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Council approves $115,000 incentive for Coco LLC to renovate long‑vacant East Durham building
Summary
Council approved a $115,000 economic development agreement with Coco LLC to renovate a historic building at 10004 Morning Glory Avenue; staff said the grant leverages about $593,000 in private investment and could create several living‑wage jobs over three years. The vote was 4–3 after some council members described fiscal constraints.
Durham City Council authorized a city economic development grant of up to $115,000 for Coco LLC to renovate a 1,300-square-foot production and tasting facility at 10004 Morning Glory Avenue in East Durham.
Staff from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development said the project is expected to attract roughly $593,000 in private investment and produce a modest number of locally based jobs. Coco representatives said they expect two to three jobs in the near term and potentially eight to 12 jobs over three years and committed to make those living-wage positions when possible.
Supporters of the incentive — including several East Durham residents and business advocates — called the project the kind of intentional, small-scale investment appropriate for corridors that have experienced long-term disinvestment. A speaker noted the grant is relatively small compared with larger downtown incentives and said the project could anchor further neighborhood revitalization.
Opponents and skeptical council members said they sympathize with the project but were not convinced the investment produces sufficient economic multiplier effects in a tight budget year. The motion to authorize the manager to execute the agreement passed 4–3.
What to watch: Council debate addressed the trade-off between small, locally owned projects that aim for neighborhood impact and scarce city dollars during a budget shortfall. Staff said project-specific conditions and living-wage commitments were included in follow-up materials.
