Union County approves incentive grant to keep McGee Corporation headquarters, manufacturing expansion
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Summary
The Union County Board of Commissioners approved a step-4 economic development incentive grant of up to $696,000 to McGee Corporation to help secure a proposed $40 million investment, retain 163 jobs and create 35 new jobs over three to five years.
The Union County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 20 approved a step-4 economic development incentive grant to McGee Corporation — known in the application as Project Canopy — to help secure a proposed $40 million facility and equipment investment and keep the company’s manufacturing headquarters in Union County.
County economic development staff recommended a performance-based grant not to exceed $696,000, to be paid over five years beginning in fiscal 2028, based on the county tax office’s appraised value of the company’s investment each year.
Ron Veil, Union County’s economic development director, told the board that McGee Corporation is a fourth-generation manufacturer of steel-frame canopy systems headquartered in Stallings since 1961. Veil said the company currently employs 163 people, about half of whom are Union County residents, and reported an average annual wage of about $63,000 with full benefits. The project described in staff materials would include purchase of 60 acres near Charlotte–Monroe Executive Airport, a new 360,000-square-foot building and new production equipment.
Under the terms presented, the county’s grant would be performance-based and contingent on the company’s investment and maintenance of employment levels. County projections in the presentation estimated that, over the same five-year period, the new taxable investment would generate about $868,000 in ad valorem taxes, though actual revenue will depend on annual appraisals and the tax rate.
McGee officials at the meeting — Swee McGee, president of manufacturing, and Todd McGee, president of operations — joined economic development staff to answer questions. Commissioners who spoke during the item praised the company’s local history and said they supported keeping the business in the county.
The county did not place a recorded roll-call tally in the minutes; the item was decided by voice vote after a motion to approve, and the chair called the motion approved.
Tax office valuation, the precise schedule of grant payments, and the specific conditions for annual performance payments were those described by staff during the presentation.
The board’s approval moves the incentive to the next administrative steps; county staff and McGee Corporation representatives said they are available to finalize the contract terms and to complete required appraisals and other due diligence.
