Gastonia council approves incentive offer for Project Metro pending annexation

The Gastonia City Council on Aug. 4 voted unanimously to authorize staff to negotiate a Level 1 economic development incentive for "Project Metro," contingent on the company annexing into the city. Christy Crisp, the city's director of economic development, said the relocation would "be investing $4,300,000 [and] create 15 jobs," and stressed the grant is payable only if the company chooses annexation.

Crisp described a Level 1 investment grant as a five-year, declining reimbursement of taxes that begins by returning a higher percentage of paid taxes to the company in early years and phases down over time. Council members pressed for specifics: how the $4.3 million figure will be assessed (Crisp said the Gaston County tax office performs the final assessment of real and personal property), whether the move is a relocation versus an expansion (Crisp confirmed it is a relocation into an existing building) and the proposed timeframe (Crisp said the project could move quickly because it involves an existing structure). Legal counsel noted annexation would be required for water and sewer service, making annexation a practical prerequisite for some aspects of the deal.

Councilman Kasupius made the motion to close the public hearing and offer the Level 1 grant pending annexation; Councilwoman Dreier seconded it. The motion specified that the final details would be negotiated by city legal staff under the approved program. The council voted unanimously to approve the motion; no recorded opposition or abstentions were entered.