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Commissioners extend Gusmer job deadline and terminate Poppelmann agreement
Summary
The Board unanimously approved an amendment extending Gusmer Enterprises' job-creation deadline to Dec. 31, 2026, and approved termination of the Poppelmann economic development agreement after Poppelmann failed to meet required job milestones; a planned public hearing for American Fuji Seal was held but final approval was delayed for contract-term changes.
At its Aug. 4 meeting the Catawba County Board of Commissioners approved multiple economic development items, including a first amendment to the Gusmer Enterprises Economic Development Agreement and a termination of the county's incentive agreement with Poppelmann Plastics.
The Board approved an amendment to the 2021 Gusmer EDA that extends the deadline for creating 73 net new jobs from the original schedule to Dec. 31, 2026, and preserves the jobs-maintenance period through Dec. 31, 2028. The amendment also confirms an overall average annual wage target for the new jobs of $44,000. Vice-Chair Austin Allran moved approval; the motion carried unanimously.
Separately, staff recommended and the Board approved termination of the January 18, 2022 Economic Development Agreement with Poppelmann Properties USA LLC and Poppelmann Plastics USA LLC after the companies met the investment threshold but did not achieve the required net new jobs. Commissioner Robert C. Abernethy Jr. moved the termination and the Board voted unanimously to authorize the closing-out of administrative matters related to the project.
The Board also held a required public hearing on an economic development agreement with American Fuji Seal. County staff noted American Fuji Seal sought contractual changes after public notice; the hearing proceeded for procedural compliance but the Board deferred final approval pending revised contract terms from the company's counsel.
County Economic Development staff said the Gusmer amendment preserves the County’s ability to enforce incentive recapture provisions tied to job creation and clarifies tax-receipt deductions used in any repayment calculation. The Poppelmann termination similarly removes an underperforming agreement so the county may close related files and move forward with other local economic initiatives.
All votes on these items were recorded as unanimous at the Aug. 4 meeting.
