0717198693
PUBLIC HEARING, JULY 17, 1986
1
The Harnett County Board of Commissioners met on Thursday, July 17, 1986, at 7:00
p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom of the City Hall located at 401 East Broad St. for
the purpose of holding a public hearing relative to the submission of a 1986 applica-
tion for Community Development Block Grant Funds, Economic Development in the amount
of $750,000. These funds will be used to provide a water and sewer service extension
to the proposed Food Lion Distribution Center on Highway 301 in Dunn. Present were
Commissioners Stewart, Shaw and Chairman Alphin presiding. Commissioner Rudy Collins
was absent. Others present were: Dallas Pope, Interim County Manager; Vanessa W.
Young, Clerk to the Board; and Hollie J. Wade, Recording Secretary.
CALL TO ORDER Chairman Alphin called the public hearing to order at 7:00 p.m.
PRAYER Commissioner Shaw led the evening prayer.
PURPOSE OF MEETING Chairman Alphin explained to the group the purpose of the public hearing tonight,
which is to obtain citizens input (positive or negative) concerning Harnett County
submitting an application for Community Development Block Grant funds to construct a
water and sewer line to the proposed Food Lion Distribution Center on Highway 301
in Dunn.
Following this explanation, Chairman Alphin recognized Randy McNeill, Engineer, to
explain the preliminary design for the water and sewer line extension and to answer
any of the technical questions the citizens may have concerning this project.
A couple of citizens questioned the size of the lines, if the line would have the
capacity for additional commercial and reisdential users, and the water storage
capacity at the site location. The engineer addressed each of these concerns.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chairman Alphin opened the hearing for public comments pro or con to the submission
of the application for Community Development Block Grant funding.
The following persons appeared before the Board and supported the submission of an
application for Community Development Block Grant funding in the amount of $750,000
to construct a water and sewer line to the Food Lion Distribution Center industrial
site on 301, south of Dunn: Virginia Parker, President of Dunn Business and Profes-
sional Club; Delmon Williamson, Chairman of the Harnett County Development Commission
Abe Elmore, member of the State Board of Economic and Development; Ralph Barefoot,
Mayor of Dunn; Louise Bruckner, Manager of Employment Security Commission; Mayo Smith
Citizen of Dunn; Shannon Brown, Administrator of Betsy Johnson Hospital. These
individuals stressed the importance this industry would have on the future over all
economic development of the County by providing more job opportunities, improve the
per capita income, help the unemployment rate, and attract additional industry into
the area.
Oscar Harris, President of the Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce, appeared before the
Commissioners and expressed the Chamber's endorsement for Harnett County to make
application for a Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $750,000 to
provide sewer adn water services to the proposed Food Lion Distribution Center.
Mr. Harris stressed the tremendous positive impact this industry would have on the
overall economic development of the County. Mr. Harris explained that the initial
construction will include a 675,000 square foot facility at a cost of $20,000,000
plus; with an estimated twelve month construction timetable. The second construction
phase is scheduled to increase the building to 1,200,000 square foot at a cost of
$16,000,000 plus; with plans to have the second phase constructed within two years.
Food Lion plans to hire 150 -170 employees for its initial start -up of operation and
plans to hire 400 employees on completion of the second construction increment. The
total estimated inventory value will be $50,000,000 for the initial phase and
$38,000,000 for the second phase for a total inventory of $88,000,000. It is esti-
mated that the county tax revenues derived from Food Lion will be $315,000 for the
initial phase plus an additional $243,000 when the second phase is completed. Mr.
Harris also spoke on the positive impact Food Lion will have on Harnett County's
unemployment rate and the County's per capita income. Of Harnett County's employed
residents, 44.6% are commuting out of the County and Food Lion will provide job
opportunity within the County. Mr. Harris stated that the location of the Food
Lion Distribution Center will provide a job opportunity for our farmers who are
currently seeking a change in their occupations because of the farming situation.
Mr. Harris continued to enumerate the tremendous effect the location of this indus-
try in Dunn would have on Harnett County and its neighboring counties. Mr. Harris
also stated that with the extension of water and sewer to the site, a new avenue of
development will open up, as even more business expansion is expected.
Larry Godwin, State Director of Farmers Home Administration, appeared before the
Board and offered the following comments. "Harnett County is located right in the
middle of the farm belt and the County has not yet felt the full impact of the dis-
placement we are going to have in the agri- business sector in the State, and espe-
cially here in this County, in this general area. Agri- business is undergoing some
extreme changes; and for years, the cornerstone of the economy in this area has
been primarily textile and agriculture, and they will continue to be. But with the
changes agri- business is undergoing now, we are going to need something to take the
place of a good portion of our agricultural sector. This industry that is coming in
is basically the type of industrial development dreams are made of. You will have
a tremendous number of good paying jobs created. The location will not contribute
significantly to congestion within the densely populated areas. You have a perfectl
clean industry that will not have any problem disposing of the waste they generate.
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An industry that will' not be subject to fluctuation due to foreign-'. market changes.
This will be a very stable business which will provide for stability in our local
economy and will provide opportunity. I think it is incumbent upon the County and
City Commissioners to do whatever it takes to make this become a reality.
PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Alphin asked that anyone else present who would like to speak in favor or
CLOSED against the submission of the Community Development Block Grant Apllication to feel
free to do so at this time. After no one else appeared before the Board, Chairman
Alphin thanked everyone for coming to the public hearing and for their participation.
Chairman Alphin closed the public hearing at 8:00 p.m.
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Secretary
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Clerk