By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó The town board will conduct its first-ever public hearing this evening on giving incentives to industry.
Sustainable Textiles Group proposes to invest $10 million in equipment and improvements at the former Hanesbrands plant at 308 E. Thom St. The company estimates it will create 223 jobs.
Town Manager Bill Pless said Monday he hasn’t received information from the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission on the exact terms the company seeks from the town.
Pless said it would be a percentage of the taxes due over a number of years, similar to industrial incentives offered by Rowan County.
The town has not previously offered tax rebates to lure industries, but Pless said, “We’re in unique times.”
The company is seeking reimbursement of 75 percent of all real and personal property taxes paid to the county for five years.
Robert Van Geons, executive director of the Economic Development Commission, will meet with the board and spell out the incentive proposal.
In other matters, the board will:
– Conduct a public hearing on rezoning three properties on Main Street, including the Swink House owned by Atlantic American Properties and the Rowan Child Academy.
According to town officials, each of the parcels currently has two zoning designations ó one in the front and one in the back. The rezoning would change all three to central business.
– Set a public hearing for the 2010 budget. The board will begin work on the budget Thursday, holding its first work session at 6 p.m.
– Conduct a public hearing on changes in the floodplain maps.
The Board of Aldermen meets at 7 tonight at the Municipal Building, 105 Swink St.