Randolph County commissioners approve economic incentives, zoning updates, two construction contracts and other routine business

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a package of local incentives for a potential precast concrete manufacturer, adopted multiple land-use ordinance updates the county said were required by the state, awarded two construction-related contracts and completed routine procedural business including adopting a budget schedule.

Project Blue Crab, a prospective manufacturer the county's Economic Development Commission (EDC) is courting, would invest an estimated $9.1 million, create about 60 jobs over five years with average wages above $63,000, and qualify for state grants. The board approved a local incentive offer of $92,000 paid over five years as a cash grant-back contingent on the company meeting job and investment commitments; the county will be the applicant for two state grants that require a local match. The board approved the resolution authorizing the county to enter the economic development incentive agreement.

The board adopted text amendments to the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that break the former '1highway commercial'2 zoning category into three new commercial districts with differing permitted uses, add definitions and new use standards, and create a streamlined staff-level approval to allow two dwelling units on a single parcel when one unit is owner-occupied. Commissioners also adopted updates to the county's Watershed Protection Ordinance and related flood-damage prevention elements; staff said the changes implement the state model watershed ordinance and are required unless the county requests and receives state approval for stronger local rules.

On capital projects the board awarded two low bids. The county awarded a turnkey contract for an electronic AgCenter entrance sign to Signage Industries (bid $164,416.23) and authorized the county manager to sign the contract. The board also awarded a construction contract for the Bush Creek pedestrian bridge to Eastern Structures; the low bid received was $987,000, higher than the engineer's estimate, but staff said the county has a state trails grant of roughly $860,828 toward the project and the board approved the contract and manager signature.

The board approved a motion directing that Randolph County continue to operate a single-county local child fatality/child-protection team under incoming state changes to the child fatality system. The board also approved the proposed budget schedule for the coming fiscal cycle and handled routine agenda and consent motions.

Votes at a glance

- Project Blue Crab incentives: motion to approve resolution authorizing county to enter economic development incentive agreement; outcome: approved (unanimous). Local incentive package: $92,000 paid over five years; company anticipates >$9.1M investment, 60 jobs over five years, average wage above $63,000; state grants estimated >$350,000 (local match required). Presenting staff: Crystal Geddes (EDC).

- UDO amendment and adoption: motion to approve amendments to the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance including new commercial districts, definitions, and use categories; outcome: approved (unanimous). Presenting staff: Randolph County planning staff (Tanya, planning staff).

- Watershed Protection Ordinance & Flood Damage Prevention updates: motion to adopt state-required watershed ordinance updates as part of the UDO; outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff said the county may adopt stronger standards later with state approval. Presenting staff: Randolph County planning staff.

- AgCenter entrance sign: award to Signage Industries (base bid $164,416.23) for an LED/electronic double-sided sign and installation; outcome: approved 4-1. Staff noted alternate bid (preferred manufacturer OPTECH via StoneTree) used different LED technology; the board selected the lower-cost Vantage-based bid.

- Bush Creek pedestrian bridge: award to Eastern Structures, low bid $987,000; outcome: approved 4-1. Staff said the bridge is 150 feet, will require a conditional letter of map revision (CLOMAR) because it affects the floodplain and the project sits on state-owned railbed property; a state trails grant of ~$860,828 covers most of the cost but the county's remaining trail work will require additional funds.

- Child fatality/child protection team governance: motion to approve Randolph County remaining a single-county local team under the state's revised child fatality prevention structure; outcome: approved (unanimous). Presenting staff: Tracy Murphy and Tara (public health/child-fatality staff).

- Budget schedule: motion to adopt the proposed budget-calendar schedule; outcome: approved (unanimous).

What the motions mean now

Approving the EDC recommendation for Project Blue Crab permits county staff to sign the incentive/resolution documents and be the applicant for state grant matches required by the company's grant awards; county staff said grant funds would be passed through to the company only after the company met job and investment benchmarks and after legal protections (deed of trust or equivalent) are in place. The UDO and watershed ordinance changes take effect as the county incorporates the adopted ordinance language into its code; staff said the state-required watershed changes cannot be weakened without state approval. Awarding the two construction contracts starts the procurement phase; staff said the state must participate in review and approvals for the Bush Creek bridge because most of the trail and bridge are on state-owned property.

Sources and evidence

This item summarizes votes and formal motions that appear at the Feb. 3 Randolph County Board of Commissioners meeting and were discussed by EDC staff, planning staff, and county project managers.

Ending

Board discussion indicated interest in pursuing additional grant funding to complete trail segments once the bridge is built; staff cautioned that some trail work will require additional county funding. Several commissioners said they view the Blue Crab outreach and UDO revisions as tools to attract investment while protecting residential areas.