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Board approves pursuit of NC Railroad microgrant to study industrial site
Summary
Alexander County economic-development staff identified two parcels for industrial-site evaluation and sought a North Carolina Railroad microgrant of up to $50,000 to fund environmental and technical studies; commissioners approved pursuing the grant and study work at no county cost.
Alexander County commissioners voted to pursue a North Carolina Railroad microgrant to fund studies evaluating two parcels identified for industrial development.
Michael Worley, the county's economic-development director, told commissioners the microgrant program provides funding "for development site evaluations, such as environmental site assessments, wetland stream delineations, boundary, and other surveys" and said the county identified parcels 0062292 and 0067284 on W.E. Babb Industrial Drive for study. Worley said the grant would offset study costs and "the county will not pay a dime." The board asked clarifying questions about the grant source and the technical scope; Worley said the initial phase would determine whether the property is developable before any purchase is presented to the board.
Why it matters: Worley said the grant and resulting studies aim to remove site-development barriers and increase the county's inventory of shovel-ready industrial sites. Commissioners approved the request by voice vote, authorizing staff to apply for the microgrant and proceed with the grant-funded studies.
Next steps: Staff will pursue the NCRR microgrant, complete the phase-1 environmental site assessment and related studies if funded, and return to the board with findings and any recommendation on purchase or further investment.
