c020314I (Brookline Furniture)Closed Session I (Brookline Furniture) February 3, 2014
At 7:50 p.m., the Board convened closed session on a matter relating to the location or
expansion of business in the area, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4). Commissioners Holmes,
Frye, Kemp, Lanier and Haywood were present. Also present were County Manager Richard
Wells; Will Massie, Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer; County Attorney Ben Morgan;
Aimee Scotton, Associate County Attorney; Cheryl Ivey, Clerk to the Board; and Bonnie Renfro,
Randolph County EDC President.
Bonnie Renfro stated that Brookline Furniture is a 27 -year-old contract furniture company
that plans to relocate from High Point to Archdale. Projected investment is $2,250,000 to
purchase and renovate a vacant building and $225,000 - $250,000 in new equipment. Eleven new
jobs are promised and seventy-two jobs will be relocated. The company offers a full range of
benefits, including 401K, life, disability and dental insurance, and 75% of the employees' health
care premiums. The average wage is $29,894 (varies by position).
Ms. Renfro said that the company plans to purchase and relocate to a vacant 102-000 sq. ft.
building (formerly occupied by Woodmark, Dar/Ran and Foleys) in the Archdale Industrial Park.
The building, which has been vacant for 16 months, needs repairs at an estimated cost of
$252,000 to make it reusable for their needs.
The company has requested assistance from the Building Reuse Grant Program. If approved,
the grant would fund up to $110,000 based on 11 new jobs. The grant requires that a unit of local
government make the application and administer the project, and agreeing to a 5% match or
$5,500. Ms. Renfro said that the City Archdale will apply for the grant and she recommended
that the City of Archdale and the County split the match at $2,750 each. The application is due to
the NC Department of Commerce by February 14, 2014. Ms. Renfro reported that Archdale has
scheduled a special called meeting for this project on February 11.
Following discussion, the consensus of the Board was to provide a $2,750 match to the City
of Archdale for the Building Reuse Grant. The Chairman directed the Clerk to schedule a public
hearing on the matter at their March 10th meeting.
At 8:00 p.m., closed session ended on this topic.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Stan Haywood
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board