gaston county
411 1
GASTON COUNTY Economic Development Commission North Carolina
IMinutes
of EDC Board Meeting
MEETING HELD AT GASTON COLLEGE: KIMBRELL CAMPUS, 7220 WILKINSON BLVD., BELMONT, N.C.
May 10th, 2016 12:00 PM
EDC Board Members(
Voting& Non-Voting):
Present:
Voting: Chairman Fred Jackson, Vice- Chairman Dick Cromlish, Joe Carpenter, Stephen Whitesell, Bob Clay, Jack Brown, Larry Summer, Julie Roper, John Lowery, Non- Voting: Jeff Booker Absent:
Voting: Rondel Guffey, Joel Long, Robert Browne Non-Voting: Brenda Craig
Proceedings:
Call to Order: Chairman Fred Jackson presided. He welcomed everyone and called the May meeting of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission to order. Everyone in attendance introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman Jackson asked for a motion to accept the March meeting minutes. Jack Brown moved that the minutes be approved and Joe Carpenter seconded the motion. A vote was held and the motion passed.
PPSDI Report—Lowell Site- Mansour Edlin: Mansour Edlin displayed a land use map, concept site master plan, and study limits for the Lowell Site Study. Mansour stated the site is located off of North Main Street and N. C. Highway
7- 60. The property is
split
into four
parcels
including
one parcel of
14+- acres that is landlocked adjacent
to George Poston Park. One parcel has 36 acres with an existing Mill Building, one parcel is 8 acres and another is 4 acres. A utility easement passes through three of the sites. Mansour stated potential uses for the parcels include single family, multi-family, senior housing, park land and light commercial. Potential road access is shown as an
extension from North Main Street and connects to the other side of N. C. highway 7- 60 that would provide access to all parcels except the 14 acre parcel. The Site Plan proposed buildings for each parcel. The 14 acre parcel remained park land. The 36 acre site proposed three commercial buildings of 24,000 square feet, 56, 000 square 1]
1 i
Continued:
EDC Board Meeting Minutes May 10th, 2016
feet, and 35,000 square feet. The four acre site could potentially have four small commercial buildings including two 10,000 square foot facilities and two 6, 000 square foot facilities. All proposed site plans could be used for light
commercial. Joe Carpenter questioned the zoning of all parcels. Mansour stated there are two zoning jurisdictions City of Lowell). Mansour further discussed the 3rd Street Extension and concerns from the MPO. MPO stated key issues include heavy peak hour turning movements in downtown Lowell, including
residential and urban
industrial(
heavy truck on NC 7, and the creation of a walkable intersections would be needed at Main and 1St street. Designation
of
GTP, South Ridge, and Summit
as
AT&T Fiber Ready Parks— Carlos Sanchez: Carlos
Sanchez stated that AT& T launched gigapower six months ago to provide gigabit service to customers. Carlos
thanked the EDC and the County for working with AT&T by allowing them to provide fiber to the business parks that will help create economic success in our area. The Fiber Ready parks will attract new businesses as well as help current businesses in the parks operate more efficiently. Providing fiber will also make Gaston County more competitive than counties that do not already provide fiber service. Companies rely on increasing technology to improve productivity and expand markets. Carlos added that employers and developers often ask about the presence of high speed internet productivity in locations before they locate. AT&T has created the Fiber Ready Certificate Program that designates properties that fiber facilities are already in place, making the market more attractive for potential tenants. Carlos stated he is very excited to announce the Gastonia Technology Park, the Summit at Court Drive, and Southridge Business Park as Fiber Ready Parks. These are the first parks in Gaston
County to be designated as fiber ready and receive the AT& T Fiber Ready Certifications. Carlos thanked all Gaston County leaders whom were committed to strengthening the community and he also highlighted all AT&T employees whom were dedicated to making this possible. Carlos then presented EDC Executive Director Donny Hicks, County Commissioner Tom Keigher, and EDC Board Chairman Fred Jackson with AT&T Fiber Ready Certificates for the Gastonia Technology Park, the Summit at Court Drive, and Southridge Business Park. Chairman Fred Jackson thanked Carlos for his hard work and dedication.
