Notice is hereby given that the Burke County Board of Commissioners will hold a VIRTUAL public hearing at 6:00 p.m. (or as soon thereafter as persons may be heard) on Tuesday, May 19, 2020, to give consideration and approval of expending public funds to assist with rehabilitating the location of Project Refresh, which is located in Burke County (Morganton) via a Building Reuse grant and a local economic development grant which will be the matching funds for a proposed OneNC grant from the State of North Carolina. A Building Reuse grant application for $500,000 is being submitted to the State by the County. Burke County and the City of Morganton will provide the 5 percent local match of $12,500 each or $25,000 total. The Company will create at least 151 new jobs by the end of 2022, approximately 226 new jobs over 5 years and invest approximately $18.5 million in new additional tax base. The jobs will meet or exceed the average county wage and will include healthcare benefits. Also, BDI proposes a grant equivalent to 60% of the property taxes paid on the new tax base generated for a period of five (5) years. The Board of Commissioners and the Morganton City Council believe the project will stimulate economic activity, will result in the creation of new jobs, help stabilize and increase the tax base and create additional revenues for both entities. Citizens may express their opinion(s) during the virtual public hearing by joining the virtual meeting at 5:45 p.m. Please contact the Clerk for connection credentials prior to the meeting. Or citizens may submit a written statement to the Clerk by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 in one of the following ways:
- Email: kay.draughn@burkenc.org
- Hand-deliver: Burke County Governmental Offices, 200 Avery Avenue, (2nd Floor) in Morganton
- US Mail: Burke County, Attn: Kay Draughn, P.O. Box 219, Morganton, NC 28680.
Comments received by the deadline will be read aloud by the Clerk during the virtual public hearing.