Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 23, 1993 TAG: 9306230257
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The county now wants to offer the same incentives to non-manufacturing companies, including those already in Roanoke County that are considering expansion.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors embarked on the new policy when it agreed to pay half the cost of water connections for an office building and motel.
Both projects are under construction already and would have been built without the incentives.
But County Administrator Elmer Hodge said it was good business to treat existing companies like industrial prospects.
"Why should we not do the same for an existing business if they are willing to increase the tax base and employment opportunities?"
The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to approve:
Payment of $7,772 to offset the cost of water connections to a 27,000-square-foot office building at Valleypointe, an industrial park off Peters Creek Road. The Lingerfelt Companies, which opened Valleypointe with more than $2 million in help from county taxpayers, will lease the building to the U.S. Forest Service and other tenants.
Payment of $14,950 to offset the cost of water connections for an expansion of Hampton Inn on Thirlane Road. The motel, formerly an Econo Lodge, is owned by a company headed by former state Sen. Granger MacFarlane.
Hodge said the county will recoup its investment in the first year from increased real estate taxes and other local taxes generated by the two projects.
The Board of Supervisors delayed action on a general policy for so-called "public-private partnerships." The draft policy would allow the county to pay up to 50 percent of site improvements if a company will create jobs and generate enough new tax revenue to allow the county to recoup its investment within three years.
Windsor Hills District Supervisor Lee Eddy suggested changes that would allow staff to guarantee the incentives to certain companies without board approval.
\ ROANOKE COUNTY SUPERVISORS\ IN OTHER ACTION\ \ Jail study: Approved $15,000 for an engineering study to increase the capacity of the Roanoke County-Salem Jail by adding a second bunk to existing cells and converting a rooftop recreation area into a dormitory for trusties. The money would also pay for a feasibility study for a possible jail expansion.\ \ Cost overruns: Agreed to $223,296 in cost overruns for refuse collection because of recent storms and unanticipated repairs to garbage trucks.\ \ Amtrak resolution: Endorsed a resolution calling on Amtrak to route passenger train service from New York to Atlanta through the Roanoke Valley.\ \ Hearing put off: Postponed until July 27 a public hearing on a proposed change to zoning regulations that would allow amateur radio towers in residential areas.
by CNB