In 2001, Sterling Ball decided to institute a higher than minimum wage at the plant. The entry level wage would be $10.10 per hour. One-third of the then-current workforce of 226 people got a raise. He cited the need to attract and retain high quality employees, and the moral responsibility to provide his employees with a decent income. In a New Times interview he said, "it's contrary to a lot of traditional business theories, I know, but I did it because it's the right thing to do, fundamentally."