Consideration of a Request from the City of Gastonia to Assist Financially with a Pump Station Project for
McAdenville: Donny Hicks stated the Town of McAdenville' s sewage is treated at the McAdenville Wastewater Treatment Plant which is owned by the Town. The plant is over 50 years old and requires replacement. Replacing the WWTP would be a significant fiscal impact to the small town of McAdenville and would require a drastic
increase in sewer rates. The existing WWTP is in the 100-year flood plain and there is not a site nearby that can accommodate a new WWTP. Pharr Yarns LLC owns and operates a second wastewater treatment plant that treats
wastewater flowing from the four large Pharr Yarns industrial facilities located in McAdenville. The Pharr WWTP is approximately half a mile from the McAdenville municipal WWTP. Donny stated the Pharr WWTP is also reaching the end of its effective service life. This is resulting in increased maintenance and operational costs. Additionally, the Pharr WWTP may be required to upgrade to meet possible future increased treatment- discharge standards. Pharr Yarns employs a large number of people in Gaston County and has been in McAdenville since 1939. Mr. Hicks stated the proposed Phase II South Fork Sewer Project will pump wastewater generated from the Town of McAdenville and the Pharr Yarns facilities to the City of Gastonia— Two Rivers Utilities( TRU) wastewater collection system. The wastewater will then be pumped to and treated at the TRU' s Long Creek WWTP, which has
ample available capacity and will treat the wastewater to a higher level than it is currently treated at the McAdenville and Pharr WWTPs. The project will consists of a new wastewater pump station located near the existing McAdenville WWTP, a new 16- inch diameter sewer force main that is approximately 2 miles long that will carry the wastewater from the new McAdenville pump station to the TRU system. The project also includes approximately
2, 000 feet of gravity sewer to increase the capacity of the McAdenville collection system to carry the Pharr
2]
I Continued:
EDC Board Meeting Minutes May 10th, 2016
wastewater to the new pump station. Donny added that the project includes the decommissioning and demolition of the existing McAdenville and Pharr WWTPs.
Michael Peoples added that he has worked on this project for a while and the State is reviewing permits now and easements have been secured. Michael added that over the development time, this project's costs for
construction have increased. The project line would be 11, 000 feet, 2 miles of force main and 1, 500 feet gravity. Michael presented a map overview of the project that displayed the existing WWTPs and the new sewer force main. Michael stated the City of Gastonia is asking the County to provide$ 500, 000.00 in gap financing for the project. Donny stated the County is willing to take$ 100,000. 00 per year for five years starting in July 2017. He also stated the County Commissioners would like to receive a recommendation from the EDC Board to go through with the project. Bob Clay added that this project is a regional project, not just a Town of McAdenville project, and stated Lowell could potentially tie in to the lines at a later time. Commissioner Keigher said this project was presented at the last Board of Commissioners meeting and stated there were no opposition from commissioners. Chairman Fred Jackson asked for a recommendation of support from the EDC Board to move forward with the
project. Jack Brown made a motion to support the project financially and John Lowery seconded the motion. A vote was held and the motion passed. Project Update:
Tosaf, located in the Southridge Business Park, is nearly finished with construction of the facility. hope to be fully operational by this summer. Due to weather related They issues, the Maistro Spec building was slightly behind schedule in the fall, but the facility is expected to be complete by June. The facility has been highly marketed to multiple projects. have had
successful progress and
Other Business: No other business at this time. Adjourn:
Since there was no more business to discuss, Chairman Jackson adjourned the May EDC Board Meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Alisha Sheets Barnes
I I i
1
3]
GASTON COUNTY Economic Development Commission North Carolina
IMinutes
of EDC Board Meeting
MEETING HELD AT GASTON COLLEGE: KIMBRELL CAMPUS, 7220 WILKINSON BLVD., BELMONT, N.C.
