The $3 billion Indian automotive parts manufacturer, Bharat Forge America Inc., is getting more than $3 million in grants to build a new facility in Sanford, North Carolina.

“We are delighted to make our biggest overseas investment in North America, in the state of North Carolina, which offers excellent advantages and a strong talent pool,” Amit Kalyani, deputy managing director at Bharat Forge, said. “Importantly, this also brings us closer to our customers in North America.”

Bharat Forge’s $127.3 million investment is part of a Job Development Investment Grant that helps offset the cost of doing business in the state.

The state’s Economic Investment Committee approved the grant, which qualifies the company for a $3.5 million reimbursement over a period of 12 years.

In exchange for the tax incentives, Bharat Forge will stay in North Carolina for 12 years, which is expected to create roughly $787.1 million in economic growth, Cooper estimates. Bharat Forge also agreed to invest $393,700 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund to help finance rural infrastructure projects.

“Global industrial manufacturer Bharat Forge is making its largest overseas investment in Sanford because our quality workers along with our other resources will help drive demand for their products,” Gov. Roy Cooper said.

Bharat Forge, part of the Kalyani Group of companies, is headquartered in Pune, India.

Bharat Forge will spend $127.3 million on an aluminum forging plant and a manufacturing center, which is expected to create 460 jobs in the state for craftspeople, machine operators and technicians.

The current unemployment rate in Lee County, where the facility will be located, is high at 5.7 percent.

Critics argue that offering tax incentives waste taxpayer money because companies generally expand without them. Instead, improving the state’s overall tax and business climate is a fairer way to grow jobs, they argue.

However, Sen. Jim Burgin, R–Harnett, said the decision “will bring jobs and new vitality to our community. “Everyone in our region will work hard to help Bharat Forge and its new plant find success in North Carolina.”

The average salary at Bharat Forge will be $47,056, slightly higher than the county average of $41,567.