County leaders hear economic development plans

By MICAH HENRY

Alexander County leaders heard positive news from a representative of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) during the County Commission meeting on Monday, April 6, 2026.

Garrett Wyckoff of EDPNC appeared before commissioners with Michael Worley, Alexander County Economic Development Director, and explained the work being done with the NC Selectsite Readiness Program. The program officially included 16 acres adjacent to the Alexander Industrial Park off NC 90 in a Feburary announcement.

The Selectsite program is a tool to attract investments and hopefully locate a manufacturing entity to the vacant land, which has highway and rail access and is served by water and sewer.
Wyckoff noted the program helps speed up development times and ensures project-specific suitability.

Commission Chairman Larry Yoder said this was great news and noted that “this group of commissioners will work and do the things we need to do to bring valuable assets to Alexander County.”
The meeting then segued into an Option to Purchase agreement with Alexander Railroad Company for two parcels of land adjacent to the Industrial Park. The county will have 12 months (with the ability to extend an additional 12 months) in which to do due diligence surveys, tests, evaluations, and examinations of the property to determine if the land is developable as an addition to the Industrial Park. County Attorney Ben Faulkenberry explained this agreement does not purchase the property at this point.

The agreement is authorized under the Local Development Act of 1925 and NC General Statute 158-7.1(a) and (b), which allows counties to acquire and hold real property for resale to encourage economic development.

If purchased, the price would be $7,948.49 per acre. The only upfront money required is a $1 option fee for both properties to serve as consideration for the option agreement.

Commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the agreement. Commissioners Marty Pennell and Ronnie Reese were absent at the meeting.

In other news:

• Planning Director Patrick Creech presented Rezoning Case RZ-26-01 for property owned by Scotty Greene on Emerald Lane in Hiddenite. The rezoning was requested from R1 to R2 zoning for the placement of a doublewide manufactured home for Greene’s own residence. Commissioners approved this request.

• Rezoning Case RZ-26-02 was brought before the board by Creech for applicant David Hammer of Hammer Hospitalities, LLC. This was for four parcels of about one acre or less on Happy Plains Road in Taylorsville, on which Hammer intends to place doublewide manufactured homes for rental. This was also an R1 to R2 zoning change request. During a public hearing on the topic, it was noted that Hammer had placed a doublewide on one parcel two years ago. However, the County Land Development Code was adopted two months later, changing the parcels to R1 zoning. Thus, Hammer requested it be returned to R2 zoning.
During the hearing, Todd Lange, agent with Howard Hanna Allen Tate Real Estate, spoke about the Stikeleather property adjacent to this on Happy Plains. It consists of 82 acres and is the site of a proposed subdivision of about 250 to 300 homes. Lange expressed concern that with the single family subdivision next to it, the rezoning of the Hammer property could have an impact on the project. Commissioners approved Hammer’s request.

• Zack Shepherd, Vaya Health Community Relations Regional Director, gave an update on his organization. He noted that the state is preparing for Federal funds in the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This will bring Medicaid cuts projected to reduce North Carolina’s funding over ten years but provide program funds of $213 million for Year 1 and one billion dollars for the state over five years. RHTP plans to establish locally governed Rural Organizations to connect medical, behavioral health, and social supports, making it easier for residents to access comprehensive care close to home. It will also transition rural practices and hospitals to value-based payment models that reward keeping people healthy, not just treating illness, among other program goals.

• Shepherd noted the Partnership for Children Spring Fling will be held April 16, 4 to 7 p.m., at Alexander County Courthouse Park.

• Commissioners agreed to enter into a New National Opioids Remnant Defendants Settlement with six regional drug distributors (J.M. Smith Corp., Louisiana Wholesale Drug Co., Inc., Morris and Dickson Co., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Co., Inc., and United Natural Foods, including subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics). Faulkenberry said the county would receive a one-time payment of about $50,000. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution to participate in this settlement.

• Budget Ordinance Amendment #25 was presented by County Manager Justin Mundy. This would increase the EMS budget by $360,000 for an ambulance already ordered but which the delivery was supposed to occur after this fiscal year ends on June 30. However, Mundy said the County was surprised to hear delivery is occurring before the end of the fiscal year and is expected in May or June. The amendment also adds $31,475 to the EMS budget for estimated Medicaid program reimbursements for the remainder of the budget year, as required by the NC Department of Health & Human Services. Commissioners unanimously approved this amendment.

• Commissioners also approved the Consent Agenda which includes Tax Abatements & Adjustments ($4,725.70) and Tax Refunds ($1,369.11) for February 23 – March 24, Minutes from the March 2 Regular Meeting and March 2 Consolidated Human Services Board Meeting, a Line-Item Transfer Report for March 2026, a FY 2026 Audit Contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, Line Worker Appreciation Day Proclamation, a request from Sheriff Chad Pennell to surplus several firearms to trade for equipment at Lyndon’s Riverview Sports, and a request from Public Works to surplus a Caterpillar 924K articulating wheel loader.

• Commissioners viewed a video from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners urging them to keep abreast of legislative developments in Raleigh.

• During the Public Comment portion of the meeting, Alexander County NAACP Chapter spokesperson Helen Chestnut said the group had prepared a presentation about issues with Sterling Road but would wait until a later date to speak on the matter.

• The next meeting will be Monday, May 4, at 6:00 p.m. at CVCC Alexander Center, Room 103.