State and local officials were on hand last October to accept nearly $36 million from the General Assembly for the proposed Great Meadows Megasite. Pictured from left are N.C. Rep Dudley Greene, McDowell County Commission Vice-Chair David Walker, N.C. Speaker Tim Moore, Burke Commissioners Scott Mulwee and Jeff Brittain, and N.C. Rep Hugh Blackwell.
State and local officials were on hand last October to accept nearly $36 million from the General Assembly for the proposed Great Meadows Megasite. Pictured from left are N.C. Rep Dudley Greene, McDowell County Commission Vice-Chair David Walker, N.C. Speaker Tim Moore, Burke Commissioners Scott Mulwee and Jeff Brittain, and N.C. Rep Hugh Blackwell.
Since it first started garnering headlines late last year, the proposed Great Meadows Megasite in western Burke County has been the source of numerous campaigns of both information and misinformation.
Rather than publishing another in a long line of stories that have appeared in our pages about the project – which is only in the beginning stages of what promises to be a long, drawn-out process – we offer this handy table of items that are known and as-yet unknown about the site.
Megasite: Keeping you in the know
What
Known: One of the few remaining high-potential industrial-development sites in the state with an excellent infrastructure foundation. Requires rezoning to Industrial.
Not Finalized: Dates of Burke County Commissioners vote on rezoning.
Where
Known: A 1,353-acre piece of private, undeveloped property on the western edge of Burke County between US 70 and Interstate 40, south of Lake James. Small sections are in McDowell County.
Why
Known: Proper development is projected to boost county tax revenues 24%, create hundreds of jobs and boost economies across Burke County.
How
Known: After rezoning to Industrial, a $35.8 million state grant will fund purchase of land and enable launch of infrastructure improvements.
Not Finalized: An undetermined amount of state monies would be required to support initial phases of site preparation and industry recruitment.
Who: Part 1
Known: A dual effort by the Burke County Commissioners and Burke County Economic Development Inc (BDI). BDI has enabled the process to advance to this stage. All monies and property acquisition managed by BDI. BDI cannot begin the next phase until rezoning is complete.
Not Finalized: Agency responsible for publicly leading the development — from zoning adjustment to recruitment to public education.
Who: Part 2
Known: A high-tech, environmentally respectful industry.
Not Finalized: Sustained public and private conversations with community leaders point to an industry in the next generation of EV / Hybrid automobiles.
When
Not Finalized: Public and private conversations with community leaders point to a mid-summer launch, depending on rezoning decisions. These dialogues indicate that the Commission next week will overrule its Zoning Planning Board Recommendation by approving a motion to reinstate conditional zoning throughout the county. A vote to rezone the Megasite as Industrial is reported to follow in May or June.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.