Newsletter
Company to Invest $450M
FOREST CITY — A company has made a $450 million commitment to Rutherford County in the form of a data center, call centers and other related facilities, county officials say.
The center will be on property off U.S. 74 and Old Caroleen Road.
The announcement, which includes few details, will be followed by a public hearing called by county commissioners on Nov. 10 at the Foundation at Isothermal Community College.
“We are so excited about this opportunity for Rutherford County and we look forward to announcing the details, including the company’s identity in the coming days,” County Manager John Condrey said.
According to the public hearing notices published in today’s Classified Advertising section, the company will buy 153 acres off U.S. 74 and Old Caroleen Road, as well as 15 adjoining acres.
The purchase price is $3.1 million, and the company has already pledged more than $200,000 to the benefit of various community groups.
According to the legal notices, “The developer plans to establish one or more data centers, call centers, and/or other facilities used to house, computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems, cooling systems, power supplies and systems for managing property performance (including generators), and equipment used for the transformation, transmission, distribution or management of electricity (including substations), Internet-related equipment, data communications connections, environmental controls and security devices, structures and site features, as well as certain accessory uses or buildings located on the site and other related or associated uses, buildings or structures such as (but not limited to) utility buildings, structures and appurtenants located on, adjacent or near the site that are reasonably related to a data center.”
The company’s construction and operation of the facility at the site, according to the legal notice, would further the economic interests of the county in numerous ways, including:
- Bringing a 18-month construction project here, which in addition to creating employment would likely result in greater revenues to local businesses;
- Offering substantial number of full-time jobs at the completed facility with an average wage greater than the median wage in the county;
- Enhancing the county’s property tax base and increase the county’s property tax revenues;
- Supporting the diversification of the county’s economy and serving as a model by which the county might attract partner or complementary businesses and industries;
- Donating significant funds to community and charitable organizations located in the county.
The public hearing will be part of a joint meeting with the Town of Forest City board.
The public is invited to attend the meeting to speak for or against the item, or people may send your comments in writing to the Office of the Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners, 289 North Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139.
Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com