May 10th, 2016 12:00 PM
EDC Board Members(
Voting& Non-Voting):
Present:
Voting: Chairman Fred Jackson, Vice- Chairman Dick Cromlish, Joe Carpenter, Stephen Whitesell, Bob Clay, Jack Brown, Larry Summer, Julie Roper, John Lowery, Non- Voting: Jeff Booker Absent:
Voting: Rondel Guffey, Joel Long, Robert Browne Non-Voting: Brenda Craig
Proceedings:
Call to Order: Chairman Fred Jackson presided. He welcomed everyone and called the May meeting of the Gaston County Economic Development Commission to order. Everyone in attendance introduced themselves.
Approval of Minutes: Chairman Jackson asked for a motion to accept the March meeting minutes. Jack Brown moved that the minutes be approved and Joe Carpenter seconded the motion. A vote was held and the motion passed.
PPSDI Report—Lowell Site- Mansour Edlin: Mansour Edlin displayed a land use map, concept site master plan, and study limits for the Lowell Site Study. Mansour stated the site is located off of North Main Street and N. C. Highway
7- 60. The property is
split
into four
parcels
including
one parcel of
14+- acres that is landlocked adjacent
to George Poston Park. One parcel has 36 acres with an existing Mill Building, one parcel is 8 acres and another is 4 acres. A utility easement passes through three of the sites. Mansour stated potential uses for the parcels include single family, multi-family, senior housing, park land and light commercial. Potential road access is shown as an
extension from North Main Street and connects to the other side of N. C. highway 7- 60 that would provide access to all parcels except the 14 acre parcel. The Site Plan proposed buildings for each parcel. The 14 acre parcel remained park land. The 36 acre site proposed three commercial buildings of 24,000 square feet, 56, 000 square 1]
1 i
Continued:
EDC Board Meeting Minutes May 10th, 2016
feet, and 35,000 square feet. The four acre site could potentially have four small commercial buildings including two 10,000 square foot facilities and two 6, 000 square foot facilities. All proposed site plans could be used for light
commercial. Joe Carpenter questioned the zoning of all parcels. Mansour stated there are two zoning jurisdictions City of Lowell). Mansour further discussed the 3rd Street Extension and concerns from the MPO. MPO stated key issues include heavy peak hour turning movements in downtown Lowell, including
residential and urban
industrial(
heavy truck on NC 7, and the creation of a walkable intersections would be needed at Main and 1St street. Designation
of
GTP, South Ridge, and Summit
as
AT&T Fiber Ready Parks— Carlos Sanchez: Carlos
Sanchez stated that AT& T launched gigapower six months ago to provide gigabit service to customers. Carlos
thanked the EDC and the County for working with AT&T by allowing them to provide fiber to the business parks that will help create economic success in our area. The Fiber Ready parks will attract new businesses as well as help current businesses in the parks operate more efficiently. Providing fiber will also make Gaston County more competitive than counties that do not already provide fiber service. Companies rely on increasing technology to improve productivity and expand markets. Carlos added that employers and developers often ask about the presence of high speed internet productivity in locations before they locate. AT&T has created the Fiber Ready Certificate Program that designates properties that fiber facilities are already in place, making the market more attractive for potential tenants. Carlos stated he is very excited to announce the Gastonia Technology Park, the Summit at Court Drive, and Southridge Business Park as Fiber Ready Parks. These are the first parks in Gaston
County to be designated as fiber ready and receive the AT& T Fiber Ready Certifications. Carlos thanked all Gaston County leaders whom were committed to strengthening the community and he also highlighted all AT&T employees whom were dedicated to making this possible. Carlos then presented EDC Executive Director Donny Hicks, County Commissioner Tom Keigher, and EDC Board Chairman Fred Jackson with AT&T Fiber Ready Certificates for the Gastonia Technology Park, the Summit at Court Drive, and Southridge Business Park. Chairman Fred Jackson thanked Carlos for his hard work and dedication.
