Henderson County authorizes incentives for anonymous 'Project Blaze' tied to 33 new jobs

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners voted March 18 to authorize economic development incentives for an anonymous manufacturer identified as “Project Blaze,” which plans at least $1,011,649 in taxable real property investment and $5,185,000 in business personal property, and projects creation of 33 new jobs averaging $68,788 per year.

Public notice for the hearing was provided under N.C. Gen. Stat. §158-7.1. County documents presented at the hearing estimate the first year’s contemplated incentive would not exceed $4,091.57 and that the maximum amount of incentives under consideration for the five-year period would be $87,502.96. The incentives, if granted, would be funded through general property-tax revenue.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Vice-Chair J. Michael Edney moved to authorize incentives under the Board’s economic development policy and the motion carried unanimously. The county’s staff materials described the project in general terms to preserve the company’s confidentiality while documenting the investment and wage projections required by state statute for public review.

Board materials note that final incentive terms will be set when the company advances to a formal agreement and that any incentive award will be subject to conditions and performance requirements.