McDowell Commissioners hold special meeting Friday morning
The McDowell County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting Friday morning at the County Administrative Offices at 69 N. Main St. in downtown Marion. Commission Vice Chairman Lynn Greene called the meeting to order. Commission Chairman Tony Brown and Commissioner Trisha Garner could not attend.
Recent statements by Commission Chairman Tony Brown about data centers resulted in a protest outside the County Administrative Offices on Friday morning. County officials stated Friday’s special meeting would not involve any discussion about data centers. Protesters held signs criticizing county officials for not being more transparent about any data centers before Election Day.
Recent statements by Commission Chairman Tony Brown about data centers resulted in a protest outside the County Administrative Offices on Friday morning. County officials stated Friday’s special meeting would not involve any discussion about data centers. Protesters held signs criticizing county officials for not being more transparent about any data centers before Election Day.
On Friday morning, the McDowell County Board of Commissioners held a special meeting to discuss economic development and personnel matters behind closed doors.
And after it was done, the commissioners agreed to hold a public hearing later this month about a manufacturing plant wanting to locate here.
The commissioners held the special meeting Friday morning at the County Administrative Offices at 69 N. Main St. in downtown Marion.
Commission Vice Chairman Lynn Greene called the meeting to order. Commission Chairman Tony Brown and Commissioner Trisha Garner could not attend.
The first thing the commissioners did was enter into a closed session to talk about an economic development matter and personnel matters.
After the closed session, the commissioners agreed to hold a public hearing on Thursday, Nov. 19, starting at 4 p.m. to consider an economic development project for a manufacturing company looking to locate in McDowell County, according to Interim County Manager Will Kehler.
The manufacturing operation proposes to hire 50 individuals and invest $13.2 million in building, machinery and equipment in McDowell County. The proposed wages paid by the company will exceed the McDowell County average wage, according to Kehler.
Regarding personnel matters, Spencer Elliott was selected as the new chief building inspector for the McDowell County Building Inspections Department.
The commissioners also approved an amendment to the fiscal year 2027 grade scale to add a paramedic II designation to the salary schedule for McDowell EMS. Madalyn Robinson, clerk to the board, said this is the same designation as deputy II for the sheriff’s office.
They also approved a resolution for a building reuse grant. This project was approved for an existing company in McDowell County at the Monday, Oct. 12, meeting held at the Carson House, where a public hearing was conducted, according to Kehler.
The commissioners also approved a request from the Glenwood Fire Department to waive building inspection fees for a new equipment room. A request from county staff to transfer a $500,000 Dogwood Health Trust grant to the city of Marion was likewise approved. This grant will assist with continued cleanup efforts at the old Drexel Heritage Furniture plant site, according to Kehler.
Friday’s special meeting was held after a controversy erupted on social media regarding statements made by the commission chairman about a possible data center in McDowell.
The day after the election, Commission Chairman Tony Brown told The McDowell News there is talk of a data center coming to McDowell and a company is looking at possibly building one. Such a center could bring “big revenue” to McDowell, but he added he would not support one until his concerns about its impact are settled, he said.
This generated much criticism toward county officials on social media.
In response to the criticism, Brown said there are data centers that are continually looking at all surrounding counties for possible data center sites, including McDowell County. But he added McDowell County officials have never spoken to any such company about a data center here in McDowell County, nor have they endorsed the idea of one coming here.
Residents are also encouraged to attend the next McDowell County Planning Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the lower-level boardroom of the McDowell County Services Building, located at 60 East St. in Marion. The Planning Board is working to create rules for any data centers that may be built here. The meeting will include an opportunity for public comment, according to the county’s statement.
The statements about data centers resulted in a protest outside the County Administrative Offices on Friday morning. County officials stated Friday’s special meeting would not involve any discussion about data centers. Protesters held signs criticizing county officials for not being more transparent about any data centers before Election Day.
The commissioners will hold their next meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, at 11:30 a.m. at the County Administrative Offices.
Tax Assessor Tammy Wylie will present the Schedule of Values during this meeting.
In North Carolina, a Schedule of Values is an official set of base rates, ranges and adjustment factors used by county appraisers to determine the market value of all real and personal property in the county at the time of a general reappraisal.
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Wylie’s office will advertise in The McDowell News, noting the SOV presentation has been made to the commissioners and that a public hearing will happen next, according to a previous story by The McDowell News.
Marion City Council special meeting
The Marion City Council will also hold a meeting Monday morning.
The City Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, Nov. 9, at 9 a.m. at the Marion Police Department’s boardroom located at 270 S. Main St., Marion.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss fire department vehicle requests and available funding for these vehicles, as well as an opportunity of grant money for the Drexel Heritage Furniture property, water distribution services and to hold a closed session about an economic development matter, according to City Clerk Katie Stinson.
