Quartz Corp closure raises economic worries across Western North Carolina

Quartz Corp’s indefinite shutdown at its Spruce Pine facility on Altapass Highway cut roughly 20 to 30 jobs from a plant that sits at the center of one of Western North Carolina’s most important industrial clusters. The loss sent fresh concern through Mitchell County and neighboring communities, including Buncombe County, where paychecks from the mountain economy help support spending at local shops, restaurants and service businesses.

The company said its other U.S. locations would not be affected and blamed persistent international challenges in the renewable energy market for the decision. Quartz Corp said the restructuring was meant to improve efficiency and strengthen its long-term position. That explanation landed against the backdrop of a community that had only recently been dealing with Hurricane Helene, when the company said its assets were largely preserved and operations were gradually restarting. Quartz Corp also said as much as 25% of its workforce had been dedicated to local community response work after the storm.

The stakes in Spruce Pine go well beyond one payroll. The town is home to some of the world’s highest-quality quartz deposits, and Sibelco and Quartz Corp together supply an estimated 70% to 90% of the world’s high-purity quartz used in semiconductor-related manufacturing, solar panels and fiber-optic cables. In 2024, Wayne Peight said around three-quarters of Spruce Pine had a direct connection to the mines through work or family ties, a measure of how quickly a facility closure can spread through households, vendors and downtown commerce.

The state also has a formal role when a company closes a plant or announces a mass layoff. North Carolina Department of Commerce rules require a WARN notice in those cases, creating a paper trail as local leaders assess the fallout. Downtown business owners in Spruce Pine have already voiced concern about the economic impact, and the ripple effects could reach farther as the reduced payroll works its way through the region’s stores, restaurants and suppliers.