BY KARISSA MILLER
Iredell County commissioners on Tuesday approved a $167,387 economic development incentive for an automotive supply manufacturer based in Mooresville.
MacLean Fogg and MacLean Curtis are planning to invest up to $16.3 million in new machinery and equipment as they initiate new drive line component products for electric vehicles with the full investment due by December 21, 2028.
The company has 135 existing employees and is planning to create 14 to 28 jobs with an average salary of $65,893.
The incentive would be paid over five years, and a contract must be executed within 180 days.
Change to In-Home Daycare Regulations
In other matters, the board approved a text amendment to the land development code regarding home daycares that increases capacity up to 10 children.
County Manager Beth Mull explained that the state law regarding in-home day cares changed and the county is simply aligning its code to state law.
According to Planning Director Matthew Todd, the county’s code currently allows for eight children at in-home day cares.
Jennings Park Security Upgrade
The board also continued a discussion about adding blue light emergency towers at Jennings Park. The towers are easy to see in the dark and are used to summon help in emergency situations.
The county manager said the towers would be similar to the poles at Liberty Park in Mooresville. In addition to the installation costs, there would be a monthly service fee associated with the poles.
The estimated cost could be between $10,000 to $15,000 to install each unit.
Commissioner Brad Stroud said that he supports installing the towers because cell phones aren’t always reliable and it’s important for people to feel safe.
“It’s not simply that I want to spend money, but we owe a level of safety and security in some of those remote areas of the park,” he said.
“What’s the value if it saves one life — whether it’s a medical emergency or a much more sinister reason?” he added.
Vice Chairman Bert Connolly agreed.
“Mooresville has done and it’s worked pretty good for them. I think it’s something we need to do,” he said.
Connolly suggested placing poles at each end of the parking lot and two more on the walking trail. He said they should be placed in secluded areas of the park, rather than the fields that are generally populated with people during games.
The towers are not part of the current budget for Jennings Park project. Mull told the board that the staff would draft a budget amendment to bring back to the board for a vote.