ROCKINGHAM — One local manufacturer will get a significant tax break for its recent expansion.
The Richmond County Board of Commissioners approved an economic development incentive agreement with Centre Ingredient Technology during its meeting on Sept. 9.
CIT, located in the industrial park off of Midway Road, was acquired by the Japanese firm Takasago International Corporation in 2016, according to an article in the National Provisioner.
Economic Developer Martie Butler said CIT is expanding and adding new lines to its Rockingham facility.
Additions include two new boilers, a chiller, fermenter and a new building. The project also includes a public water line expansion.
Butler said the company is investing around $5 million and adding 14 jobs. There are currently around 12 employees.
The incentive, Butler added, is performance-based.
“They will pay their taxes each year and based upon what they pay, they will be refunded up to 50 percent of those taxes for that year,” Butler said.
According to the agreement, grants may be provided for up to five consecutive years.
“This is our opportunity to put our best foot forward and show them that we are a business-friendly environment here in Richmond County,” Butler said.
Commissioners approved the agreement following a public hearing with no public input.
Prior to that, the board held a public hearing regarding the naming of a road off of Boyd Lake Road to James Lynn Way.
Map showing the proposed site of James Lynn Way in Hamlet.
Richmond County Government
Emergency Services Director Bob Smith said the small dirt road previously served as a driveway for one residence.
However, Smith said there have been requests for new houses along the road.
“So to make it easier for us to be able to find them,” Smith continued, speaking from a public safety standpoint, “we recommended to them that they name the road.”
All resident landowners have signed a petition stating they wanted it to be named, Smith said.
The board approved the request, following another silent public hearing.
Commissioners also approved a resolution related to the Cordova wastewater project.
Public Works Director Jerry Austin said the resolution was a requirement for the county to move forward in the application for a $150,000 grant.
The only cost to the Public Works Department, according to Austin, is a 1.5% application fee if the grant is awarded.
Austin said this grant would pay for a study on the Cordova sewer system from an engineering firm. Once the study is complete, the county will be able to apply for a larger grant for the project.
The RO will have more from the meeting in later stories.
