A company that makes products for the construction industry plans to build a manufacturing facility in Leland Innovation Park, creating at least 35 jobs and investing $5 million.

US MgO, which makes magnesium oxide cement sheathing panels for mainly larger structures, such as apartment buildings, is buying 22 acres in the innovation park from Brunswick County.

The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners approved the $770,000 sale to US MgO after a public hearing Monday.

“After two years of research and development at our small facility in Leland, we’re thrilled to break ground on this major upgrade,” stated Ryan Miller, general manager of US MgO, in a news release. “While MgO panels aren’t known to most folks, they are one of the construction industry’s most innovative building products. We’re excited to continue our growth in Brunswick County by building the nation’s first manufacturing facility for this product type.”

According to the release, the "probable estimated wage" for hourly employees at the facility, which is expected to be at least 75,000 square feet, is $52. That estimate includes cash benefits, such as overtime, vacation or other pay incentives, the release stated.

Established in 2023 by building product industry veterans and experts, the company already has research and development operations in Brunswick County and a facility in Wilmington, which is expected to produce its first full-sized boards in July as a precursor to the bigger operation in Brunswick.

Brunswick County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Forte stated in the release, “We are so pleased to have US MgO expand their presence in our community, and we look forward to seeing their growth in the coming years.”

According to the release, county economic development agency Brunswick Business & Industry (BBID), the county and company officials have worked over the past 24 months "to make sure that US MgO could use the county-owned property for its operations."

The purchase includes multiple tracts with unique geographical challenges, BBID Board Chairman Allen Bryant stated in the release.

“The property was difficult to develop, which is why we have been marketing for property for many years without success,” said Bryant in the release. “Today represents the culmination of multiple efforts by many people, and we are so thankful that US MgO is able to utilize this property and create jobs and investment in our community.”

The release said Brunswick County acquired the four parcels to be sold in the Leland Innovation Park from the now-dissolved Brunswick County Economic Development Commission.