c031014III (Project Rover)Closed Session III (Project Rover) March 10, 2014
At 10:00 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; County Ben Morgan; Aimee Scotton, Associate County Attorney;
Cheryl Ivey, Clerk to the Board; and Bonnie Renfro, Randolph County EDC President.
Bonnie Renfro, EDC President, informed the Board about an international company that is
seeking a 50 -100 -acre greenfield site for a foundry and machining operations. The company has
very heavy power requirements plus average use of other utilities. Investment is projected at $48
million (Phase One at build out) and $34.9 million (Phase Two at build out). The company
projects 254 new jobs with Phase One and 96 additional jobs with Phase Two). The average
annual wage would be $30,000 — $40,000, not including benefits.
Ms. Renfro said that Phase One is a foundry to be ramped up in the 2015-2017 time period.
Approximately 9-18 months later, the company would set up a machining operation (Phase
Two). Seventy-five percent of the jobs will require a semi -skilled and skilled workforce. The
company supplies the automotive market. The company is considering sites in Randolph and
Davidson Counties and King and sites in other states.
Ms. Renfro said that she presented the 311 South site and the former Goodyear site (building
to be removed) to the company. The company said that they would consider the 311 South site
but they were not interested in the former Goodyear site. Ms. Renfro said that the only known
obstacle in the project would be Duke Energy's timeline to extend transmission level service to
the 311 site. It is doubtful that the service could be up and running in the timeline required by the
company.
The Commissioners asked Ms. Renfro to offer the former Goodyear site to the company
again since the site appears to be a perfect fit for this type of operation.
Ms. Renfro said that she would keep the Board informed on any new developments with this
project.
At 10:06 p.m., closed session ended on this topic.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman Darrell L. Frye
Kemp
Stan Haywoo
Arnold Lanier Cheryl A. Ivey, Clerk to the Board