The project will see the construction of a new shell manufacturing building in Claremont, similar to the Claremont Spec Building, which was recently sold to DAE Systems.

President of the EDC Scott Millar addressed the commissioners and gave a presentation for what to expect from the new project. Millar highlighted the success of the first spec building project and told commissioners there is still a need for more modern manufacturing facilities in the county.

“BG&A Properties, LLC, owns an approximate 7.375 acre site in Claremont International Business Park which has been appraised at $221,250 including the cost of grading, soil and erosion control and site development, and BG&A has proposed the construction of an expandable 48,000-square-foot shell manufacturing facility with ceiling height of 30 feet,” according to the presentation.

The county would be financially responsible for $45,000 per year for three years to provide “assistance for the project to defray facility costs for interest, electricity, insurance and other approved expenses…” according to documents.

The county’s previous agreement has almost paid for itself already, Millar said.

“Almost everybody got almost 100 percent of their money back, I think you ended up spending around five percent of the original commitment,” Millar said.

This cost is slightly higher than the previous project due to the increased cost of construction and an increase in interest rates, he said.

The building will offer companies who are in need of facilities the opportunity to locate to Catawba County and not have to completely build from scratch.

After the presentation, Chairman Randy Isenhower opened the meeting to the public; nobody in attendance spoke for or against the proposed plan and commissioners voted to approve the partnership agreement.