Greene County Commissioners approve, match grant for Unifab
Rick Davis, executive director of Greene County Economic Development Commission, speaks with the Greene County Board of Commissioners on Monday evening. Photo by Rudy Coggins/NeuseNews
SNOW HILL - The Greene County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved Monday evening to support the Unifab re-use building grant proposal and committed to a five-percent match of the grant value awarded by North Carolina.
The maximum grant value is $100,000 and is still being finalized, according to Rick Davis, executive director of the county's Economic Development Commission. The maximum county match is $5,000.
Davis said the project proposal has been submitted for initial review to the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. He spoke with James Wolfe, the southeastern manager for industry expansion, and was told, "it has a very good chance of passing."
Unifab manufactures cargo lifts and personal lifts for beachfront properties. At one time, the company used to sell directly to the consumer, now it sells lifts through a network of dealers who operate along the North Carolina coast.
Davis said Unifab plans to acquire additional space in an existing building located on Highway 58 south of Cutter Creek. The structure is 1,600 square feet, but needs an additional 6,000 square feet which will allow Unifab to increase its capacity.
The move will require Unifab to hire 10 new employees within the next two years to help handle shipping, customer service, sales and clerical duties. The additional sales will generate the need for welding and assembly heads.
Unifab currently leases space from Tide Tamer, which plans to extend its current operations.
In other Board actions:
a) The Commissioners unanimously approved to reimburse each employee $7.50 who participates in the departmental luncheon in celebration of the Christmas holiday.
b) The Commissioners unanimously approved exempt employees storm overtime pay from Hurricane Dorian.
c) The Commissioners plan to hold a workshop with department heads regarding proposed changes in the personnel policy so it meets county standards and is in line with the law. The workshop is Nov. 6 at 9 a.m. at the Wellness Center.
d) Plaques commemorating the completion of the EMS facility and Wellness Center should include the Commissioners, manager, department director, architect and builder.
