TITLE
Title
PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ALLOCATION OF ARPA FUNDS FOR THE NUSSBAUM CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Michael Halford (Amy Addington)
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BACKGROUND
Background
During the Board of Commissioners' work session on October 6, 2022, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was approved to enter into an agreement with the following non-profit organization to benefit their project which is outlined below:
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship - $2,000,000
This agreement will support improvements on the section of The Steelhouse designated as Phase 2. NCFE will create an insulated shell (roof, walls and floors) and up fit bathrooms to accommodate tenants in The Steelhouse.
Pursuant to NC General Statute 158-7.1, local governments must hold a public hearing to receive input prior to approval of any appropriation for economic development purposes. Additionally, Session Law 2021-191 modifies governing board members' duty to vote and recusal procedures. Specifically Section 14-234.3 prohibits public officials who also serve as directors, officers or governing board members for non-profit organizations from participating in, making or administering any contracts with those non-profits. When a governing board member considers a contract with a non-profit organization, including the award of any funding, board members involved with that non-profit must recuse themselves from any deliberation and record their recusal with the Clerk to Board.
A public hearing will be held on appropriating county funding towards an economic development incentive grant for the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship and the listed project.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Conduct a public hearing, pursuant to NC General Statute 158-7.1, for the purposes of receiving input on the proposed allocation of a $2,000,000 economic development incentive grant to the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship. Pursuant to Session Law 2021-191, specifically Section 14-234.3, conduct a vote to approve the proposed economic development incentive grant, which will increase the population, taxable property, agricultural industries, employment, industrial output or business prospects of the County, and authorize the County Manager, or designee, to enter into an agreement, in substantial form, with the non-profit organization.
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