By Natalie Anderson
natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County commissioners on Monday will consider a tax incentive request for an industrial products distribution company seeking to expand and acquire a local employer’s facility.

The unnamed company behind what’s known as “Project Gauge” plans to retain the 40 current employees at the facility and create 46 new jobs over the next four years. The company also estimates that it will invest approximately $5.1 million in building improvements and new equipment.

The company and the Rowan Economic Development Commission request that county commissioners consider awarding a lovel one tax incentive grant as a show of support for the project. The grant request is $5 million, with 75% of the paid taxes returned as a grant.

Commissioners will consider the request following a public hearing at their regular meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually, and citizens can view the meeting at bit.ly/RowanBOC040. The password to join the meeting is 04202020. Citizens can also join by telephone by dialing 1-602-753-0140 or 1-720-928-9299 or 1-213-338-8477, and entering Webinar ID 991-420-703, and password 04202020.

Public comments can be submitted by email at public.comment@rowancountync.gov by noon on Monday.

To secure its supply chain, the company behind “Project Gauge” has decided to branch out into manufacturing by acquiring the production facility of one of its suppliers. One of the facilities under consideration is located in Rowan County. A manufacturing facility in Ohio is also under consideration. The Ohio site is the primary competition for the project.

The company is also eligible for a similar grant from the City of Salisbury, but Monday’s agenda documents state the company will likely wait until later this summer to submit its request to the city. Delaying the request could allow the company to become eligible for a Rural Building Reuse Grant from the state.

If Rowan County is chosen, Project Gauge expects that the majority of construction and equipment installation will be complete by Dec. 31, 2021, with additional improvements over the following three years.

Other items on the agenda include:

• A request for a public hearing to be scheduled for May 4 to consider financing technology, flooring repairs and renovations at Kannapolis City Schools in the amount of $1 million, as well as financing the construction of a concession stand at Dan Nicholas Park in the amount of $600,000. If approved following the public hearings, the financing would be considered by the Local Government Commission in June.
• A presentation of the findings and efforts to enhance Rowan County’s development review, permitting and inspection processes. The Matrix Consulting Group was recruited to assess the county departments’ organizational structure, staffing level and service delivery. The improvements are being led by newly appointed Assistant Manager Randy Cress, who is also the Chief Information Officer for the county.

Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246.