Titan America and its Carolinas Cement Co. subsidiary have changed their tune about accepting economic development grants and tax incentives for a controversial $450 million cement plant proposed in Castle Hayne, near Wilmington.
Carolinas Cement Co. announced in a Nov. 10 letter to Gov. Beverly Perdue that the company is declining tax rebates and incentives offered in 2008 that totaled more than $4.7 million from both the state and New Hanover County governments.
“We decided to forego the incentive money to expedite the project and bring much-needed jobs and economic enrichment to the community,” stated Bob Odom, general manager of Carolinas Cement Co. in a press release.
Odom said the company will proceed with plans to build the Castle Hayne plant after it obtains the necessary air quality permit and satisfies all requirements and studies specified under the National Environmental Policy Act.
“The plant will not be constructed until the studies have been completed and permits have been granted,” he said.
The New Hanover Board of Commissioners approved giving $4.2 million worth of taxpayer money to Titan in 2008 if Titan followed through with its plans to build the plant and create 160 new jobs.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce tossed in another $300,000 grant from the state’s One North Carolina Fund and a $200,000 Rail Access Grant to help sweeten the deal. Titan declined the Rail Access Grant in February 2009.
The project became controversial almost immediately after it was announced in April 2008, as New Hanover residents formed opposition groups to protest any pollution and destruction of wetlands that the plant’s construction and operation might cause.
No comments:
Post a Comment