By Andie Foley
andie.foley@salisburypost.com

Nearly a month after commissioners approved a conditional-use permit for a nearly 700,000-square-foot development along Interstate 85, the Rowan County Economic Development Commission is making another request for the site.

The development could come through partnership with NorthPoint Development. At the southeast corner of the interstate and Long Ferry Road intersection, NorthPoint plans to construct a warehouse and distribution center.

The hope is to recruit a large e-commerce company to the site, which could create 600 jobs by the end of 2022 and $55 million in investment in new construction and equipment.

The EDC request, currently on Monday’s Board of Commissioners agenda, is meant to address a lack of public sewer at the warehouse’s proposed location.

Salisbury-Rowan Utilities estimates a cost of $1.5 million to extend sewer to the property. To cover the majority of this cost, the EDC is proposing Rowan County apply for a Community Development Block Grant.

Prior to applying for these funds, the county will need to hold a public hearing on the subject. On Monday, the EDC will request commissioners hold this hearing during their Oct. 1 meeting.

The group also will request a separate public hearing be held on Oct. 1 to consider other incentives for the project.

In other business from Monday’s agenda:

• The board will hold a public hearing regarding applying for Community Development Block Grant, a federally funded, Department of Commerce program.

The hearing is meant to obtain citizens’ input on the county’s economic needs and desired economic development activities. This input will be incorporated into the county’s consideration and submission of a grant application.

The Community Development Block Grant program permits a wide range of development activities to occur which are directed towards promoting the creation or retention of jobs, enhancing income levels and providing local employment opportunities principally for people of low and moderate income.

Funds therein support economic development and public infrastructure.