030617 III Project PineClosed Session III – Project Pine— March 6, 2017
At 8:30 p.m., 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 Allen, Frye, Haywood, McDowell and Kidd were
present. Also present were County Manager Hal Johnson; County Attorney Ben Morgan;
Aimee Scotton, Associate County Attorney; Amanda Varner, Clerk to the Board; and
Randolph County EDC President Bonnie Renfro.
Randolph County EDC President Bonnie Renfro said this is an international company that
is Danish owned (trades on the Danish stock exchange) with global operations. They are seeking
a shovel ready site for a new engineered textile, state of the art production facility. The product
will be a non -woven textile suitable for use in diapers, incontinence, and feminine hygiene
products. The company has operations in Denmark and Malaysia with 600 employees. They
also own a smaller German company that is able to custom print on the non -woven product. This
would be their first US or North American production facility. The conglomerate has other
holdings in the automotive sector with production lines in Illinois.
They are considering the rail -served portion of the former Goodyear / Thomas Tire property in
north Asheboro for new construction. They require rail, heavy power, natural gas, and easy
access to major highways. The project is on the fast track. She said the client visited the site in
January. This site is the only NC site under consideration. Ms. Renfro was unsure how many
other states were in contention. There is also property beside the parcel being considered that
could be purchased for future expansion. They estimate 140 direct jobs would be created and 35
indirect. Average wages are yet to be determined.
Ms. Renfro said the client's board would meet on March 16th for site presentation. She said
the client has not asked for anything yet, but felt they should be ready to respond with potential
incentive information that could include assistance with rail spur construction (grants), a
performance based incentive grant that would be based on estimated tax revenues, and any other
applicable assistance. She said the client would like to begin operations in mid -2018 with full
production in 2023. It was the consensus of the Commissioners that the EDC negotiate with
Project Pine if the project moved forward and the client asked for incentives.
At 8:35 p.m., closed session ended on this topic.
David Allen, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Stan Haywood
Kenny Kidd
Maxton McDowell Amanda Varner, Clerk to the Board