Commissioners approve up to $2.35 million incentive for confidential 'Project Nickel'

The Union County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 3 to award a step-4 economic development incentive grant not to exceed $2,350,000 over a five-year period to a confidential project identified as Project Nickel.

Ron Mayo, the county’s economic development director, told the board the project is an existing company with headquarters in another state that plans to build a 50,000-square-foot processing facility in Union County and install specialized production equipment. Mayo said the company expects a capital investment of approximately $100 million and the creation of 65 full-time jobs with an approximate annual average wage of $78,000.

Mayo said the project would generate an estimated $2.94 million in ad valorem taxes over the grant period based on anticipated investment and that the incentive is intended to enhance the business case for locating the facility in Union County. Mayo requested the step-4 economic development incentive grant in an amount not to exceed $2,350,000, beginning in fiscal year 2028.

During the public hearing on the item, one resident, Joel Downs of Wesley Chapel, spoke in favor of pursuing the project and suggested the county make the award contingent on the state incentive approval. After the public hearing, a commissioner moved to award the grant and to authorize the county manager to negotiate and execute an agreement substantially consistent with the agenda item. The motion passed by voice vote; the board did not record an individual roll-call tally in the public transcript.

The award is contingent on the county manager’s ability to negotiate an agreement substantially consistent with the board’s action and on anticipated state-level incentives, which Mayo said are expected to be announced within approximately two weeks.

No company name was released at the board’s request because state economic-incentive processes require the governor’s office to announce participant awards first.