By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó A Rowan County business is considering an expansion that would create 49 new jobs and invest nearly $3 million in the county.
Commisisoners will vote Monday on setting a public hearing for June 20 about proposed incentives for the project.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners will hold its regular meeting at 3 p.m. on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Rowan County Administration Building.
ěProject Treeî employs about 200 workers at an existing location in the county, RowanWorks Director Robert Van Geons said in a memo to commissioners. The average salary of the new jobs would be more than $37,000.
ěThis proposed project would be a new, separate and additional operation for the company,î he wrote. ěThey propose to purchase, refurbish and occupy a vacant industrial building in Rowan County.î
He said the company is considering multiple locations in the Southeast. It would invest more than $2.6 million in real estate and new equipment, which does not meet the minimum requirements of the countyís investment grant program.
ěHowever, this requested grant would directly support an existing business in their efforts to grow and create jobs,î Van Geons wrote.
RowanWorks is requesting that the county consider a performance-based grant of $765.31 per job created with a maximum of $37,500.
ěThese funds will be leveraged against other potential state, local and private sector grants,î Van Geons wrote.
In addition, the board will hold a public hearing Monday regarding a business that would bring 40 to 70 jobs to the county and invest about $10 million.
RowanWorks has recommended a land deal incentive to help Granite Cold Storage LLC build a warehouse in Granite Quarry.
The company has offered $15,000 per acre for 22 acres of a 114.3-acre property on Heilig Road, which is valued at about $17,000 per acre. Granite Cold Storage also has requested a ěright of first refusalî of 23 adjacent acres for future expansion.
After a recess, the board will hold two public hearings on fiscal year 2011-12 budgets proposed by the volunteer fire departments (5:30 p.m.) and the county (7 p.m.).
Also at Mondayís meeting, commissioners plan to:
Schedule a quasi-judicial hearing about a conditional use permit for Davidson County Broadcasting. The company wants to build a 1,200-foot broadcast tower on property owned by Richard L. and Dorcas Parker in Mount Ulla.
Consider transfer documents that would sell Rowan Countyís share of Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium to the City of Kannapolis for $3 million, to be paid over 50 years at no interest.
The county will charge 3 percent interest on payments deferred for the first two years at the cityís request.
Consider a memorandum of understanding between the county and Rufty-Holmes Senior Center about moving programs to the nonprofit when the senior services department dissolves on July 1.
Recognize the Salisbury High School Menís Golf Team as 2A State Champions and North Rowan High School Menís Outdoor Track Team as 1A State Champions.
Consider several budget amendments and board appointments.
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.