Jan. 10. Lynddahl Telecom America (LTA), a duct solutions company for fiber optics installations, will create 54 new jobs in Gaston County. The company will invest more than $5.6 million over the next three years to establish its first North American plastic extrusion production site in Belmont.

LTA specializes in product development and customization as a supplier of complete duct solutions for fiber optics for the international telecom industry. LTA will begin operations with a 55,000-square-foot facility to manufacture the protective conduits for fiber-optic cables.

New positions created by LTA will include production managers, plastics engineers, administrative officers, and production technicians. Salaries will vary by position; however, the average annual wage is $60,315, exceeding the Gaston County average of $50,746. These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $3.2 million for the region.

LTA is receiving a performance-based grant of $100,000 from the One North Carolina Fund which provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and create jobs.

Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.