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West Jefferson board approves roughly $1 million in incentives for Project Pandora
Summary
The West Jefferson Board of Aldermen unanimously approved an incentive package for Project Pandora comprising roughly $1 million in combined county, town and Ashe County Job Development funding; officials said a full announcement is expected by year’s end.
The West Jefferson Board of Aldermen unanimously approved an incentive agreement for Project Pandora on Nov. 3, 2025, in a 5-0 vote after a brief public hearing that drew no comments.
Assistant County Manager Nick Farmerie told the board the package would provide $390,000 from the county, $300,000 from the Town of West Jefferson paid over three years, and $310,000 from Ashe County Job Development over two years. Farmerie said an announcement with additional project details should be made by the end of the year.
Mayor ProTem Rusty Barr opened the public hearing at 9:10 a.m.; with no members of the public speaking the hearing was closed at 9:11 a.m. Alderman Stephen Shoemaker moved to approve the incentive agreement and Alderwoman Beth Shelton seconded; the board recorded a 5-0 vote in favor.
The record shows the motion passed without amendment or recorded dissent. After approving the incentive agreement, Mayor ProTem Barr moved to adjourn the special meeting; Alderman John Reeves seconded and the board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
The meeting packet and minutes identify the attendees and staff present: Mayor ProTem Rusty Barr; Aldermen Calvin Green, John Reeves, Beth Shelton and Stephen Shoemaker; Town Manager Brantley Price; Assistant Town Manager Rebecca Eldreth (who also attested the minutes as town clerk in the signature block); and Town Attorney Jak Reeves. The minutes list a start time of 6:00 p.m. on the meeting header but record the call to order at 9:09 a.m.; the minutes do not reconcile that discrepancy.
No statutes, ordinances or grant contract numbers were cited in the minutes. The board and county representatives described only the funding commitments and the expected timing of a public announcement; the minutes do not specify the nature of the investment or any conditions tied to the incentives.
