Structural steel manufacturer will add 108,000 square feet to Cumberland County operations
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (September 14, 2026) — SteelFab Inc., one of the nation’s largest structural steel fabricators, plans to invest more than $19 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Fayetteville, North Carolina, creating 38 new jobs in Cumberland County.
The expansion will add approximately 108,000 square feet to the company’s existing operations and significantly increase its steel fabrication capacity.
“North Carolina is a place where businesses like SteelFab can grow,” said Gov. Josh Stein. “Cumberland County is home to a world-class workforce, legacy of manufacturing excellence, and convenient East Coast location. We’re grateful that SteelFab is doubling down on Cumberland.”
SteelFab Expands Fayetteville Manufacturing Capacity
SteelFab operates 15 facilities and 17 offices across the United States and is among the country’s largest structural steel fabrication companies.
The company uses advanced manufacturing technology to fabricate as much as 2,000 tons of material each week for commercial and industrial construction projects.
The Fayetteville expansion will include:
- Three new fabrication bays
- Two prep bays
- Two shape lines
- New office space
- Employee break room facilities
The project is expected to provide SteelFab with additional production capacity while positioning the company for continued growth throughout North Carolina and the East Coast.
“SteelFab looks forward to substantially growing our business in Fayetteville,” said Rob Burlington, Region President of SteelFab Inc.
Burlington said support from the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Commission and the State of North Carolina helped the company move forward with plans for the expanded manufacturing facility and workforce.
“We are excited to continue our tradition as a North Carolina-founded privately owned steel manufacturer supplying projects in communities across the state and the East Coast,” Burlington said.
Expansion Will Create High-Paying Manufacturing Jobs
SteelFab’s expansion is expected to create 38 new jobs with an average annual salary of $70,106.
That figure is significantly higher than Cumberland County’s reported average annual wage of $47,175.
The new positions could generate more than $2.6 million in annual payroll for the Fayetteville and Cumberland County economy.
N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley pointed to the region’s workforce advantages, including military veterans and service members transitioning into civilian careers.
“Fayetteville offers a uniquely skilled workforce with its transitioning military personnel and veterans,” Lilley said. “This expansion of a homegrown company represents the best of North Carolina as it creates more opportunities in Cumberland County and beyond.”
North Carolina Supports SteelFab Expansion
A performance-based grant of $125,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help support the project.
The One North Carolina Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to encourage business investment and job creation.
Companies do not receive funding upfront and must meet established job creation and capital investment requirements before qualifying for payments. OneNC awards also require matching participation from local governments.
N.C. Sen. Val Applewhite said SteelFab’s decision represents another significant investment in Cumberland County.
“SteelFab could have made this investment anywhere, but they chose Cumberland County,” Applewhite said. “The future is bright for this company, and we stand ready to support them in this next phase of growth.”
N.C. Rep. Charles Smith also emphasized the impact of the expansion on both infrastructure and workforce development.
“This increased investment in Fayetteville is not only in our infrastructure but also in our people,” Smith said.
Fayetteville Strengthens Advanced Manufacturing Base
SteelFab’s expansion adds to Fayetteville and Cumberland County’s manufacturing sector while strengthening the region’s role in supplying structural steel for major commercial and industrial projects.
The project also highlights one of Fayetteville’s unique workforce assets: its proximity to a large population of veterans and transitioning military personnel.
A broad group of state and local economic development organizations supported the project, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, North Carolina General Assembly, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, North Carolina Community College System, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Cumberland County, City of Fayetteville and Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation.
With more than $19 million in planned capital investment, 108,000 square feet of new manufacturing space and 38 new jobs, SteelFab’s Fayetteville expansion represents another major reinvestment in Cumberland County’s industrial economy.
