Public hearing on grant Tuesday
By Steve Herring
Published in News on October 3, 2011 1:46 PM
Wayne County Commissioners will be asked Tuesday to schedule a public hearing on a request that the county provide $157,400 in matching funds for a $157,400 One North Carolina Fund grant for Cooper Standard Automotive.
Gov. Beverly Perdue, during a stop in Goldsboro last week, announced that the company would make a $39.6 million investment to expand its Goldsboro operation and add 137 jobs with an average salary of $31,713 pus benefits.
She also announced that the company had been awarded the grant that requires a local match. However, a public hearing must be held before the grant can be awarded.
County Manager Lee Smith is expected to recommend that the board schedule the public hearing for Nov. 1 at 9:15 a.m. in the commissioners' meeting room on the fourth floor of the Wayne County Courthouse annex, 224 E. Walnut St.
Tuesday's commissioners' meeting will begin with an agenda briefing at 8 a.m., followed by the board meeting at 9 a.m.
Cooper Standard is a leading global automotive supplier of products for the body sealing, fuel, brake and emissions, thermal management and anti-vibration segments of the automotive industry. The project will enable the company to expand its body and chassis facility to accommodate new products and programs.
The company recently was awarded four new contracts that created the need for the new jobs by 2014, Wayne County Development Alliance officials said.
The Goldsboro plant opened in 1984 and expanded in 1997 to include a second facility. The two locations have 373 full-time employees.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners will consider awarding a $3.8 million contract for construction of a new landfill cell and related work at the Wayne County Landfill at Dudley.
Smith has recommended that the contract go to low bidder ES&J Enterprises.
Commissioners also will take up a request by the county ABC Board that the county's ABC law enforcement officer be designated to make recommendations to the state ABC Commission on ABC permit applications
Smith said that Sheriff Carey Winders agrees with the request.
State law allows the board to make the appointment.
The officer will be charged with making recommendations regarding the suitability of persons and locations for ABC permits within the county's jurisdiction.
Other items on the agenda include:
*Wayne County Services on Aging Director Eryn McAuliffe will update the board on the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), including Medicare D open enrollment and the low income subsidy.
*Charles B. Aycock Principal Dr. Earl Moore, will make a presentation on a high school reform initiative.
*Wayne County Development Alliance President Joanna Helms will talk about economic development activities in the county.
*Members of the county's finance office will be recognized for receiving a certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting for the fiscal year that ended June 30.