LAURINBURG —The Laurinburg City Council voted on Tuesday to accept a state grant for an industrial park that could bring as many as 415 new jobs to the area.
The vote came after Mark Ward, county economic development director, updated council on where the county and city stand in terms of attracting new business and manufacturing to the area.
Ward said the city has been awarded a grant for as much as $1.5 million from the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority to assist in infrastructure needs for a 42-acre incubator park and a 85-acre industrial park — both located behind the Small Business Innovation Center at 16800 US 401 Bypass.
“On behalf of the city council and Laurinburg citizens, congratulations to Mark Ward, Charles Nichols and the EDC for securing this large sum of money from the state that will surely make Scotland County more competitive in recruiting industry,” said Mayor Matthew Block in a statement.
The Scotland County Development Corporation is working on four projects, which could result in the new jobs with an investment of more than $100 million.
Bob Davis, SCEDC chair, said the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority in partnership with the city and county will provide additional resources for businesses to locate in the county
“It also validates our continued commitment to work with others to encourage job growth and investment in our community,” Davis said.
Currently there are 23 manufacturing plants in Scotland County.
“I’m excited about the potential industrial and job development this grant brings to the incubator park and joins with SCEDC Chair Bob Davis and Mayor Matthew Block in expressing deep appreciation to NC Rural Infrastructure Authority and our economic developer Mark Ward for their commitment to our community,” said Carol McCall, chair of the county commissioners.
In other business, council voted to give Hankins Companies, LLC the exclusive right and option to purchase about 20.01- acre tract of land owned by the city along Scotland Crossing Drive. The vote followed a public hearing in which no one spoke for or against the sale.
The approval will grant Hankins, an investment company based out of Huntersville, the option to purchase only if the business will guarantee no less than seven full-time positions with wages of at least $13.93 per hour. City officials did not discuss the type of businesses the company may attract.
“This would result in jobs,” said City Attorney Bill Floyd. “We are basically trying here to get a professional with experience advertising these proprieties.”
The land, purchased by the city about year ago, is valued at $110,000.
Council also voted to:
— Approve a request to set a public hearing for Sept. 19 on an application for the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Community Development Block for sewer project for the Produce Market area;
— Approved a request to close a portion of Roper Street between Main and Atkinson streets on Oct. 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Storytelling Festival of Carolina.