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c090401Closed Session — September 4, 2001, 5:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. the Board adjourned to closed session to discuss matters relating to the location of expansion of business in the area, pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11(a)(4). Commissioners Frye, Holmes, and Davis were present, as well as County Manager Frank Willis; Alice Dawson, Clerk to the Board; Cheryl Ivey, Deputy Clerk; Alan Pugh, County Attorney; Aimee Scotton, Staff Attorney; Bonnie Renfro from Randolph County Economic Development Corporation; Mike Walker, Seagrove Mayor; and Darius Luck with Luck's Corporation Bonnie Renfro told the Board that Wade Technical Molding is looking to expand and relocate somewhere within Randolph County. They are currently located on N. Fayetteville Street in Asheboro. With the relocation, they estimate the creation of 44-55 new jobs within 24 months with a potential investment of $4.35 million in capital equipment and $2 million in real property. They look to make a decision in early fall of 2001 regarding their new location. Luck's Corporation, which has just announced that they will be closing sometime in 2002, has offered to sell their wastewater system. The system specifications are as follows: • Currently permitted for 41 million gallons per year (125,000 gpd) with spray field operation • Use is 20-24 million gallons per year (60% of capacity) • Lagoon has 500,000 gallons capacity (3 days holding capacity) • Currently using 40 acres for wastewater system • Luck's owns adjacent 60 -acre site, of which 29 acres available for expansion of system • Can support up to 3 0-3 5 million gallons of additional capacity per annum • Tax valuation of treatment system, spray field land, and reserve land equals $65,000 • Estimated cost to develop the reserve land is $350,000 • Estimated cost to build a system of comparable structure based on a $10/gallon cost is $1,200,000 • Estimates based on dated figures provided by Land Design Environmental • Estimated minimum asking price for the system is $1.2-1.5 million The Town of Seagrove has expressed interest in acquiring the wastewater system from Luck's using the following possible funding sources: • $600,000 + remaining grant funds from N.C. Rural Center • CDBG up to $440,000 for the Wade Technical Molding existing industry project (Town of Seagrove applicant) • USDA bond financing or state clean water or revolving fund sources • $75,000 RBEG from USDA for Wade Technical Molding project (EDC applicant) • Local public sources as needed Next, Ms. Renfro updated the Board about an automotive -related company who is interested in obtaining 60-200 acres for construction of a large distribution facility (2 million sq. ft.) and who could potentially provide a $250 million investment and 100 jobs (Phase One) for the county. They are interested in the west side of Liberty Business Park and the southern half of the South Liberty site. The company requires a rail spur track, extension of water and sewer to the site, and industrial access from NC 49 and may require the construction of an on-site water tower. The company initially stated their intent to use unionized workers, but now say that they do not wish to eliminate non-union communities from consideration. Ms. Renfro also mentioned that a Japanese -owned auto parts producing company, who requires 130 acres for construction of a 600,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and potentially could provide a $100 Million investment with about 500 jobs, is also looking at the west side of Liberty Business Park. On motion of Davis, seconded by Holmes, the Board voted unanimously at 6:20 to adjourn from closed session and resume regular session. Darrell L. Frye, Vice Chairman Robert B. Davis J. Harold Holmes Cheryl A. Ivey, Deputy Clerk to the Board