01-17-2023 Closed Session #3 Meeting Minutes BOCJanuary 17, 2023, Closed Session #3 Page 1 of 2
Person County Board of Commissioners
Minutes of a Closed Session
DATE: January 17, 2023
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Chairman Powell,
Vice Chairman Sims,
Commissioner Puryear,
Commissioner Palmer, and
Commissioner Thomas
OTHERS PRESENT:
County Manager, Katherine Cathey,
Clerk to the Board, Brenda Reaves, and
County Attorney, Ellis Hankins
CLOSED SESSION #3
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to enter into Closed Session
#3 at 12:04pm per General Statutes 143-318.11(a)(4) for the purpose of discussion of matters
relating to the location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the area served by the
public body, including agreement on a tentative list of economic development incentives that may
be offered by the public body in negotiations and 143-318.11(a)(5) to establish, or to instruct the
public body's staff or negotiating agents concerning the position to be taken by or on behalf of the
public body in negotiating the price and other material terms of a contract or proposed contract for
the acquisition of real property by purchase, option, exchange, or lease with the following
individuals permitted to attend: County Attorney Ellis Hankins, County Manager Katherine
Cathey, Clerk to the Board Brenda Reaves, Interim Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch
and Tax Administrator Russell Jones.
Chairman Powell called Closed Session #3 to order at 12:04pm.
Interim Economic Development Director Brandy Lynch requested Closed Session #3 to
inform the Board about Project Mars, who was requesting financial incentives as soon as possible.
Ms. Lynch noted Project Mars has a partnership with NC State University and desires to be located
in close proximity with the university. She added Project Mars has disclosed very little at this time
but the office of EDPNC called Person County trying to assist with a site. Ms. Lynch said a
previous site considered was in Holly Springs and it did not work out. Ms. Lynch noted the project
would need water and sewer.
Ms. Lynch stated the initial investment was $1.179B with up to $3B within 5 years. She
added 660 jobs are projected in 5-years with 800 in 10-years. Project Mars average salary is
$76,439 as compared to Person County’s average wage of $46,236.
Ms. Lynch stated Project Mars was very interested in Person County’s Mega Park site. Ms.
Lynch reminded the Board of Person County’s need to exercise the option to obtain the property at
$20K/acre by the end of the 2023. Although, she was not privy for the type of business, she
suspected the business to be in line with chip manufacturing or a semi-conductor industry; Vice
Chairman Sims that in his experience, there was an impressive talent pool from NC State University
and the RTP area.
January 17, 2023, Closed Session #3 Page 2 of 2
Ms. Lynch stated Project Mars was seeking 60 acres. She illustrated a conservative
financial incentives 10-year grant package using new capital investment of $3,041,000,000 and
recommending 60% for the first three years, 55% for the next three years, 50% for two years and
45% for the final two years for a grand total of $56,632,691. Tax Administrator Russell Jones
stated an aggressive depreciation in value was expected as justification to start at 60%.
Ms. Lynch confirmed any financial incentives agreement would mandate the requirement
to maintain employee numbers.
It was the consensus of the Board as a starting place for the financial incentives based on
the limited knowledge of Project Mars and the urgency of the request.
Commissioner Palmer asked if the final survey had been completed on the Mega Park site
to which Ms. Lynch said she received it on January 4th or 5th for the three tracts totaling 1,344.84
acres.
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Sims and carried 5-0 to return to open session at
12:38pm.