Commissioners approve Project Yacht incentive, federal transit grant applications and several rezoning requests; Blue Thunder hearing postponed

The Davidson County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 8 approved a performance-based economic incentive for Project Yacht, authorized federal transit grant applications, approved several rezoning requests and postponed a separate public hearing on the Blue Thunder project until Oct. 27. The board also held a closed session on property acquisition and attorney-client matters.

Project Yacht: The board approved a performance-based incentive agreement for Project Yacht, a nonwoven textile manufacturer proposing a Lexington expansion at 647 Hargrave Drive that staff said would create 80 jobs with an average wage of $54,000 and a capital investment figure presented in the packet. The incentive is described in the draft agreement as a three-year performance incentive capped at $150,102 and applies to an incentivized portion of capital investment; the motion was approved with the condition that the form of the contract be approved by the county attorney’s office.

Federal transit grants: County staff presented the board with federal grant applications to submit through the N.C. Department of Transportation Integrated Mobility Division and, for some grants, directly to the Federal Transit Administration now that Davidson County is a direct recipient. The applications included administrative and capital grants (including FTA 5310, 5311 and related capital purchase and replacement grants). The board opened the public hearing on the grants, heard no public comment and approved submission of the applications.

Rezoning approvals: The board approved several rezoning requests after public hearings and staff reports. Notable approvals included: - Roger Beasley: property at Valiant Drive (former Cook's Barbecue) was rezoned from CURC (conditional use rural commercial) to CZRC (conditional zoning rural commercial) to allow Beasley to operate a landscaping/home-improvement business, with conditions covering hours, fencing, lighting and storage. Beasley said he plans to live in the front portion of the building as a caretaker and install fencing and lighting for security. - Jared Albright: property on Old Lexington Road was rezoned from RA3 to CZRC to permit a small landscape business; the applicant said equipment would be stored inside, lighting would be limited to building-mounted fixtures and hours would be restricted to daytime work. - PBD Winston-Salem LLC: property on N.C. Highway 150 in Arcadia Township was rezoned from RA3 to HC (highway commercial). Neighbors raised concerns about stormwater and erosion; staff and commissioners noted the location is surrounded by highway commercial zoning and cited the county land development plan in support of approval. - Hills Family Properties LLC: a smaller parcel that had been rezoned to HC was rezoned back to RA3 to reflect existing residential use and allow rental of a dwelling unit.

Blue Thunder and other items: The board agreed to continue the Blue Thunder public hearing to Oct. 27, 2025, at 6 p.m., after staff reported the project is still working through state-level reviews. The board also moved into and then returned from a closed session; afterward the county attorney reported the board had discussed acquisition terms for two parcels of real property and received legal advice on one attorney-client matter. The board also noted approval of a release related to courthouse damage paid by an insurance company; staff said the county will receive reimbursement.

Why it matters: The Project Yacht incentive and the federal transit grants commit staff to negotiate agreements and submit applications that, if finalized, would bring private investment, jobs and transportation funding to Davidson County. The rezoning approvals change land-use designations in multiple areas and reflect staff determination that most requests aligned with the adopted Davidson County Land Development Plan.

Votes at a glance: The meeting record shows motions carried by voice vote on the incentive agreement (subject to county attorney approval), approval to submit federal transit grant applications, approval of rezoning requests for Roger Beasley, Jared Albright, PBD Winston-Salem LLC and Hills Family Properties LLC, and a motion to continue the Blue Thunder hearing to Oct. 27, 2025. The meeting record did not list roll-call tallies for these voice votes.

Ending: Commissioners closed the meeting after reconvening from closed session and directing staff to proceed on the property-acquisition discussions and contract review steps noted in closed session.