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Council backs county incentive for Project Dove, citing job and investment estimates
Summary
Belmont’s council voted unanimously to support a county Level 4 incentive for “Project Dove,” a proposed manufacturing investment estimated at roughly $80 million that staff says could create about 386 jobs with an average annual salary near $60,211.
Belmont City Council unanimously approved a resolution on July 7 supporting Gaston County’s Level 4 incentive for a proposed manufacturing project known as Project Dove.
City staff said the project (presented by Donnie Hicks of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission) envisions approximately $80 million in total investment, including about $12 million in building customization and roughly $68 million in machinery and equipment. Staff estimated the project would create about 386 new jobs with an average annual salary of about $60,211 — figures staff told council exceed the three‑year county average for Gaston County.
Donnie Hicks, speaking for the applicant, explained that the company operates in the pharmaceutical sector and that the county, state and municipality would enter a three‑party economic development agreement if the site is selected: “...it is not a guarantee,” Hicks said, noting multiple competing North Carolina sites remain in contention and that state incentive packaging plays a role in the final decision.
City staff confirmed the county had already approved the county portion of the incentive and that the city’s resolution is the municipal step in a multi‑jurisdictional process. Several council members asked standard vetting questions about site selection, state approvals and the form of the subsequent economic development agreement; staff said the resolution is a front‑end approval that precedes a negotiated, three‑party agreement subject to council review.
Why it matters: Project Dove represents a potential large capital investment and hundreds of jobs in the regional manufacturing sector. Council’s resolution signals municipal cooperation in the multi‑jurisdiction incentive package; the final project remains contingent on site selection, state approval, and negotiated development agreements.
Council’s action: Motion to approve the resolution was made and seconded; the resolution passed unanimously.
