The Alexander County Board of Commissioners met Monday (April 17) in regular session. The board approved an economic development incentive grant for Schneider Mills. David Icenhour, Executive Director of the Alexander County Economic Development Corporation, said the company plans to invest $2.7 million in new equipment. The incentive will last for four years with 50 percent of the property taxes on the new equipment to be refunded each year. Icenhour said the agreement requires Schneider Mills to retain at least 95 percent of its employees throughout the four-year period.

Ben Willis, the Community and Economic Development Director for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments (WPCOG), presented information about a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Sterling Road project. The $645,044 grant was awarded in December 2022 to rehabilitate seven homes and improve 390 linear feet of roadway. To begin the project, commissioners approved a resolution adopting the project policies, procedures, and plans; a project budget ordinance; and an agreement with the WPCOG to administer the project.

The board approved two budget amendments. One amendment increased the health department’s budget by $67,898 for additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds passed through the Cabarrus Health Alliance to Alexander County, to be used for an upgrade to the health department’s conference room and desks. The other amendment increased the county parks budget by $21,000 for the proposed purchase of 14 acres of land adjoining Jaycee Park for possible future expansion.

[Story courtesy of Rick Gilbert, WACB]