Evelyn Howell
Herald Staff Writer

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JACKSON —  In hopes of enticing new businesses and creating new higher-paying job opportunities to county residents, the  Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved a revised Capital Investment and Job Creation Program Monday.

The program’s aim is to encourage new businesses to locate in the Northampton County area and help existing businesses expanding within the county. The county and businesses can enter into an agreement by which they are billed for their full property tax but if they meet certain criteria can receive an economic development incentive grant to held defray the cost.

For instance, a business that has a property tax value of $10 million up to $49,999,99 and has created five new jobs can qualify up to a 50 percent incentive grant meaning if their property taxes amount to $5,000 then they will only have to pay $2,500.

Only manufacturing, value-added processing, warehousing and distribution, telecommunications, and tourism businesses are eligible participate in the program.

First created in 1997, the program has new criteria that  must be met such as a business must create a minimum of five new jobs in Northampton County where under the former guidelines, the minimum was four. Also, changes were made for the minimum investment of $250,000 to $2 million under the new guidelines.

Determination of eligibility and level of participation in the program is at the discretion of the Northampton County Board of Commissioners.

Monday, the board also approved these items:

• The board approved County Manager Wayne Jenkins’ recommendations to appoint Commissioner James Hester to serve on the Tri-County Authority Board for a four year term ending Sept. 30, 2012.

• The board approved a recommendation from Mary Anne Bolton, Chairperson of the Northampton Board of Elections to raise the salary of Susie V. Squire, director of elections.

• Michael Rentiers of Nucor Steel Corporation extended an invitation to a town hall meeting and complimentary dinner to be held Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Chowan University’s Helms Center on One University Place in Murfreesboro. The meeting will address the continued deterioration of the U.S. manufacturing sector and its impact on the economy.

• County Wayne Jenkins presented a request from the Northampton Facility and Security Committee to the board to pay for expenses for a $20,000 contract  with Trutech for remove bats from the courthouse, $82,000 for security needs of hiring two additional sworn deputy sheriffs and as well as an  assessment need for the courthouse which could cost around $42,000.

The board decided to take a closer look at the request and will address the issue at a later meeting.