210301 Closed Session Red River
Closed Session Î March 1, 2021 Î Project Red River
At 8:20 p.m., the Board convened in closed session on a matter relating to the location or
expansion of business in the area, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4). Chairman Darrell Frye,
Vice-Chairman David Allen, Commissioner Maxton McDowell, Commissioner Kenny Kidd, and
Commissioner Hope Haywood were present. Also present were County Manager Hal Johnson,
Assistant County Manager/Finance Officer Will Massie, County Attorney Ben Morgan, Associate
County Attorney Aimee Scotton, Deputy Clerk to the Board Sarah Pack, and Clerk to the Board
Dana Crisco. Also present were EDC President Kevin Franklin and EDC Business Recruitment
Director Crystal Gettys. Required social distancing was maintained throughout the meeting due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Gettys discussed the potential expansion of a company with a customer base on the East
Coast. This company is planning to create 25 jobs with an average wage of $49,000. They have
looked at a site in Liberty a few miles from the Megasite. There is not water or sewer currently
available at the site. They are not a large user of water and sewer and are willing to consider being
annexed. This is a competitive project. The company is looking at sites in SC, VA, and GA.
Ms. Gettys feels like the Liberty site is in the top two choices of the customer. Incentives will
need to be offered to remain competitive. One incentive could be to have the water and sewer in
place but defer annexation for ten years while they pay outside water and sewer costs but no town
taxes. She was asking for a consensus for the County to offer 50% of the incentives for up to six
years. If the County could fund the entire infrastructure then allow the Town of Liberty to start
reimbursing the County in year seven for half.
Commissioner Allen suggested there could be additional users of the water and sewer in the
nearby subdivisions.
Chairman Frye inquired if there may be ancillary businesses that would come to Randolph
County as well.
Commissioner Kidd said if the County provides the infrastructure, the town exempts the
company from taxes, and ancillary companies come, there could be a nice increase in employment.
Ms. Gettys said she would get some answers from the customer and bring those back to the
Commissioners in April.
At 8:55 p.m., discussion on this topic ended to address another economic development project
in Closed Session.
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Darrell Frye, Chairman David Allen
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Kenny Kidd Maxton McDowell
3/1/21