Archive for October, 2023

Recreation Master Plan Open House – November 8, 2023

Posted October 31, 2023

November 7 2023 Municipal Election Information

Posted October 30, 2023

The 2023 Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, November 7. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Effective with the 2023 Municipal Election, valid photo identification is required to vote. Information about approved forms of identification and North Carolina’s voter photo ID requirement can be found on the NC State Board of Elections website.

To verify your voter registration is current and valid, to view a sample ballot, or to confirm your precinct and polling place, please use the Board of Elections voter lookup tool.

An important note for this year’s election, the polling place formerly listed as Creedmoor Elementary School is now listed as G.C. Hawley Middle School, which relocated to the former location of Creedmoor Elementary (305 East Wilton Avenue, Creedmoor) earlier this year. Voters who are accustomed to voting at Creedmoor Elementary will still report to the same facility, which now has a different name.

Eight precincts will be open for voters on Election Day:

Offices on 2023 Municipal Election Slate

– Town of Butner Council (3)
– Town of Butner Mayor
– City of Creedmoor Commissioner (3)
– City of Creedmoor Mayor
– City of Oxford Commissioner (3)
– City of Oxford Mayor
– Town of Stem Commissioner (2)
– Town of Stem Commissioner – Complete Unexpired Term
– Town of Stem Mayor
– Town of Stovall Commissioner (3)

For more information about voting in Granville County, please visit the Board of Elections website (https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/board-of-elections/) or call 919-693-2515.

County Residents Encouraged to Shine a Green Light for Veterans

Posted October 27, 2023

In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday, Granville County announced plans to participate in Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans. The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties (NACo), raises awareness around the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state, and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

Now in its second year, Operation Green Light is spearheaded by NACo and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, building upon successful efforts by the New York State Association of Counties and the NYS County Veteran Service Officers’ Association in 2021. In 2022, over 300 counties participated in Operation Green Light across the United States.

In addition to lighting county buildings, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb in their home to a green bulb. This can be an exterior light that neighbors and passersby see, or an interior light that sparks a conversation with friends. By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported.

“This simple gesture shows Granville Veterans and their families that they are appreciated and supported,” said Chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners Russ May. “Our local Veterans Services Office, Veterans Affairs Committee, and all of Granville County Government truly value and appreciate their service and sacrifice. We hope they know that they are seen and appreciated.”

Granville County Veterans Services will also participate in the upcoming Operation Green Light event and Veterans Parade in partnership with the City of Oxford. The event will be held in downtown Oxford from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 with the parade beginning at 3 p.m. along Williamsboro and College streets in Oxford.

Counties and residents across the country are sharing their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight. For more information on Operation Green Light, visit the NACo website.

Notice of Public Hearings – November 6, 2023

Posted October 25, 2023

Public Hearing #1

All interested persons please take notice that a public hearing will be held by the Granville County Board of Commissioners pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (N.C.G.S.) § 158-7.1(c) on November 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. The meeting will be held at the Granville Convention & Expo Center, located at 4185 Highway 15, Oxford, NC 27565.

The purpose of the public hearing is to hear the views of the public on the potential sale by Kerr-Tar Regional Economic Development Corporation (“KTREDC”), pursuant to a Contract for the Purchase of Real Property (the “Contract”), of approximately 127.16 acres of land, as further defined below as the Site, which Site is currently owned by KTREDC and in which Granville County has an economic interest, to Portman Industrial, LLC or its permitted assign (“Portman”).  Pursuant to the Contract, Portman would construct on the Site at least two separate buildings together comprising no less than Nine Hundred Forty Thousand square feet (940,000 sq. ft.) in the aggregate for manufacturing, research and development, life sciences, warehouse, distribution, logistics, or similar purposes (the “Project”).  Subject to comments received at the public hearing, the Board of Commissioners intends to approve the sale. 

