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Martin County approves conveyance of 9.87 acres to GVW Ruddell Management for industrial buildings
Summary
The Board unanimously approved a resolution to convey 9.87 acres at the NC Rail & Industrial Park to GVW Ruddell Management and authorized an economic development agreement under terms requiring at least 20,000 sq ft of construction within five years; the package includes clawback and buy‑back protections and build‑to‑suit marketing by the developer.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously to convey 9.87 acres at the NC Rail & Industrial Park to GVW Ruddell Management and to approve an associated economic development agreement intended to attract industrial tenants and jobs.
Chairman Joe R. Ayers said the county's goal is to broaden the tax base and create employment opportunities by offering land while the developer finances and constructs buildings. "This helps us offer ready buildings to prospects who otherwise skip Martin County," Vice Chairman David "Skip" Gurganus added during the public hearing.
Under the resolution adopted April 9, GVW Ruddell Management agreed to construct building site improvements and at least one 20,000‑square‑foot industrial or commercial structure within five years; the site could ultimately accommodate up to 80,000 square feet. The resolution sets the fair market value of the tract at $149,665 and states the probable average hourly wage at the prospective facility would be about $22.00 per hour, above the county median of $14.68 (2024 U.S. Census). The wage estimate was provided in the public hearing record by county staff and the resolution as the basis for the county's economic finding.
Developer representative Dean Taitz described timing and lease expectations: after permits are secured, construction could take roughly eight to 18 months, and the company will have two years after certificate of occupancy to secure a tenant for the initial building. Taitz said the agreement contains a developer nonperformance remedy: if the company fails to meet agreed obligations ownership may revert to the county after a defined period. He described lease structures used by the developer, including tenant guarantees, and said the developer expects to market the shell or build‑to‑suit space aggressively.
Residents raised questions during the hearing about who would pay if a building remained vacant. Commissioner Ronnie Smith pressed whether the county could become liable for a long lease if the building went unoccupied; Taitz and County Manager Batts said the agreement includes a clawback provision and that county buy‑back or lease remedies would apply only under specified conditions. County Manager Batts and Taitz clarified the county would not automatically assume ongoing lease payments if a building is leased within the developer's two‑year marketing window; however, if the building remains unleased beyond contractual deadlines, the agreement provides pathways for the county to reclaim the site or for other remedies to be applied.
Martin Community College President Dr. Tabitha Miller urged the Board to incorporate the college's workforce‑training capabilities into marketing efforts. Mayor Charlotte Griffin of Bear Grass and other officials urged the Board to take the opportunity to create jobs and reverse long‑term population decline.
The Board voted 5–0 to adopt the conveyance resolution and to approve the development agreement. The resolutions and contract language were developed and reviewed by county staff and the county attorney; the final conveyance and related documents will be executed by the chairman as authorized by the motion.
Next steps include executing the conveyance documents, finalizing the developer's site plans and beginning joint marketing led by the developer and the Martin County Economic Development office.
