Town receives offer on former Urgent Care building

Strategic Economic Development plan approved

By ANGELA FARR KING

The Taylorsville Town Council met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., for their regularly scheduled meeting. Town Manager Nathan Hester brought forth a resolution for the Council to approve an offer of $375,000 to purchase property owned by the Town of Taylorsville located at 60 2nd Ave. SW, PIN #0006894. This is the former Urgent Care building.

Hester stated that the offer is from Xiong Rentals, LLC, and their intention is to establish a medical office with potential after hours and weekend urgent care services. He added that the Town has committed to patching the asphalt in the parking lot where work had been done to improve the drainage across the property and replacing the missing section of the stone column that was damaged during that work. To begin the process, the buyers will need to deposit $18,750 in earnest money within five days of execution of the contract. The Town is then required to advertise for ten days for an upset bid. Hester stated that the minimum upset bid would need to be $393,800. Town Attorney, Monroe Pannell, said that with the advertising beginning on Thursday, Feb. 5, and taking into account non business days, the final day of the ten day upset bid period is Monday, Feb. 16. The Council voted unanimously to accept the resolution to accept this bid.

Phil Boggan, Community Economic Development Planner from the NC Department of Commerce Main Street and Rural Planning Center, presented the Economic Development Strategic Plan that has been a work in progress for the past year. The Plan Steering Committee members were Nathan Hester, Kimberly Brown, Tamara Odom, Connie Kincaid, Dwaine Coley, Ashley Lineberger, Micah Henry, Katie Mellon, H.L (Lynn) Reese, Lisa McLain, and Stacy Sipe.

The committee met monthly from September of 2024 to August of 2025 to first complete a SWOT analysis, which consisted of identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that impact the Town of Taylorsville. After those were identified, the committee formulated an economic vision statement, which reads, “Nestled in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, historic Taylorsville is a destination where heritage meets opportunity. Our walkable, revitalized downtown invites our community and visitors to explore unique shops, authentic dining, and vibrant cultural experiences. With multiple styles of housing availability, a dedicated workforce, and convenient highway access, Taylorsville is a smart choice for advanced manufacturing, small business development, and heritage/agri-touristm.” Boggan said this vision statement is a work in progress and the goal is to achieve this within a five year time period.

The Committee developed five strategies within the plan: 1) Position Taylorsville as a Premier Place to Work, Live, and Visit, 2) Create a Dynamic Downtown, 3) Invest in Recreation, Wellness, and Cultural Tourism, 4) Strengthening Infrastructure to Support Long-term Growth, 5) Position Taylorsville to Become a NC Main Street Community.

Each strategy has three goals attached to it with specific actions suggested to implement the strategies. Mr. Boggan emphasized that these activities are only recommendations. This is a fluid document and changes can be made. He also complimented the Town for collecting over 500 responses to their community survey. He said that most towns are happy with 100-150 and he praised the committee for their dedication and hard work for getting so many responses.

The Council voted unanimously to adopt this strategic plan. Mr. Boggan said that the real work will begin now as implementation of the plan begins.

Town Manager Nathan Hester asked the Council to consider establishing a Public Hearing to adopt a new sign ordinance for the Town of Taylorsville. He said he will be meeting with the Planning Department for the County and will have new sign ordinances ready to present based on Town Council recommendations from their work session for the March 3 meeting. This is when the Public Hearing will be held. The Council voted unanimously to establish the Public Hearing.

Hester asked the Council to consider establishing a Public Hearing to apply for a CDBG Grant (Community Development Block Grant). He noted that there will need to be two public hearings for this type of grant, one will be to seek a broad resolution stating the intention to apply for a CDBG grant and a second hearing to apply for specific grant funding. Hester stated, “Our goal is to apply for funds to demolish the hospital in coordination with the property owner and the economic development nonprofit (The Taylorsville Development Alliance). We want to begin transitioning that property into something that’s beneficial to the community. That’s going to be one of our first major economic development projects.” The Council voted unanimously to establish a Public Hearing for this at the next meeting.

Public Works Manager Aaron Wike asked the Council to consider a change order for the Streets and Sidewalk Grant Project to add additional asphalt removal and paving at the entrance of Green Meadows Drive. The added cost to the project is $38,000, but Wike explained that his department is under budget by $60,000 for patching projects, so that money will be used to fund this additional cost. The Council voted unanimously in favor of this change order.

The next Town Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 3, at 5:30 p.m.