County may offer $155K for six jobs

Incentives will also help company invest in equipment

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: December 23, 2009

The McDowell County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Monday about a local industry that plans to expand its operations and hire six new people.
The commissioners will hold the public hearing at 4 p.m. Monday in the first-floor boardroom at the County Administration Building. The hearing will be about "proposed economic development incentives for a local industry expansion."
County Manager Chuck Abernathy said he could not name the existing industry or say what kind of operation it is. He said this company could decide to go with another location in another county.
Abernathy, who is also the county's economic development director, said representatives of the company are expected to attend Monday's public hearing.
The expansion involves the investment of $4.1 million in equipment and machinery and the creation of six new jobs at "wages exceeding the average local wage." The county is proposing to give an incentive of $155,000 that would be paid over a five-year period. The money would be used for building improvements and equipment purchases.
"This one happens to be a major investment in machinery and equipment," said Abernathy. "We're happy with the six jobs."
Abernathy said he, county officials and the McDowell Economic Development Association have other projects that they will continue to work on in 2010.