By Jessie Burchette
Salisbury Post
CHINA GROVE ó Aldermen have set two public hearings concerning a new industry that may locate on N.C. 152 near Hitachi.
Robert Van Geons, executive director of the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission, met in closed session with the Board of Aldermen Tuesday night to discuss the industry, dubbed “Project Cornmeal.”
Van Geons said Wednesday the project would create 15 or more jobs at above-average wages.
He declined to answer questions about the company, saying full details will be shared at a special meeting of the Board of Aldermen Nov. 10.
China Grove officials said the company investment would be $2 million or more.
Van Geons will also meet with the Rowan County Board of Commissioners to discuss the company and various issues.
The issues deal with infrastructure. The company is not seeking incentives.
China Grove Mayor Don Bringle said the closed session Tuesday night focused on the town providing sewer to the site from an existing line at the back of the Hitachi plant on N.C. 152.
Under the proposal, the town will seek a Community Development Block Grant to pay the costs of installing the sewer line.
The town already has water at the location.
Bringle said it’s a potential win-win situation for the town.
After the closed session, the board set the first hearing on the block grant application for 7 p.m. Nov. 3.
A second hearing will be held at a special meeting Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. At that point, full details of the industry will be disclosed.