Media Contacts:
Bob Heuts, Director
Jane Haber, Administrative Assistant
919-774-8439 (phone)
919-775-5410 (fax)
info@lcedc.com (e-mail)

Media Web:    http://www.lcedc.com/media/
This release: http://www.lcedc.com/media/releases/nr032404.txt