Emergency vehicle service receives $100,000 to expand Falkland facility

A company that maintains and repairs emergency vehicles has received $100,000 from the state of North Carolina to expand its operations in Falkland.

The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority allocated funds from its Building Reuse Grant to support a 12,000-square-foot expansion of Atlantic Emergency Solutions’ facility in the western Pitt County community.

The company, which has locations in seven states plus the District of Columbia, provides metal fabrication, paint, graphics, maintenance and warranty work on fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. It plans to create 10 jobs and invest $1,450,000 in the project, state and local officials said.

Founded in Virginia in 2010, the company also has locations in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.

Along with the state grant, the Pitt County Board of Commissioners voted in March to provide a $5,000 grant to match the state funds.

“Pitt County is home to incredible people and businesses, and I am so proud of the job growth and building expansion of Atlantic Emergency Solutions,” Rep. Gloristine Brown said. “I am glad to continue working in tandem with the State of North Carolina and our local partners to create more economic opportunities for the people of Pitt County.”

The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and/or expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct health care facilities that will lead to the creation of new jobs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

“Supporting and promoting the success of local industry is extremely important to our organization,” said Josh Lewis, president and CEO of the Greenville ENC Alliance.

“We are proud that Atlantic Emergency Solutions is strengthening its presence in Falkland and bringing more high-paying jobs to the community,” Lewis said. “These are the types of opportunities that help small towns grow and prosper. Congratulations to Atlantic Emergency Solutions and our partners in Falkland.”