SALISBURY — The Salisbury City Council on Tuesday agreed to a $10,000 investment in Team Automotive Group to open its second location here.

Council members commended Team Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac and its leadership, the Dillard family, for deciding to continue investing in Salisbury and now downtown.

Scott Shelton, vice president of the Rowan County Economic Development Commission, presented the $10,000 investment request for a project previously referred to as “Project Team.”

The company will pursue a $100,000 building reuse grant through the state Rural Infrastructure Authority that requires a match by a local municipality. Team Automotive Group will convert the property at 316 and 322 Depot St. into a call center, accounting offices and executive offices.

The project will create 19 jobs by the end of 2020 and 25 in-direct jobs, a potential $400,000 investment in downtown Salisbury and an estimated $28,000 in new tax revenue over the next 10 years, according to the plan.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Shelton said the fixes will improve the appearance and condition of the buildings.

Shelton said the project will bring an additional economic impact as more merchants occupy buildings downtown.

Councilman Brian Miller told Shelton after he finished the presentation that he had the council at “hello.”

Councilwoman Karen Alexander said the project would offer a great return on the investment.

“We always love new investment in our downtown,” Alexander said.

Larissa Harper, executive director of Downtown Salisbury Inc., said the agency supports the project that they could not ask for anything more because it is a good investment by a local company.

Miller followed up by saying it will be a great reuse of a building, which makes Salisbury unique.

“When I get the chance to be in other communities, not every small town has the buzz like we do on the street during the workday or even with the night life,” Miller said. “Anything that we can do to animate the street creates more of a buzz. This is a very, very positive thing, and I wish the Dillards all the best in this venture.”

Councilwoman Tamara Sheffield said the Dillards could have chosen to expand to another community but she is glad they stayed home.

After the incentive request was unanimously approved, Mayor Pro Tem David Post thanked the company for investing downtown.

The Rural Infrastructure Authority will evaluate Team Automotive Group’s grant application on Oct. 17. If awarded, the grant will go to help with electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and roof improvements. If the project doesn’t receive the state grant, the city won’t incur any obligation.

Other business:

• The council heard from Planning Direct Hannah Jacobson and Community Development Corp. Director Chanaka Yatawara about the outcome of the performance report on the use of Community Development Block Grant and HOME Program funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Jacobson said the city exceeded all four goals, which included owner-occupied rehabilitation, public infrastructure improvements, provision of public services and updating a report on impediments to fair housing.

The city helped four low-income households with rehabilitation, including a roof replacement, repairing water damage, and bringing HVAC and plumbing up to code.

It also completed construction of a new sidewalk on Old Plank Road in the West End neighborhood.

The Gateway Freedom Center was given grant funds to cover the cost of electricity for a homeless facility for women and children.

The city also established a new Fair Housing Committee.

Yatawara said along with the Community Development and HOME programs, the city has done much more.

Post said cities don’t have a lot of wiggle room regarding fair housing because of federal laws but asked the Fair Housing Committee to look at what municipalities can do about tenants’ rights.

“That’s where we can have an impact is helping people stay in their houses,” Post said.

• Post presented a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 6-12. Mayor Al Heggins was absent due to illness.