
NAVASSA — Navassa could land a new manufacturing facility, and Brunswick County is pitching in to help secure the deal.
On Tuesday, the county will vote to apply to a state grant that requires a $35,000 county match in a proposed $700,000 state deal to attract a New Jersey-based company with “Project Pavement.”
According to the county’s resolution in support of the grant, the company could add nearly 240 jobs to a medium-to-low income town of less than 2,000.
Project Pavement
Project Pavement is considering relocating its New Jersey facilities to a nearly 60-acre waterfront lot on the Brunswick River. In Navassa’s town limits, the property is currently owned by Brunswick Corporation, based out of Illinois. The land was purchased in 2007 for $9 million.
It’s right next to an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund cleanup site. Some areas of the site are still contaminated with creosote from the old Kerr-McGee Creosote Plant that operated in the early 20th century. Redevelopment plans to turn 245 acres into an industrial and community park are still being worked out.
First built in 2000, the buildings Project Pavement is considering were formerly operated by the U.S. Marine Corps. Equipped with a dock, access to the rail line and 327,000 sq. ft. in combined building space, Project Pavement believes the site is “suitable for their manufacturing and warehousing needs,” county documents show.
Grant process
Rural Development Building Reuse Grants, administered by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, allow local governments to attract new businesses. Eligible projects include renovating or expanding existing buildings.
If companies receive the state grant, met with local matching funds, according to the N.C. Department of Commerce, they must meet a weekly wage standard and provide certain benefits to employees.
On Tuesday, Brunswick County will vote to apply for the grant, pledging a $35,000 match. According to the county’s resolution about the grant, site work is required for Project Pavement to use the site: dock level doors need to be added, along with a manufacturing room, compound room, parking improvements and site work must be performed.
Redevelopment work will be offset by the grant, if administered. At $700,000, Brunswick County will vote to pitch in five percent of the total amount, the minimum match required.
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