Consideration of a Request from the City of Gastonia to Assist Financially with a Pump Station Project for
McAdenville: Donny Hicks stated the Town of McAdenville' s sewage is treated at the McAdenville Wastewater Treatment Plant which is owned by the Town. The plant is over 50 years old and requires replacement. Replacing the WWTP would be a significant fiscal impact to the small town of McAdenville and would require a drastic
increase in sewer rates. The existing WWTP is in the 100-year flood plain and there is not a site nearby that can accommodate a new WWTP. Pharr Yarns LLC owns and operates a second wastewater treatment plant that treats
wastewater flowing from the four large Pharr Yarns industrial facilities located in McAdenville. The Pharr WWTP is approximately half a mile from the McAdenville municipal WWTP. Donny stated the Pharr WWTP is also reaching the end of its effective service life. This is resulting in increased maintenance and operational costs. Additionally, the Pharr WWTP may be required to upgrade to meet possible future increased treatment- discharge standards. Pharr Yarns employs a large number of people in Gaston County and has been in McAdenville since 1939. Mr. Hicks stated the proposed Phase II South Fork Sewer Project will pump wastewater generated from the Town of McAdenville and the Pharr Yarns facilities to the City of Gastonia— Two Rivers Utilities( TRU) wastewater collection system. The wastewater will then be pumped to and treated at the TRU' s Long Creek WWTP, which has
ample available capacity and will treat the wastewater to a higher level than it is currently treated at the McAdenville and Pharr WWTPs. The project will consists of a new wastewater pump station located near the existing McAdenville WWTP, a new 16- inch diameter sewer force main that is approximately 2 miles long that will carry the wastewater from the new McAdenville pump station to the TRU system. The project also includes approximately
2, 000 feet of gravity sewer to increase the capacity of the McAdenville collection system to carry the Pharr
2]
I Continued:
EDC Board Meeting Minutes May 10th, 2016
wastewater to the new pump station. Donny added that the project includes the decommissioning and demolition of the existing McAdenville and Pharr WWTPs.
Michael Peoples added that he has worked on this project for a while and the State is reviewing permits now and easements have been secured. Michael added that over the development time, this project's costs for
construction have increased. The project line would be 11, 000 feet, 2 miles of force main and 1, 500 feet gravity. Michael presented a map overview of the project that displayed the existing WWTPs and the new sewer force main. Michael stated the City of Gastonia is asking the County to provide$ 500, 000.00 in gap financing for the project. Donny stated the County is willing to take$ 100,000. 00 per year for five years starting in July 2017. He also stated the County Commissioners would like to receive a recommendation from the EDC Board to go through with the project. Bob Clay added that this project is a regional project, not just a Town of McAdenville project, and stated Lowell could potentially tie in to the lines at a later time. Commissioner Keigher said this project was presented at the last Board of Commissioners meeting and stated there were no opposition from commissioners. Chairman Fred Jackson asked for a recommendation of support from the EDC Board to move forward with the
project. Jack Brown made a motion to support the project financially and John Lowery seconded the motion. A vote was held and the motion passed. Project Update:
Tosaf, located in the Southridge Business Park, is nearly finished with construction of the facility. hope to be fully operational by this summer. Due to weather related They issues, the Maistro Spec building was slightly behind schedule in the fall, but the facility is expected to be complete by June. The facility has been highly marketed to multiple projects. have had
successful progress and
Other Business: No other business at this time. Adjourn:
Since there was no more business to discuss, Chairman Jackson adjourned the May EDC Board Meeting.
Respectfully submitted, Alisha Sheets Barnes
I I i
1
3]