Specific details of the proposed conveyance, as set forth in the proposed final version of the Contract negotiated by KTREDC and Portman, are as follows:

– The interest to be conveyed is fee simple ownership of an approximately 16-acre site consisting of two tracts (the “Site”) to be subdivided from a larger 510.97-acre parcel owned by KTREDC (the “Property”). The Site is located off Tabbs Creek Road and is a portion of the Property, and the Site is located exclusively in Granville County. The total Property from which the Site is being subdivided consists of approximately 510.97 acres as described at Deed Book 1223, Page 131, Granville County Registry and Deed Book 1238, Page 841, Vance County Registry, and is located in Granville County and Vance County (the “Property”).  The portion of the Property located in Granville County is also identified as Granville County Tax Map Number 193302865830 and the portion located in Vance County is known as Vance County Tax PIN numbers 0409 01038 and 0409 01001.

– The purchase price for the Site (the “Purchase Price”) shall be $35,000.00 per acre, based on the total acreage of the Site as determined by a subdivision plat to be recorded subdividing the Site from the Property. Based on the estimated acreage of the Site, it is expected that the Purchase Price will be approximately $4,450,600.

– KTREDC will also grant Portman a right of first refusal (the “ROFR”) in the portion of the Property not included in the Site (the “ROFR Property”). The ROFR provides that if KTREDC receives a written offer from a bona fide third party that is not an Exempt Industrial End User regarding a transfer of all or any portion of the ROFR Property (the “Subject Property”) for speculative development and such offer is acceptable to KTREDC and the County, Portman shall have the right to purchase the Subject Property.  “Exempt Industrial End User” means a third-party Industrial End User that intends to (A) acquire the Subject Property for the development (either directly or through an affiliate or one or more third party contractors) of an Exempt Project, (B) receive a tax incentive from the State, the County, or applicable local municipality in connection with such development, and (C) directly operate such Exempt Project following completion.  “Industrial End User” means an end user or occupier of commercial industrial space.  “Exempt Project” means an industrial project to be built on a non-speculative basis, excluding projects to be used primarily for warehousing or distribution purposes.  The ROFR will start on the Effective Date of the Contract and will continue until the first to occur of: (i) the termination date of the Contract, (ii) the date of any Exempt Transfer with respect to the Subject Property, (iii) a default beyond any applicable notice and cure period by Portman under any definitive agreement between KTREDC and Portman regarding the sale of Subject Property, or (iv) 540 days after the Effective Date of the Contract. Portman may extend the ROFR for up to two (2) periods of one (1) year each by depositing $100,000 earnest money for each extension, which would be applied to the Purchase Price at closing.

– Portman must commence vertical construction on one of the two tracts comprising the Site within twelve (12) months following closing (subject to Force Majeure). Portman must commence vertical construction on the second tract within twelve (12) months of completion of construction on the first tract (subject to Force Majeure). Vertical construction is deemed to have commenced upon the pouring of the foundation of the applicable structure. If Portman defaults in its obligation to commence vertical construction by the applicable deadlines, KTREDC’s sole remedy will be an agreed upon amount of liquidated damages per day, subject to an overall cap. Upon reaching the cap, KTREDC may repurchase the Property for the Purchase Price (or a portion thereof based on acreage if less than all the Property).

– The Contract is contingent on Granville County providing Portman an economic development incentive on a reimbursement basis of $1,100,000 for site development at the Site.

– Portman may assign the Contract any entity which is owned in whole or in part by, or is directly or indirectly controlled by, managed by or under common control with, Portman (including, without limitation, one or more direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Portman) without the consent of KTREDC or Granville County, provided that Portman shall remain liable for performance of all its obligations under the Contract and shall ratify such obligations in writing in the event of any such assignment. 

– The Project shall be completed in a manner and using materials consistent with a first-class industrial project, which expressly excludes prefabricated metal buildings as a principal structure (provided, however, that ancillary prefabricated metal structures, such as guardhouses and sheds, shall be permitted).

The following limitations shall apply to the Project:

– Portman shall exclusively market, lease, or sell the Project to manufacturing, life science, biotech, and/or product assembly end users until the date that is three (3) months following Portman’s completion of the first phase of the Project;

– If no such end user is secured within the three (3) month period, Portman may market, sell, or lease the Project to any industrial user (including warehouse and distribution users);

– The amount of warehouse and distribution space will be limited to 400,000 square feet for the Project and to a total of 1,000,000 square feet for the Property; and

– No portion of the Project shall be used for Last Mile Uses without KTREDC and the County’s prior consent. “Last Mile Uses” means the transportation of goods directly from a warehouse to the point of consumption.

