By Karissa Minn
kminn@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — Three years after the county approved incentives for its expansion in Salisbury, Henkel Corp. is now asking for help to add even more investment and jobs.
The Rowan County Board of Commissioners will consider increasing its incentives to the company at 6 p.m. Monday. The board meets on the second floor of the J. Newton Cohen Sr. Rowan County Administration Building.
According to RowanWorks Director Robert Van Geons, Henkel has nearly completed an initial expansion at its plant off Cedar Springs Road, which produces industrial and electronics-related adhesives.
The company has requested a modified incentive agreement to help it grow even more.
“Currently, Henkel is considering a new and separate expansion project (Project Reel) that would invest an additional $10 million in equipment and create an additional 16 new jobs,” Van Geons wrote in a memo to commissioners.
This would bring the total investment from $25 million to $35 million, and the total number of new jobs created by June 30, 2013, from 103 to 119. RowanWorks is proposing changes in the original agreement to reflect these increases.
In addition, commissioners will consider another project that staff say could bring money to the county.
The board voted in November to move forward with plans for a 150-foot-by-100-foot aircraft storage hangar at the Rowan County Airport. Now that a design has been created, commissioners will decide Monday whether to build it.
The building would be used as a community hangar and house monthly tenants, with a vacant spot available for pilots seeking shelter from inclement weather. It would be large enough for a corporate jet.
Thad Howell, airport director, says the estimated potential revenue for the county is $33,350 per year.
Also at Monday’s meeting, commissioners plan to:
• Consider a resolution supporting the establishment of Cardinal Innovations Healthcare Solutions to operate as a managed care organization in 15 counties, including Rowan.
This would consolidate four existing area organizations, including Piedmont Behavioral Healthcare (PBH), which serves Rowan, Cabarrus, Davidson, Stanly and Union counties. These agencies manage public funding for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities and substance abuse services.
• Consider implementing the National Association of Counties’ dental discount program.
• Hold public hearings for the proposed names of Pacific Drive for a road south off the 2500 block of South River Church Road, High Fields Drive for a road off the 1600 block (incorrectly listed as the 1900 block) of Sloan Road, California Drive for a road west off the 400 block of Joe Rankin Road and Amberjack Drive for a road east off the 1800 block of Emanuel Church Road.
• Hold a public hearing for an address change from 101 A. Bare St. to 501 Carter St. According to planning staff, the existing address is not recognized by the county and does not meet the criteria set by the county’s road naming ordinance.
The property owner, Anthony Bare, said he thought the driveway had been named through proper procedure.
• Hold a public hearing for a request to rezone 3.15 acres at 280 Sassy Lane from commercial, business and industrial to rural agricultural. The parcel is part of a 6.4-acre property owned by Terry E. Hyde and Tim Eddleman.
• Approve an ambulance franchise application for Quality Care of Rowan County. The company, currently known as Quality Transport, had been transporting stretcher patients in the back of a conversion van.
After being notified that this violates state regulations, the company now refers stretcher patients to franchise provider NuCare Carolina, which refers wheelchair patients to Quality. County approval of the application would allow Quality to seek a provider license from the state and receive its own ambulance permit.
• Approve a resolution supporting the Elections Boards Association of North Carolina maintenance of effort requirement for the release of Help America Vote Act Funds. If the state continues to include a $650,000 match in its budget, $4 million in federal funds will be provided by the State Board of Elections for counties to improve their elections process.
• Authorize a pyrotechnics display for the Faith Fourth of July Celebration.
• Set a date and time for a public hearing for the fiscal year 2012-13 budget.
• Hold a closed session to discuss personnel issues.
Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.
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