Powerhouse Recycling looks to expand, commissioners to consider helping

Published 12:05 am Sunday, March 1, 2020

SALISBURY — Rowan County commissioners on Monday will consider an incentive request from Powerhouse Recycling, which plans to expand and add 56 jobs.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the project and approve or deny the request during its meeting at 3 p.m. at the Rowan County Administration building, located at 130 W. Innes St.

Called “Project Toaster,” Powerhouse Recycling is planning an expansion of 100,000 square-feet at its current facility, located at 220 Ryan Patrick Drive. The expansion would add 56 full-time jobs and invest $4.25 million. A memo from Scott Shelton, vice president of the Rowan County Economic Development Commission, said the company has outgrown its current space.

To expand, Powerhouse must move a public sewer line in the back of its property, according to the memo from Shelton. The Rowan EDC is working with the company and the City of Salisbury to apply for a state grant that would pay for a large portion of the sewer line relocation. Additionally, the company and the Rowan EDC are requesting that county government consider awarding a one-time grant match of $10,000 from its Economic Development funds as a show of support for the project.

Other items on the agenda include:

• A request to approve a 10-day closure of the runway and all taxiways at the Mid-Carolina Regional Airport for an upcoming taxiway rehabilitation project.

Monday’s agenda documents say the National Guard as well as helicopters for the Highway Patrol and Novant Health MedFlight will be able to operate.

Closing the taxiway and runway would allow for a reduction in the project costs by approximately 25%, according to Mid-Carolina Airport Aviation Director Valerie Steele. A consecutive 10-day closure would alleviate the need for multiple phases that add up to 35 total days of closure for the project.

• Commissioners will vote on architectural plans for a new Waffle House on Statesville Boulevard near the West End Plaza. Plans are to develop an outparcel of West End Plaza, which the county owns, that sits adjacent to Fidelity Bank.

• A public hearing for the HOME Funding Action Plan. Currently, Rowan County anticipates receiving approximately $147,000 in project funds for fiscal year 2020-21, with a recommendation for the board to allocate or match 25% of the project funds. Eligible program activities in the county application include rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing, down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers, demolition and new construction.

• An update from Committee B of the Planning Board with revised standards and recommendations for changes in regard to the six-month solar farm moratorium enacted in December. The committee’s study involved the comparison of adjoining county ordinances, inventory of current sites in the county, material from the UNC School of Government and discussion from different perspectives in the solar industry and community stakeholders.

• A request to relocate Piedmont Skydiving from its current location to the west side of the runway at the Mid-Carolina Regional Airport.

• A request to schedule a quasi-judicial hearing for a permit that would authorize the occupancy of two treehouses and the addition of five more units at the Cherry Treesort property in the China Grove area. Currently, there are a total of five treehouse units on site used for rental purposes, which are considered “cabins” under the Rowan County Zoning Ordinance. If commissioners approve Monday’s agenda item, it would allow the property to reach a total of 15 units.

• A request for $25,000 to repair areas of the RiverPark at Cooleemee Falls that were damaged due to storms. The request is for the board to appropriate the funding to match appropriated funds from Davie County.

• A request for CommScope to donate items to the Nature Center.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.

About Natalie Anderson

Natalie Anderson covers the city of Salisbury, politics and more for the Salisbury Post. She joined the staff in January 2020 after graduating from Louisiana State University, where she was editor of The Reveille newspaper. Email her at natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com or call her at 704-797-4246.

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