By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council on Tuesday will consider a $10,000 incentive request from Team Automotive Group to open an additional office.

The council will meet at 6 p.m. at 217 S. Main St.

The Rowan County Economic Development Commission has been working with Team Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac — or Team Automotive Group — as it looks to convert property at 316 and 322 Depot St. into offices.

Rowan EDC and Team Automotive will pursue a $100,000 building reuse grant from the state to help with electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and roof improvements. The grant program requires a match from the local municipality, which would be $10,000.

If the state grant is denied, the city will not incur an obligation.

If approved, the money would come out of the 2020-21 fiscal year budget. Over 10 years, the city will retain an estimated $18,082 of new revenue, according to project planners.

Team Automotive Group plans to create 19 full-time jobs by the end of 2020. It will also invest $400,240 in new equipment and improvements to the building. The projected investment is $340,478 in real and personal property.

The Depot Street building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Team Automotive plans to convert the property into space for a call center, accounting offices and executive offices.

“Approval of this match would give us an opportunity to demonstrate local support for this project as well as improve the overall condition and appearance of one of the city’s historic downtown buildings,” said Scott Shelton, EDC vice president.

The council will hold a public hearing on the incentive request.

Other agenda items include:

• The council will receive a report and hold a public hearing on the use of Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Planning Director Hannah Jacobson and Chanaka Yatawara, director of the Community Development Corp., will present the report.

The evaluation is required by HUD to show how closely CDBG outcomes aligned with goals approved by the City Council. The goals were affordable housing, rehabilitation of existing housing, public facilities and improvements, public services and fair housing.

The public can review the report and comment on it through Oct. 8.

• Mayor Al Heggins will proclaim Oct. 6-12 as Fire Prevention Week.