Craven County approves $300,000 incentive for Project Emerald in industrial park

The Craven County Board of Commissioners approved a grant agreement and accompanying resolution to support Project Emerald, a private development proposed for the Craven County Industrial Park. The economic development office presented the project; Jeff Wood said the developer expects an initial investment valued at about $2,000,000 and anticipates a warehouse at 120 Corporate Lane to be in service by Dec. 31, 2029, with future development valued at roughly $4 million to $5 million. The county will provide a $300,000 infrastructure grant paid in five annual installments of $60,000, described in staff materials as provided pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 158-7.2.

One citizen, Albert Lester of Havelock, spoke during the public hearing in support of the project, praising the investment and saying it would bring jobs to the community. The board opened and closed the public hearing without further public speakers and then voted on the grant agreement. The clerk recorded a roll-call vote approving the agreement; commissioners voted as recorded: Commissioner Hunt — Yes; Commissioner Mitchell — Yes; Commissioner Smith — Yes; Commissioner Howard — Yes; Vice Chairman Jones — Yes; Chairman Booker — Yes. The motion carried and staff were authorized to execute documents necessary to finalize Project Emerald.

Why it matters: The project adds industrial inventory in the county’s industrial park and the county’s five-year infrastructure grant is intended to offset initial site costs to attract private investment and jobs. The project details in staff materials include a planned facility at 120 Corporate Lane and the developer’s projection of additional investment by 2029.

What's next: County staff were authorized to execute the grant agreement and related documents; specific employment numbers and additional incentives were not specified in the public record.