Commissioners approve sale of industrial-park parcel tied to 35 jobs and $7M investment

County staff said the proposed sale of Parcel 5 (Site 5) at the Ashe Industrial Park carries a $500,000 purchase price and a committed investment of $7,000,000 over a seven-year incentive agreement. "This agreement also creates 35 jobs within the industrial park, constructs a 50,000 square foot building and the purchaser is BZD LLC," Nick told commissioners. He also said the average wage at the new park would be "above 48,000."

Chair McNeil opened a public hearing at 9:15 a.m. and, seeing no public comment, the board returned to the floor, where a motion to approve the offer to purchase was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners highlighted the local economic benefit of higher-paying manufacturing jobs and added that the industrial park's expansion aligns with broader regional development goals.