The Orange County Board of Commissioners has approved a performance-based economic development incentive package to support the relocation of CITEL America, Inc., a French manufacturer of industrial surge protection products, from Florida to Orange County, NC. The project would establish the company’s U.S. headquarters, office, and manufacturing operations at the former Mid-Atlantic STIHL Inc. facility in the Meadowlands Business Park in Hillsborough.

CITEL America is the U.S. subsidiary of the France-based CITEL Group, a global manufacturer and research and development firm specializing in electrical surge protection devices. The company’s decision to relocate is driven by operating costs, workforce access, and the desire for improved logistics—including direct flights to Paris from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

“CITEL’s interest in Orange County confirms what we already know—that our community offers a powerful combination of skilled workers, strategic location, and high quality of life,” said Jean Hamilton, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “We are pleased to support this project with a performance-based incentive that only pays out when the company delivers on its investment and job commitments. It’s the kind of partnership that benefits both our residents and our growing global business community.”

Project Overview

Before selecting Orange County, CITEL evaluated multiple competing sites in Florida, South Carolina, Washington, Texas, and other counties across North Carolina. The proposed Orange County site is an 80,596-square-foot facility at 315 Executive Court in Hillsborough, which would serve as the company’s new U.S. headquarters and manufacturing center.

Key elements of the project include:

• $15.25 million in anticipated capital investment from 2026-2030
• 79 total positions, including 38 new jobs created between 2025-2029
• Average annual wage of $83,611 (approximately $40.20/hour)
• Investment includes significant new machinery, equipment, and facility improvements

County Incentive Structure

The Board approved a performance-based inducement grant equal to 75% of CITEL’s actual net-new real and personal property tax valuation for up to five years. Payments will only be made once the company has met investment and performance milestones.

• The incentive applies only to $6 million in new personal property investments (machinery and equipment), and up to $1 million in real property improvements to be made at the site.
• The existing building purchase value, which is already subject to county taxation, is not eligible for incentives.
• The estimated five-year total incentive is $100,433.
• Over the first 10 years, CITEL’s investment is projected to generate approximately $263,313 in gross property tax valuation, resulting in an estimated $162,800 net gain for Orange County after incentives.

State and Regional Support

CITEL has also been offered a package of incentives and workforce development support from the state of North Carolina and Capital Area Workforce Development (CAWD), including:

State of North Carolina Incentives — Total: $591,300

• State tax exemption on machinery and equipment purchases: $270,000
• One North Carolina Fund grant: $50,000
• NC Community College System Customized Training: $118,500
• Work Opportunity Tax Credit: $52,800
• Federal Bonding Program: $90,000
• Job Ready Grants: $10,000

CAWD Workforce Support

• Employment recruitment and screening
• Higher education and agency partnerships
• On-the-job training reimbursement
• Incumbent worker training grant: $10,000

Other key partners in this project include the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina General Assembly, the University of North Carolina System, the North Carolina Community College System, Durham Tech Community College, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Duke Energy, Orange County Economic Development, and the Town of Hillsborough. 

Photo caption, left to Right: Patrick Coyle, Vice President of CITEL America, Inc.; Steve Brantley, Director, Orange County Economic Development; Henri Guichard, President, CITEL Group; Tatiana Debiase, Production Manager, CITEL America, Inc.; Daniel Cardosa, Regional Sales Manager, CITEL America, Inc.; and Amanda Garner – Assistant Director, Orange County Economic Development.