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AB Tech pitches "Futures Factory"; commissioners approve $5M Article 46 match and authorize due diligence on co-application
Summary
AB Tech asked Buncombe County to pledge $5 million from Article 46 funds as a match for an EDA grant to build a 70,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing "Futures Factory." Commissioners approved a $5 million budget amendment, recorded a chair recusal, and empowered county staff to vet and proceed on co-application details.
AB Tech and regional partners presented the Western North Carolina "Futures Factory" proposal at the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners meeting on Aug. 19 and asked the county to pledge $5,000,000 from Article 46 sales-tax funds as half of the local match for a planned federal Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant application.
Doctor Gossett, representing AB Tech, described a proposed 70,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing center to be sited on donated land in Biltmore Park West and said the project would combine training, applied research, pilot production and leased space for manufacturers. "The expectation is 0 cost to the county upon maturity," Gossett said, describing a sustainability plan based on leases, grants and other revenue. He said AB Tech Foundation would serve as lead applicant and that the college had letters of support from state and federal officials and regional partners.
Why this matters: AB Tech and regional economic-development groups said the facility would accelerate workforce training, support small and mid-size manufacturers and generate high-wage jobs. The North Carolina Department of Commerce provided an economic-impact estimate the presenters cited: roughly 1,000 direct manufacturing jobs and, with indirect effects, about 2,750 total jobs over 10 years; the presenters also cited a projected $30,000,000 federal grant and $10,000,000 in local match commitments (including $5,000,000 from AB Tech Foundation and the county).
Board actions and process: Chair Edwards recused themself from the budget-amendment vote because AB Tech Foundation is the lead applicant and the chair said the application could have a financial appearance-of-interest. Vice Chair Moore presided over that portion of the item. The board voted to approve a budget amendment transferring $5,000,000 from Article 46 fund balance to support AB Tech's match requirement. After discussion about co-applicant duties, the board then voted to authorize the county manager and county attorney to do expedited due diligence and, if appropriate, to allow the county to serve as a co-applicant pending review of obligations.
Questions and clarifications: Commissioners asked whether county operational costs or long-term liabilities were expected; Gossett described revenue-generation models (leases, self-sustaining continuing-education courses and patents) and said AB Tech's goal was no net county cost at maturity. County staff said the $5,000,000 would be taken from previously received Article 46 fund balance and that the county would vet co-applicant obligations before signing any grant documents. County staff also noted the grant program is nationally competitive and encouraged prompt submission.
Ending: Commissioners approved the budget amendment and empowered staff to pursue and review a co-application. The grant decision timeline described by presenters was 6 to 8 months after submission; final acceptance of any federal award would return to the board for formal acceptance and any required agreements.
