Edenton council approves grocery-store incentive for Carly C’s contingent on final contract

The Edenton Town Council on July 14 unanimously approved a contingent incentive agreement to bring an IGA‑style grocery operator identified at the meeting as Carly C’s to the Eatonville Shopping Center, Mayor Hyde said.

Mayor Hyde said the council will not provide any upfront cash. “There’s no money upfront,” Mayor Hyde said, and any incentive payment would be evaluated only after the business has been open for a full year.

Corey, a town staff member who presented the proposal, told the council the agreement uses two types of credit — sales‑tax and utility credits — and that the town would perform a 12‑month review after the store opens before any incentives are paid. “This agreement requires a 12 month waiting period after the opening of the business to review whether the business has met its terms of the agreement,” Corey said. Staff also described annual reviews for up to five years to monitor performance.

The council and staff discussed budget timing. Mayor Hyde and staff said the incentives would not create a fiscal-year impact this year; any town payout would be first visible in the 2027–28 budget if the store meets the performance benchmarks. Council members encouraged Chowan County to join the incentive package and asked staff to provide the final, amended draft language before the town signs the agreement.

Councilmember comments emphasized the project’s potential to spur additional private investment. One council member noted leasing interest from other retailers contingent on the grocery lease being finalized and said approval could trigger follow‑on deals.

The motion to approve the grocery‑store incentive agreement was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with the approval explicitly conditioned on the final legal draft being acceptable to the town’s attorneys and staff.