Incentive package crafted to entice manufacturer to bring 64 jobs to Burke

The Burke County Board of Commissioners approved tonight an economic development incentive package for a manufacturing project that would bring approximately 64 new jobs to the county.

The project, which is being referred to as Project Arlington, involves a domestic, family-owned company that is considering coming to either Burke County or a county in Virginia. The company is projected to invest a cumulative amount of approximately $7 million in net new investments over the next five years, and the jobs created would include an average annual wage of $58,984, which exceeds the county median of $49,020.

The company also has an annual profit-sharing program for employees, and it plans to repurpose an existing building in the county for its use. Under the proposed incentive agreement, Burke County would reimburse the company a total estimated amount of approximately $61,050 over a four-year period.

County Manager Brian Epley and Burke Development Incorporated President and CEO Brandon Ruppe served as co-presenters of the incentive package, which was ultimately approved in a 4-0 vote — Vice Chairman Phil Smith was absent — as board members expressed excitement about the possibility of creating additional jobs in Burke County.

“You guys are doing a heck of a job,” board member Mike Stroud said following the presentations by Epley and Ruppe. “I mean, this is good news. This is stuff we can get excited about and the community can get excited about, and we’re starting a culture where things are getting better. We’re bringing in all the right people and everybody’s getting on the same page, and we’ve got some exciting times ahead.”

Western Piedmont Community College President Dr. Joel Welch also spoke during the public hearing. He explained that although “companies can come and go,” developing individual skill sets is vital to community growth and can result in similar companies moving into the area in the future.