c090605-II Assurance GrouptClosed Session II (Assurance Group) — September 6, 2005
At 6:20 p.m. the Board, already in closed session on another matter, began discussion on a different
matter relating to the location or expansion of business in the area served by the Board, pursuant to
NCGS 143-318.1l(a)(4). Commissioners Holmes, Frye, Davis, Kemp and Lanier were present. Also
present were Frank Willis, County Manager; County Attorney Alan Pugh; Alice Dawson, Clerk to the
Board; Cheryl Ivey, Deputy Clerk to the Board; and Bonnie Renfro from Randolph County Economic
Development Corporation (EDC).
Bonnie Renfro briefed the Board on The Assurance Group, which is a distribution center for 6-7
major insurance companies, and is located in Trinity. They want to open a new customer service/call
center operation near their existing offices in Trinity. The call center will be both outbound and
inbound. They will tie a direct mail center into this new call center operation. Outbound is setting up
appointments for their major customers across the nation and inbound is verification calls to agents
currently outsourced by their customers. The company estimates $3.5 million in new facilities (2
40,000 sq. ft. facilities in 2 phases) and $1 million in electronic and equipment. They estimate 500 new
jobs at $8-$12 per hour for 90% of the jobs and $25,000-$35,000 for 10% of the jobs. They hope to be
operational by March 2006. They require sewer access estimated at $410,0004600,000. The City of
Thomasville has agreed to provide sewer service to the location but will not fund the infrastructure.
Ms. Renfro's suggested incentive is a $700,000 CDBG with a local match estimated at $175,000.
Closed session on this topic ended at 6:25 p.m.
J. Harold Holmes, Chairman
Phil Kemp
Arnold Lanier
Approved: October 3, 2005
Unsealed: February 6, 2006
Darrell L. Frye, Vice Chairman
Robert B. Davis
Cheryl A. Ivey, Deputy Clerk to the Board