Drexel leaders discuss industry and housing plans

As the Town of Drexel lays the groundwork for future growth, town leaders spent much of Tuesday’s monthly meeting discussing industrial recruitment and housing development while declining to take on a property that officials said could put a burden on taxpayers.

Brandon Ruppe, new president and CEO of Burke Development Inc., gave the board insight into how his team is working to bring industry back to a 100-acre site in the heart of Drexel, one that he said is among the state’s premier sites.

The mission of BDI, a public-private nonprofit, is to strengthen the economy and provide local opportunities to Burke County residents, mainly through leveraging industrial investment to generate jobs and tax base, Ruppe said.

The organization has a staff of four, including Ruppe, Vice President Hope Hopkins, Director of Existing Industry Caleb Gardner, and recently hired Chief Marketing Officer Kristin Reese.

The group has put a major focus on manufacturing as the sector has the highest economic multiplier effect, meaning that companies tend to invest more in property and equipment, which are taxable, Ruppe said. In Burke County, 22% of the population works in manufacturing.

“Having a high taxpayer allows communities to keep tax rates low for citizens, and the same is true for utilities,” Ruppe said. “Generally, if you have a large utility customer, we can keep utility rates low for citizens.”

He added that the most important aspect is that manufacturing tends to create higher numbers of full-time jobs with better benefits and wages. The average manufacturing worker makes $55,289 a year, while the median household income in Burke County is $49,020.

For Ruppe, the mission is about more than bringing growth to Burke County. It’s about preserving the populations of younger generations in a county that has seen a decline in millennials as they go elsewhere to work, but an increase in older generations as they move to the area to retire.

“We’re not talking about bringing new people in. We’re talking about retaining our children and our grandchildren,” Ruppe said.

He added that Burke County, specifically, is set up for success when it comes to economic development due to excess utility capacities, commitment to product development, strong community partnerships, and the support that the community has for economic development as a whole.

BDI recently joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, a move that Ruppe said will help with marketing and visibility of Burke’s sites, including the Drexel Industrial Park.

Town Manager Bill Carroll noted that there haven’t been any recent developments at the site, other than some floodplain work. He added that Duke Energy has still not removed utility poles from the site.

After Ruppe explained that companies overwhelmingly look for buildings when they are searching for their next site, Alderman David Harmon asked Ruppe whether Drexel should consider adding a speculative building at the Drexel Industrial Park through a public-private partnership.

“It does bring a third party into the equation,” Ruppe said. “You lose some level of control over your destiny when you do that because they are a private entity that wants to make money, but you can structure that in a way where it’s a win-win to where the private sector and public sector both benefit.”

Ruppe said that the site still remains one of the most attractive industrial real estate properties in the state due to its size, pad readiness, and access to the railroad. If a company can’t find an existing building, they will move forward with a site.

BURNS STREET DEVELOPMENT

Not only did the board discuss future industry, but they discussed an agreement for the future townhome development on Burns Street. Back in March, the board approved preliminary sketches of the 13-unit project, which will be split into three buildings on one acre of land.

Because the developer wants to construct the first building and wait until its units are sold before building the other two, the board proposed an agreement with the developer to make sure investments in sewer, water, sidewalks, and roadways are covered in the event that something happens and the developer doesn’t finish the project.

Though the developer can’t be required to sign the agreement, they are consulting with their legal team. The board opened a public hearing, and while nobody spoke, the hearing was continued to the Aug. 4 meeting in case there are any changes.

200 PARK AVE.

At the June meeting, the board approved a $19,500 contract with Carolina Clearing and Excavation out of Taylorsville for the demolition of 200 Park Ave., a duplex damaged in a fire.

Property owner Sandra Blakeney offered to donate the property to the town, which resulted in a public comment at Tuesday’s meeting, expressing concerns about taxpayers footing the bill for another property owner’s alleged neglect.

Town Attorney Rod Willcox said that during his due diligence, he was surprised to find that there were about 25 judgments against Blakeney, with one being $17,000, Willcox said.

Code Enforcement Officer Kevin Wyatt, who works with the town through the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, said he knows of at least one other problem property that the owner has in another town in Burke County.

“It’s very complicated,” Carroll said. “It’s kind of a mess and is it something that we want to get involved with?”

The board collectively agreed to walk away from the idea of accepting the property.

OTHER ITEMS:

• The board honored WPCOG Planner Teresa Kinney’s service to the Town of Drexel, while welcoming planner Daniel Odom, who is filling her role.
• One resident spoke during public comments with concerns about lingering debris from Hurricane Helene. Carroll said the town may have to stop waiting on FEMA to begin addressing portions of the cleanup itself.
• Grow With Drexel will hold a farmers market on the front lawn of the R.O. Huffman Center for the next four Sundays. The market will begin at 12:30 p.m. and last until 3 p.m.