Council pushes for proactive economic development; housing funds, Northpointe cited as tools

Council and staff focused much of the workshop on economic development and workforce housing, identifying Northpointe and the recently negotiated Novant site sale as potential catalysts. Mark said the town is aligning a point person to link housing and economic development work and highlighted outreach to small and minority businesses.

Why it matters: Councilors argued that without proactive town efforts and easier redevelopment tools, economic activity will shift off‑island. Several members urged a clearer project list to support potential tools such as a TIF district or seed fund from property sale proceeds to attract private investment.

Details: Staff reported progress on affiliated agency application scoring, a new DMO contract and a planned DMO workshop on marketing deliverables. Northpointe on Jarvis Creek is advancing to a Feb. 1 groundbreaking; staff described ARPA‑funded home‑repair and lateral sewer connection programs ($1.6M spent) and said additional funding sources are being sought. Council asked staff to examine whether proceeds from the Novant sale should be held in a dedicated economic development account and to brief the finance committee.

Attribution: Town Manager Mark, Council members (Tunner, Bryson, Brown) and multiple public commenters. The Housing Action Committee will reconvene in February; staff will identify short‑term tactical steps for retention and recruitment.

Ending: Staff will propose next steps at finance/administrative meetings and bring funding‑option analyses, including TIF feasibility and seed‑fund scenarios, to upcoming budget workshops.