BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
The Statesville City Council on Monday approved an economic incentive for Betco Industries for the purchase of new machinery and equipment.
The incentive, titled “Project Keepsake,” was for up to $106,010, amounting to $21,202 each year for five years.
Betco Industries is a Statesville-based company, founded in 1984, said Jenn Bosser, president and CEO of the Iredell County Economic Development Corporation. The company, which specializes in the design, manufacture and installation of steel buildings, operates out of a 125,000-square-foot facility in Statesville.
Betco plans to make a capital investment of $10 million by the end of 2026 and retain 142 employees.
After a public hearing, at which no one spoke about the project, council approved the request.
Residential growth concerns council member
In other business, Councilman Joe Hudson expressed concerns about increased residential development. He said he had been a big supporter of residential development, but after the council’s recent fall planning session he had a fundamental shift in that opinion.
“Manufacturing and commercial development — bring it on,” he said.
Hudson said he would like to see the city develop a strategic plan concerning residential development.
“I just feel like we need to get a better handle on this development,” he said.
Mayor Costi Kutteh said City Manager Ron Smith and the planning staff are working on a plan, which will be presented at the first council meeting in December.
Budget Priorities
Councilman Steve Johnson also commented about the fall planning session and what he believes should be prioritized in the 2025-2026 budget.
He said the number one priority in his viewpoint should be raises for city employees and some increase in the capital equipment budget.
“I’ve been a businessman since my early 20s … I can tell you from experience, if you take care of your people and you take care of your stuff, 90 percent of your problems never make it to Mr. Smith’s office,” Johnson said. “Because you have good people working for you and the right equipment, they will resolve that problem, solve that problem before he ever realizes there is a problem.”