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Members of the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority
yesterday morning approved the sale of a seven to eight acre tract
of
land at the Georgia-Pacific site to Halifax County to be used for
construction of the solid waste transfer station. The land which
veers
off Plywood Road lies some 600 yards behind South Boston Speedway.
"The County asked us to sell them the land and we agreed," said IDA
chairman Larry McPeters. In agreeing to the sale, McPeters said the
IDA
has the authority to review the plans and specifications for the
building and has an agreement about the buffering, landscaping and
signage that can be carried out at the site. "We, the IDA will be
held
harmless in any event of damage," IDA Executive Director Mike Eades
added, noting that a joint oversight committee between the IDA and
County Supervisors will be named to insure there are no impacts on
potential grant awards.
The IDA will sell the land for $1 and partner with County
Supervisors
in the demolition of the old Georgia-Pacific building and the
redevelopment of the site.
Also during the Wednesday meeting, IDA members rejected an amended
agreement with the County on the location of a telecommunications
tower
in Riverstone Park. Instead IDA members will continue to seek an
alternate site in the park for the location of the tower.
And in their last action following a nearly two hour closed session,
members on a 4-2 vote approved a three percent pay increase for
Eades,
effective at the start of the new fiscal year in July.
Members heard a presentation on Marketing Strategies for Riverstone
Technology Park and Building One given by the Leak-Goforth Company
of
Raleigh, NC. Bob Leak and Bob Goforth concluded that "Halifax County
has positioned itself to be an attractive location for
technologically
advanced business and industry, and for the creation of
entrepreneurial
businesses. There is an excitement in the community about the
Riverstone Technology Park and Building One. We believe if the
economic
development strengths of Halifax County are presented to the right
audiences the prospect traffic to the County will pick up
substantially. With increased traffic it is reasonable to expect
more
jobs and capital base will be created. With an effort to develop a
creative environment for entrepreneurs we believe Halifax County
could
be a player in this fast growing area," they wrote.
The consultants pointed to the importance of the Route 58 Corridor
since the County has no interstate highway and urged that the low
cost
of living be stressed to companies looking to relocate. They termed
the
park "a real show piece" that they felt could be most attractive to
companies who feel the need for market safety. "Your strengths far
outweigh your weaknesses," they added