Integro to build in 300 block of South Main

SALISBURY — Integro, a high-tech firm in Salisbury, plans to move its operation to the 300 block of South Main Street and build a $4 million facility where the Farmers Market and former GX Fitness now stand.

Vice President Shawn Campion said his company’s decision hinges on the city bringing the future school central office to the other end of the block. The city plans to borrow $8 million on behalf of the Rowan-Salisbury School System for a new central office, after Rowan County commissioners killed the project.

“We didn’t feel comfortable making the investment without the school central office going there,” Campion said.

Integro is headquartered in Salisbury on North Lee Street, where the firm employs 14 people with an average salary of $72,500. Campion said the company will have 25 high-tech workers in Salisbury by 2014. Integro has four additional locations in the U.S. with a fifth location in the works.

Integro plans to partner with Rowan-Salisbury Schools to support the STEM initiative, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

“I need engineers,” Campion said.

City Council will hold a public hearing March 5 on Integro’s offer to buy the property for $250,000. Council is waiting to hear proposals from city staff about borrowing $8 million for the central office. The school system would pay back the money using state sales tax earmarked for capital outlay.

Parking for Integro and central office employees would be located behind the 41,000-square-foot Integro building, which would stand at the corner of East Bank and South Main streets.

Read more in Tuesday’s Post.