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Council authorizes sale of 5.29-acre industrial park parcel to Project Fala, citing 75 jobs and $2M initial investment
Summary
Beaufort County economic development officials told the council that Project Fala, a composite pool manufacturer, would buy 5.29 acres in the Washington–Beaufort County Industrial Park for $20,000 per acre, create about 75 jobs and bring at least $2 million in initial capital; council authorized city officials to finalize the sale.
The Washington City Council on April 13 authorized city officials to work with county counterparts to sell a 5.29-acre parcel in the Washington–Beaufort County Industrial Park to Project Fala, an international composite swimming-pool manufacturer that staff say would establish U.S.-based operations in Beaufort County.
Susan Squires, Beaufort County economic development director, told Council that Project Fala proposes purchasing the parcel at $20,000 per acre for a total of $105,800 and expects to create approximately 75 new jobs with an initial capital investment of more than $2 million. The company would be required to meet its capital investment commitments within two years, and the proposed agreement includes a reversion clause to protect the city and county if conditions are not met.
Mayor Pro tem Nick Fritz moved to authorize the sale and to allow city staff to execute the necessary documentation in coordination with county officials; the motion passed on a recorded vote. Council did not receive public comment in opposition during the hearing.
City and county staff said a workforce-development team will help fill jobs projected by the project and that the parcel is co-owned by the city and county; Council authorized officials to proceed with the sale and closing paperwork.
Next steps include final legal review and closing coordination between the City of Washington and Beaufort County, and Project Fala’s compliance with the two-year investment schedule will be monitored under the reversion clause.
