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Gaston County commissioners approve three economic incentive grants and endorse FY26 NCDOT transit grant application
Summary
The Gaston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved three five-year Level 1 economic incentive agreements for Project Flower, Project CAPT and Project Daisy Gator and authorized a FY2026 NCDOT community transportation grant application, approving required local matches.
GASTON COUNTY, N.C. ' The Gaston County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 19 unanimously authorized three Level 1 (five-year) economic development incentive agreements and approved the county's application for a FY2026 NCDOT community transportation grant.
Commissioners voted to authorize an economic development agreement with Project Flower, a botanical-body-care manufacturer planning to lease and upfit a 20,000-square-foot facility in Gastonia, invest about $1,500,000 in building improvements and machinery and create 22 new jobs with an average annual wage of approximately $55,000. Alicia Summey, economic development assistant director, presented the project during the public hearing.
The board also approved an agreement with Project CAPT, an existing Gastonia firm proposing a $3,500,000 investment in its local operations and the creation of 10 jobs at an average salary near $56,000, and Project Daisy Gator, which plans an initial $2,000,000 fit-out of a vacant building with additional machinery investment and future job creation. Summey said each of the three proposals was processed as a Level 1 incentive and will be heard by Gastonia in October as required by local review procedures.
On transportation, Tawana Littlejohn, the county's transportation coordinator, described the FY26 Community Transportation Program grant the county seeks: $235,261 for administration (with a 15% local match of $35,290) to cover salaries, benefits, training and scheduling software, and $495,700 in capital funding to replace four vehicles that have met their useful life. The board authorized submitting the application and providing the required local match.
All four items passed on voice votes after motions by commissioners; the clerk recorded unanimous "Aye" votes for each measure.
Why it matters: The incentives are intended to retain or expand local manufacturing and bring back production jobs; the transportation grant will fund essential rural transit services and vehicle replacement. The board's approvals permit county staff to finalize agreements and pursue state grant funds.
What's next: Summey said Gastonia will consider the incentive items in October as part of local review; the county will proceed with the NCDOT application process and, if awarded, will implement vehicle replacement and administrative activities noted in the grant application.
