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Commission approves Project Chicago incentives and re‑encumbers 9‑1‑1 equipment funding
Summary
Surry County commissioners voted to proceed with incentives for Project Chicago, an existing Mount Airy employer proposing up to $1 million in investment and 3–5 jobs, and approved re‑encumbrance for 9‑1‑1 call‑handling equipment billed at $74,047.21; both actions were passed during the Jan. 5 meeting.
Surry County commissioners approved two remaining business items on their Jan. 5 agenda: a performance-based incentive package for an existing Mount Airy employer and an allocation to cover previously budgeted 9‑1‑1 call‑handling equipment.
Economic incentive for Project Chicago Blake Moyer, president and CEO of the Surry County Economic Development Partnership, presented Project Chicago — an existing Mount Airy company — and said the firm is considering a Mount Airy expansion versus a competing option in another state. Moyer described a proposed incentive of 80% over five years (performance-based) tied to up to $1,000,000 in local investment and 3–5 new jobs; the City of Mount Airy had already approved similar incentives. After a brief public hearing the board voted to proceed with the project under the county manager’s terms.
9‑1‑1 equipment allocation approved Communications staff asked the board to approve an allocation for previously requested call‑handling equipment that was budgeted in FY24 but not re‑encumbered in the new cycle. Staff said the vendor billed $74,047.21. Commissioner Hite moved to approve the request and the board approved it.
Other routine items The board approved consent-agenda items earlier in the meeting, including a waste-haulers nonexclusive franchise, a NextApp Pure upgrade (additional hard drives, $129,713.52 noted in county remarks), and Budget Amendment No. 9. Commissioners also read letters from Millennium Charter Academy students thanking the board for funding a school resource officer.
What to expect next Staff will finalize the Project Chicago incentive agreement and return with draft contract language and performance terms for the board to approve as needed. The communications/911 team will document the re-encumbrance in finance records.