Before approving the purchase, the Commissioners shall (1) determine the probable average hourly wage to be paid to workers by the type of businesses likely to be located at the Property and (2) the fair market value of the interest, subject to the repurchase option described above.

All interested citizens are invited and urged to attend.

Public Hearing #2

Granville County proposes to appropriate and expend county funds for the following economic development project pursuant to North Carolina General Statute (N.C.G.S.) § 158-7.1.  The County Board of Commissioners intends to consider entering into a contract with Portman Industrial, LLC (the “Company”), under which the county will reimburse the Company for the cost of site preparation on land to be acquired by the Company from Kerr-Tar Regional Economic Development Corporation (“KTREDC”) consisting of an approximately 127.16-acre site (the “Site”).  The Site consists of two tracts to be subdivided from a larger 510.97-acre parcel owned by KTREDC (the “Property”). The Site is located off Tabbs Creek Road and is a portion of the Property, and the Site is located exclusively in Granville County. The total Property from which the Site is being subdivided consists of approximately 510.97 acres as described in Deed Book 1223, Page 131, Granville County Registry and Deed Book 1238, Page 841, Vance County Registry, and is located in Granville County and Vance County.  The portion of the Property located in Granville County is also identified as Granville County Tax Map Number 193302865830 and the portion located in Vance County is known as Vance County Tax PIN numbers 0409 01038 and 0409 01001.

The costs for which the county will reimburse the Company include clearing and grading the Site and associated erosion control and stormwater control activities.  The cost of such activities to the county will not exceed $1,100,000.  The county will fund the project with available revenues in the county’s General Fund.  The Board believes that the Company’s development of the Site will stimulate and stabilize the local economy and result in the creation of a substantial number of new, permanent jobs in the county.  As part of its contract to purchase the Site, the Company has agreed to certain restrictions on the use of the Property that the county believes will further help attract jobs that will pay at or above the median average wage in the county.

The Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the county’s proposed appropriation and expenditure of funds for this project on November 6, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. The meeting will be held at the Granville Convention & Expo Center, located at 4185 Highway 15, Oxford, NC 27565.  The Commissioners invite all interested persons to attend and present their views.

Volunteers Sought for Citizen Advisory Boards

Posted October 24, 2023

The Granville County Board of Commissioners is seeking qualified applicants to fill roles on several citizen advisory boards and committees. Most positions will be filled by citizens who reside in the district listed, but final appointment decisions are at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. Additionally, some positions must be filled by residents that reside within the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of a municipality (ETJ), which is roughly a one-mile radius outside of the municipal limits. These appointees serve as county representatives on those municipal advisory boards.

Applications are available on the Granville County website at this link. Completed applications should be returned to Debra Weary, Clerk to the Board of Commissioners, by email at debra.weary@granvillecounty.org, hand delivered in person to the County Administration Office located at 104 Belle Street in Oxford, or by mail to PO Box 906 Oxford, NC 27565 to the attention of Debra Weary.

To verify your district, please visit the NC State Board of Elections website.

Look for the district number beside “County Commissioner” under “your jurisdictions.” If you need additional information, contact the Granville County Addressing and GIS Mapping Coordinator at 919-692-1278.

Detailed information about each committee can be found on the Granville County website.

Vacant seats are available for the following boards and committees:

– Adult Home Care Community Advisory Committee (two At-Large seats). New members must complete a 36-hour training course completed in three phases.

– Butner Board of Adjustment (ETJ Alternate, should reside in District 7). The Butner Board of Adjustment meets monthly on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

– Butner Planning Board (ETJ, should reside in District 7). The Butner Planning Board meets monthly on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

– Granville County Planning Board (District 7). The Planning Board meets monthly on Thursdays at 7 p.m.

– Human Relations Commission (Districts 6 and 7). The Human Relations Commission meets monthly on Mondays at 7 p.m.

