Commissioners OK local building projects

ASHEBORO — Randolph County commissioners signed off on the next steps for Randolph Community College (RCC)’s capital projects, Liberty water service and an open industrial lot.

At its meeting on Sept. 1, the Board of Commissioners also said a historic marker may go up at the final resting place of hundreds of county citizens.

Next steps for building projects

■ The county will contribute half of $160,000 in incentives for the Highway 311 South Site. The 67 acres beside the railroad, owned by Ace/Avant, have been available for about two decades. However, Randolph County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) Business Recruitment Director Crystal Gettys says the site needs significant work to make it more attractive before an industry might consider it.

Randleman will be asked to contribute the other half. The RCEDC will chip in $9,200 left from a grant for Ross’ site in Randleman.

Gettys said the county will need to buy about four acres next to the Highway 311 South Site to complete the work.

■ RCC President Shah Ardalan requested a budget ordinance, which the commissioners approved, to put $3 million toward the college’s Applied Industrial Artificial Intelligence Center and deferred maintenance projects. The money will come from the Capital Reserve Fund.

County Manager Zeb Holden said RCC has already spent funds on improving the Continuing Education/Industrial Center; the Photography, Cosmetology, the Allied Health Center; and land for the Liberty Training Center.

■ A water line for Liberty is ready for the design phase. County Engineer Paxton Arthurs presented a proposed contract by McGill Engineering to cover design, bid and construction administration for $394,500.

In January, the commissioners agreed to an interlocal agreement to build a water line that ties into Greensboro’s water tank. Randolph County plans to sell water to Liberty through that. McGill has finished a preliminary engineering report and determined the best route is Old US 421 South.

Revaluation hearing

A public hearing for the 2027 property revaluation will take place on Oct. 5.

Tax Assessor Debra Hill presented the proposed schedule, standards and rules for the reappraisal. The public will have the opportunity to hear them before commissioners adopt them.

Hill explained that state law requires a reappraisal at least every eight years. Randolph County holds its reappraisal on a four-year cycle.

■ Building Inspections Director David Bryant announced the state is implementing new mandatory fees for building permits. As part of the budget, the North Carolina Legislature established a dedicated state fund, and each county must collect the funds. He said the state plans to use the money for building code enforcement.

Poor House Cemetery marker

Ricky Allred will pay for a special marker to honor 405 people buried at the Poor House Cemetery. 

The Poor House was created in the 19th century to care for poor, disabled and indigent elderly citizens. In 1922, it was replaced by the County Rest Home, but the cemetery, built on what is now Caraway Mountain Road and Old County Farm Road, continued to be used.

The county’s Historic Landmark Commissioner recognized the Poor House Cemetery as a Local Cultural Heritage Site this year.

Allred published a book about his research, “The Least of These: Caring for the Poor in Randolph County, 1794-1922.” He said he found only one marked grave out of hundreds. Wiley Monuments will make the historic marker.