Kirby Robinson, director of Community and Economic Development, told the Board of Commissioners that Forsyth County has 29 incentive agreements either completed, active or approved and that completed projects have generally outperformed original estimates for capital investment and tax benefits.
The numbers matter because the county uses incentives and infrastructure investments to attract or retain businesses, increase tax base and create jobs with benefits.
Robinson presented a five‑year summary: 12 incentives are completed, four are active (payments underway) and 13 are approved but not yet paying. Across completed incentives staff said companies had initially estimated about $481 million in capital investment and about 2,000 jobs; actuals to date outperformed estimates. Active and approved incentives account for several hundred million dollars more in projected capital investment and roughly 1,500–580 new jobs depending on the cohort. Robinson noted that incentive payments are capped at 50% of net new taxes and that payments are calculated with both capital investment and jobs components; underperformance on hiring can reduce annual incentive payments even when capital investment targets are met.
Staff described use of state grants alongside local incentives. Commerce building reuse grants and 1NC (Governor’s Office) grants have supplemented local packages; Robinson said the county has administered several such grants and that local staff ensure reimbursement and compliance. He said six building reuse grants had been awarded and two were pending in staff records.
Robinson also reviewed infrastructure projects intended to make industrial sites marketable: a roughly completed two‑and‑a‑half‑mile Highway 65 waterline extension (federal funds plus county/Utilities Commission contributions) with about $450,000 in remaining funds; a Tanglewood Business Park sewer installation funded by a $2.4 million Commerce grant now at 90% design; and the larger Wahlberg/Southeast Forsyth County Sewer Expansion, funded by a $19.7 million state appropriation and moving toward design‑build selection. Robinson said leftover funds from Highway 65 would likely be used to support low‑ and moderate‑income households connecting to the new line and that staff is coordinating legal and outreach steps.
On workforce development Robinson emphasized the LEAP apprenticeship model that brings on‑the‑job apprentices through community college partnerships. He said since 2019 there have been more than 200 LEAP apprentices; for the most recent year the county supported cohorts with 38 apprentices (fall), 27 (spring) and 20 (summer), and nine incentive companies were participating. Robinson said the county’s active incentive companies had an average annual wage of about $60,000.
Robinson closed by noting staff would continue to evaluate the county’s Business Assistance Guidelines and seek board direction on any potential updates.