Newton approves incentives, grant agreement to attract Pasta Piccinini to former 721 Shea Road facility

City Council voted unanimously to approve two agreements designed to attract Pasta Piccinini to a 67,500-square-foot facility in Newton and to help the company convert part of the building to food-grade production.

Nathan Huret of the Catawba County Economic Development Corporation told the council the company plans to convert an initial 22,500 square feet for production, with major upgrades including HVAC work and roof modifications. Huret said the company estimated an initial investment of approximately $2.25 million in real property improvements and $750,000 in equipment, with five-year projections of at least $7.0 million in total investment and creation of 27 new jobs (he cited an average wage exceeding $48,028).

The council approved an Economic Development Agreement that conditions incentives on a minimum $3,000,000 investment in the property and creation of at least 27 full-time positions. The council also approved a Building Reuse Grant Agreement required by the North Carolina Department of Commerce to access an anticipated $175,000 state Building Reuse Grant; the agreement requires the company to request grant disbursements in two phases tied to creation and retention of 13 and then 27 jobs for six months each. Huret said the City’s share of the required 5% local match would be $8,750 (split with Catawba County), and staff noted the City would not secure the grant with a deed of trust.

Mayor Pro Tem John Stiver and council members expressed no objections; with no public comment in favor or against the project, the council closed the public hearing and approved both motions.

The approvals authorize the mayor to execute the agreements; the state and county processes and the company’s fulfillment of job and investment targets will govern actual disbursement of grant funds and tax incentives.