A national homebuilder would create 189 jobs in Fayetteville and build a factory to make trusses and other construction components, according to a report presented to the City Council.
The council unanimously approved a request by the Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corp. to provide $317,000 in incentives to help bring the unidentified company to the area.
“They are a manufacturer that is tied to the residential home construction industry. They're a major national company," said Robert Van Geons, president and CEO of the economic development agency.
During a presentation to the City Council on Monday night, Van Geons referred to the company’s plan as “Project Dogwood.”
The name of the business is confidential until it decides to move forward with its plan, he said.
“Heaven forbid they don’t come,” Van Geons said Tuesday. “People get nervous. Their investors get nervous.”
Van Geons said the company is “very, very renowned” in the construction industry.
In addition to trusses, the manufacturing facility would make wall-panel systems and other homebuilding components.
No one spoke during a public hearing on the incentives plan Monday.
“This project – if we are successful in recruiting it here to Fayetteville – would add 189 jobs,” Van Geons told members of the council.
He said the jobs would pay an average of $45,000 per year, “and that’s 10% above your current private-sector average.”
The company, Van Geons said, would invest more than $25 million in a new 130,000-square-foot facility that would be built on property across from the former M.J. Soffe warehouse where the Soffe outlet operated and near Interstate 95 Business.
The city would work with the N.C. Department of Transportation, Fayetteville Public Works Commission and the state to extend water and sewer service and improve the nearby intersection, according to Van Geons.
The $317,000 would be paid out annually over five years, as long as the company meets its job-creation goals. The city would receive $134,000 in new tax revenue each year, Van Geons said.
“We ask that you look favorably upon this request tonight,” he told the council.
Councilman Chris Davis made a motion to approve as much as $317,000 to bring Project Dogwood to Fayetteville.
Councilman Larry Wright seconded the motion, and the council voted 10-0 to approve it.
Van Geons said the EDC will ask the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to approve an incentives package on Monday. State officials also are considering incentives.
“Keep up the good work,” Mayor Mitch Colvin told Van Geons.
Michael Futch covers Fayetteville and education for CityView TODAY. He can be reached at mfutch@cityviewnc.com. Have a news tip? Email news@CityViewTODAY.com.
