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Commissioners approve revised EDC grant policy after heated public hearing
Summary
After more than two hours of public comment, the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners held a supplemental public hearing on the county's annual appropriation for the Cabarrus County Economic Development Corporation and then approved a revised Economic Development Grant Program; a separate motion to abolish county funding failed.
Cabarrus County commissioners on Wednesday held a supplemental public hearing on the county's annual appropriation to the Cabarrus County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) and then approved a revised Economic Development Grant Program effective December 2023.
The hearing opened under North Carolina General Statute 158-7.1, which requires a separate public hearing for economic development appropriations, and drew dozens of speakers who alternately defended and criticized the EDC's role in recruiting and supporting businesses.
Justin Moore, a business owner and longtime resident, told the board that "incentives make up only a small part of what EDC handles," and described programs that support local startups and small businesses, including Venture Mentoring Services and a Retail Boot Camp. Barbie Jones, president and CEO of the Chamber Leading Business in Cabarrus, said the EDC supports workforce development and programs such as the county's Career Connections Day and Grow Cabarrus.
Opponents argued that county funding creates an improper relationship between public dollars and private employers. Rich Wise, a town councilman and county resident, said, "The EDC should not get any money from the county. Our taxpayers pay enough." Multiple speakers raised concerns about tax burdens on residents and whether incentives mainly serve political ends.
During deliberations the board considered two sharply different proposals. A motion to sever county relations with the EDC and abolish the Economic Development Grant Program (while honoring existing contracts) was moved but failed by a 3-2 vote. Commissioners then voted 3-2 to accept the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners Economic Development Grant Program revised and effective December 2023.
Commissioner Kim Workman (making the motion to sever relations) and other commissioners debated alternatives, including a proposed compromise to allocate a portion of incentive returns to public safety and schools. That compromise was discussed but not adopted as part of the prevailing motion.
Supporters presented local examples of return on investment. Nick Bieseet, an engineer and partner at Daylight Engineering, cited data saying CellGuard's property taxes produced substantially more revenue than the incentives the company received. Steve Steinbacher and Mark Spitzer, local business owners, urged the board to remain competitive in recruiting employers that create jobs and expand the tax base.
The board's action affirms the county's continued financial relationship with the EDC under its updated policy. Commissioners said they will continue to review program parameters in coming months.
Less urgent details: the hearing was scheduled because the FY26 budget ordinance approved June 16, 2025, included a $400,000 line that differed from an earlier public hearing; that discrepancy is why this supplemental hearing was required.
