Another local manufacturing business is looking to expand its operations by investing more than 90 million dollars.
The company, identified according to information provided by the city of Morganton, has applied to the city for a $500,000 building recycling grant on its behalf.
According to information from the city, this project, called “Project Fill” for the sake of confidentiality, is expected to be an investment of approximately 94 million dollars and will create 78 new jobs at or above the county’s average salary.
If the grant application is approved, a 5% local match — totaling $25,000 — is required, according to information from the city. That local match is paid equally by the city and county, with each entity paying $12,500.
Economic development projects aren’t the only thing on the agenda for the City Council Monday night.
The meeting will be called an hour and a half earlier at 4:30 pm to discuss the economic development project in closed session.
No further details were available during the closed session, but city staff confirmed News Herald It is about a different project than project completion.
The rest of the council’s agenda is light on Monday night, when a public hearing is scheduled to discuss an alternative design for the city’s electrical distribution fence.
City bylaws restrict the height of fences and the use of wire in the zoning district where the new substation is located on Coal Chute Road, according to information from the city. The rule conflicts with OSHA guidelines that require fences to be at least 7 feet tall.
City ordinance allows the City Council to approve alternative designs under special circumstances, so the council will hold a public hearing Monday night before voting on the proposed alternative design.
During a vote on the consent agenda, the council will decide to approve a $137,149 contract for a new communications system for the electric utility.
If approved, the new system would be the first replacement or complete overhaul since the 1990s, according to information from the city. The new system from Servant Technology Corp. allows city workers to monitor and operate distribution equipment remotely.
The contract with Servalent also includes training for city employees.
The council meeting will begin at 4:30 pm with an open session and public comment beginning at 6 pm in the Council Chambers at Morganton City Hall.
Chrissy Murphy is a staff writer and can be reached at cmurphy@morganton.com or 828-432-8941. follow @cmurphyMNH On Twitter.