– Juvenile Crime Prevention Council (District 7). The Juvenile Crime Prevention Council meets monthly on Fridays at 10 a.m.

– Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee (At-Large). New members must complete a 36-hour training course completed in three phases.

– Oxford Planning Board (ETJ – two seats). The Oxford Planning Board meets monthly on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.

– Social Services (one appointed by Granville County and one appointed by the NC Social Services Commission). The Board of Social Services meets monthly on Tuesdays at 5 p.m.

Notice of Public Hearing – November 6, 2023

Posted October 24, 2023

Notice is hereby given in compliance with the Machinery Act of North Carolina under G.S. 105-317 that the proposed schedules, standards, and rules to be used in appraising real property, for market and use value, in Granville County have been submitted to the Granville County Board of Commissioners and are available for public inspection in the Assessor’s office at 141 Williamsboro St., Oxford NC or viewed online at this link.

A public hearing on the proposed schedules, standards, and rules will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 7:00pm, during the Board of Commissioners regular meeting, at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center, 4185 US Hwy 15 South, Oxford, NC.          

Board of Elections Meeting Notice – October 24, 2023

Posted October 23, 2023

The Granville County Board of Elections will meet in the Board of Elections office at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 to count absentee ballots and then hold a closed session meeting as allowed by G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3).

Notice of Fire Commission Meeting Cancellation – October 23, 2023

Posted October 23, 2023

The Granville County Fire Commission meeting originally scheduled for Monday, October 23 has been cancelled due to a lack of quorum. 

Early Voting for 2023 Municipal Election

Posted October 20, 2023

Granville County Receives US Department of Energy Grant

Posted October 20, 2023

On October 12, 2023, Durham County was announced as one of 12 selectees of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program, a funding opportunity from the Office of State and Community Energy Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy. Durham County, the only entity in North Carolina to be selected for the grant program, was awarded $1.5 million to implement a program that will reduce energy burdens and promote energy efficiency in under-resourced neighborhoods in Durham, Orange, and Granville Counties.

The $1.5 million award will fund the NC Energy Burden & Emissions Reduction Program (EBERP), a collaboration between Durham, Granville, and Orange Counties in partnership with the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, North Carolina Clean Energy Fund, Enpira, Inc., Central Pines Regional Council, Piedmont Triad Regional Council, and Marian Cheek Jackson Center. The goal of the EBERP is to reduce energy burdens, build organizational capacity, and develop clean energy technical skills in rural and urban neighborhoods across the three counties.

“I am thrilled about the transformative impact this grant will have on the Durham community,” said Durham Board of County Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton. “The EBERP Program is a testament to our commitment to fostering a more equitable and sustainable future for all. Providing needed home energy upgrades to communities in Durham disproportionately impacted by a higher energy burden, will improve the well-being and health of these residents by alleviating income stress and reducing emissions in their communities.”

The EBERP will conduct neighborhood-focused residential energy upgrades in Justice40 communities and other overburdened and underserved communities most impacted by pollution and other environmental hazards. They will also conduct energy efficiency workforce training efforts in disadvantaged communities. The program is expected to impact more than 350 households, reducing energy use by 8-20% while making homes healthier and more affordable. The program will be developed over the next 6-8 months and is expected to be open for participants in late 2024.

“Orange County is committed to environmental justice issues and improving the lives of all residents, including members of disadvantaged communities,” said Orange Board of County Commissioners Chair Jamezetta Bedford. “This grant will help us achieve our goals of reducing energy usage while improving financial outcomes for overburdened and underserved communities.”

“Participating in the EBERP program will have a real impact on the quality of life for Granville County residents,” said Chair of the Granville County Board of Commissioners Russ May. “Rural communities like ours are so often unable to participate in federal grant opportunities due to a lack of staff capacity to administer programs of this scale. We are thankful to the public/private collaboration and partnerships that made this grant award possible, and we look forward to building upon this program in the years to come.”

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Competitive Program, funded by President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, awarded $8.8 million in funding to 12 small-to-medium sized local governments and state-recognized Tribes to use to implement projects and programs in their communities that reduce fossil fuel emissions, improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and cut overall energy use.