c010713_II Project LibertyClosed Session II (Project Liberty) January 7, 2013
At 7:57 p.m., the Board, already in closed session on another matter, began closed session on
a different 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; Ben Morgan, County Attorney; Aimee Scotton, Associate County Attorney; Cheryl
Ivey, Clerk to the Board; and Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County EDC President.
Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer Will Massie reported that former Governor
Perdue, in her final days in office, decided that the $5 Million grant from the Department of
Commerce that the State had set aside in its budget for Randolph County to utilize for the
Liberty mega site, should not go to Randolph County alone. Rather, requests for proposals were
distributed to 11 local governments seeking their applications for a portion of the grant. Seven
governments responded with their applications and three were awarded with equal $1,666,666
grants. Randolph County was one of the recipients. Mr. Massie said that no matching funds from
the County are required. The grant is to be used for site development at the Liberty mega site.
County Manager Richard Wells said that 637 acres of land located at the proposed Liberty
mega site has been offered to ALPATH LLC (the limited partnership formed to oversee the
development of the Liberty mega site) for $5.9 Million. The owner of the 637 acres, Dexter
Blakely, is eager to sell and has offered a contract on the property with a $30,000 non-refundable
deposit in which the acreage would be held for 12 months. Mr. Wells said that in addition,
another 98.9 acres adjoining the Blakely property to the north, owned by Nancy Lindley and
Ferment Lindley, is also available for $315,000. Mr. Wells recommended using the $1,666,666
grant to purchase the 98.9 acres and to make a deposit on the 637 acres as soon as possible. Mr.
Wells said that he planned to meet with attorney David Joseph, who is a member of ALPATH,
on Wednesday. Mr. Joseph has been heavily involved with negotiations of land acquisition for
the mega site. After meeting with Mr. Joseph, Mr. Wells said that he would also meet with H.R.
Gallimore, who has also been working on the project with Mr. Joseph, in order to proceed with
the purchase of the properties, if agreeable with the Board.
The Board authorized Mr. Wells to proceed with these meetings and to report back to them.
At 8:13 p.m., on motion of Frye, seconded by Haywood, the Board voted unanimously to end
closed session.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Stan Haywood
Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board