Rowan County will share cost of sewer service to China Grove business site

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2009

By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@Salisburypost
Rowan County commissioners have agreed to share the cost of providing sewer service to a China Grove site where a business wants to locate a service center.
The agreement is conditional on the town’s pledge not to forcibly annex any of the area to be served for at least five years.
Altec Industries, a Birmingham, Ala., company that manufactures aerial devices and diggers used by utility and communications companies, plans a service center on N.C. 152 east of the Hitachi Metals plant.
The project has been dubbed “Project Cornmeal,” in reference to China Grove’s history of milling.
Robert Van Geons, executive director of the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission, said the Alabama company will create 15 new jobs paying an average of $41,000 each.
Van Geons said the company will have space for expansion.
Under the plan, China Grove will seek a Community Development Block Grant to pay 75 percent of the estimated $340,000 cost to extend an 8-inch sewer line approximately 3,700 feet from a pump station near Interstate 85.
The town and county will split the remaining 25 percent, estimated to total $85,000.
Van Geons said state officials have indicated the project qualifies for the funds.
Blair Lyseski, China Grove’s mayor pro tem, spoke in favor of the project, saying it will open up additional property along N.C. 152 for industry.
“It’s a win-win for all sides,” Lyseski said. “It will bring jobs.”
Commissioner Jim Sides moved to approve the funding.
“I like this kind of project, the county putting money in infrastructure,” he said. “I’m very much in favor of the county participating.”
Sides added the caveat that the town will have to agree to no forced annexation in the area served by the new line for a minimum of five years.
China Grove Town Manager Bill Pless promised to make that part of the discussion at the upcoming meetings and hearings on the project set for Nov. 3 and Nov. 10.
Commissioners unanimously approved the motion.
Van Geons said the town is ready to move forward immediately with the project. Company officials will be in town next week.
Commissioner Jon Barber asked how the company found the Rowan site.
Van Geons said Altec worked through the Charlotte Regional Partnership’s real estate listings.