Public hearing on industry grants to be held Tuesday
By Andrew Bell
Published in News on March 20, 2006 1:45 PM
Wayne County residents can voice their opinions to the county Board of Commissioners on Tuesday about the proposed conveyance of a lot at the county industrial park and the providing of grant money to a company interested in building there.
A public hearing on the issue will be held during the county Board of Commissioners meeting that starts at 9 a.m. in the commissioners' board room on the fourth floor of the county courthouse. The hearing will be held at 9:15 a.m.
The grants would be provided for five years and would equal the amount of taxes the unnamed industry would pay on machinery and equipment. Wayne County Manager Lee Smith said the county signed a confidentiality agreement with the industry and is not allowed to divulge the industry's name or method of operations.
The industry would provide about 250 jobs and an investment of about $9 million, county officials said.
Two other public hearings will be held during the meeting.
The board also plans to discuss the capacity of Wayne County public schools and the future of Goldsboro High School during Tuesday's meeting.
Every five years, the county's Board of Education is required by state statute to submit its Facility Needs Assessment to the state Board of Education. The assessment listings provide all improvements and new structures needed to accommodate projected enrollments through the 2014-15 school year.
The document was completed by the school board Jan. 20 and was signed by Superintendent Dr. Steven Taylor and School Board member Lehman Smith. It must be reviewed and signed by County Commissioner Atlas Price and County Manager Smith before it can be submitted to the State Board of Education.
The plan states the construction of six schools will be necessary by the start of the 2014 school year. The new schools include one elementary school, two middle schools and three high schools. Each of the county's 31 public schools were listed for additions or renovations. The projected total for additions, renovations and construction is more than $275 million.
A second public hearing will be held concerning proposed amendments to the county Subdivision Ordinance and the county Zoning Ordinance to allow cluster subdivisions. County planners said cluster subdivisions reduce yard space within each lot of a subdivision. The excess space is accumulated to create a green space for all of the residents within the subdivision.
The final public hearing concerns the proposed Rural Operating Assistance Program application for the next year. The programs included in the application include the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Assistance Program, Work First and the Rural General Public funds. About $140,000 is available through the programs.