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Council approves $121,500 local grant to land proposed UAV manufacturer expected to create 162 jobs
Summary
Council voted to provide a $121,500 local match toward a state incentive to attract a Ukrainian company’s U.S. plant, cited as 162 new jobs with an average salary of about $70,000 and a lowest-paid role at $50,000; the grant carries clawback terms and a requirement that jobs be documented before payments.
FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville City Council on Monday approved a local incentive to help secure a manufacturing investment the city’s economic-development team said would create 162 jobs.
Robert Van, representing the Economic Development Corporation, described "Project Odessa" as the U.S. arm of a Ukrainian firm seeking to relocate and establish a manufacturing operation in Fayetteville. The company, Van said, produces high-flying unmanned aircraft used for data gathering, imaging, radio linking and airborne Wi‑Fi networks. Van told council the company would not export the product from the U.S. operation and that the CEO of the U.S. division is a U.S. citizen.
The council approved a $750 per-job incentive to match state discretionary grants, with a total local grant of $121,500 payable in installments after jobs are created; the package includes clawback provisions if the company fails to maintain the jobs. Van described workforce supports and training partnerships with Fayetteville Technical Community College and said many positions would be open to veterans transitioning from Fort Bragg.
On compensation, Van told the council, "The lowest paid position is $50,000 a year," and he estimated an average pay of about $70,000. The city’s economic modeling projected additional indirect and induced employment in the local supply chain; Van said roughly 28 more jobs were expected locally from the company’s operations and related spending.
The proposed incentive prompted a sharp exchange. Councilmember Andre McMillan raised ethical concerns about recruiting companies tied to defense-related technology, saying, "What happens when a war becomes business?" and urging the council to weigh moral implications as well as jobs. Supporters countered that the technology has civilian uses and that the local economic benefits — training, stable wages and opportunities for veterans — fit the city’s workforce goals.
Council voted 9–1 to approve the incentive package; Councilmember McMillan cast the lone recorded dissent. The grant is contingent on the company documenting job creation, and payments will be prorated to the number of qualifying positions actually created.
