c020303Closed Session — February 3, 2003, 5:30 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. the Board adjourned to closed session to discuss matters relating to the location
or expansion of business in the area, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4). Commissioners Kemp,
Frye, Holmes, Mason and Davis were present, as well as County Manager Frank Willis; Alice
Dawson, Clerk to the Board; Cheryl Ivey, Deputy Clerk; County Attorney Alan Pugh; Staff
Attorney Aimee Scotton; and Bonnie Renfro from Randolph County Economic Development
Corporation (EDC).
Ms. Renfro updated the Board on Project Hunger (The Cheesecake Factory), which is a
California-based food processing manufacturer seeking a shell building for its sole East Coast
manufacturing and distribution facility. The site being considered in Randolph County is Liberty's
Shell Building #2. Other sites being considered are located in Lexington, Salisbury, Goldsboro,
Kinston and Wilson. The potential investment is $10-12 million with 100 new jobs in phase I and
500 jobs in phase 2. The company plans to make its site selection sometime in February with plans
for production start-up in January 2004.
Ms. Renfro asked the Board to consider a cash incentive package and said that she felt the
Town of Liberty would match the County's offer. It was the consensus of the Board to offer this
company a performance-based economic incentive package of $264,000. Ms. Renfro mentioned
that she would inform the Town of Liberty of the County's intent prior to the Liberty Town Council
meeting scheduled later in the evening.
On motion of Davis, seconded by Frye, the Board voted unanimously to resume open session
at 5:46 p.m.
Phil Kemp, Chairman
J. Harold Holmes
Robert O. Mason
Darrell L. Frye, Vice Chairman
Robert B. Davis
Cheryl A. Ivey, Deputy Clerk to the Board