The Catawba County Board of Commissioners convened yesterday, at 7 pm, moving through a packed agenda that touched on everything from economic development to opioid crisis response, as per a recap posted on the county's official website. Kicking off the proceedings, the BOC approved the minutes from their August 4 meeting and swiftly transitioned into appointments, including Vice-Chair Austin Allran as voting delegate for the NCACC Annual Conference, and new members for both the VFD Trustees' Fireman’s Relief Fund and the Social Services Board.
Presentations took center stage with updates on the county's strategic focus areas. County Manager Mary Furtado, alongside Opioid SUD Program Coordinator Jamie Todd and REACH Crew Chief Jason Powell, requested an appropriation of $162,266 from the Opioid Settlement Fund, earmarked for the Catawba Valley Medical Center CARE Team Project—an ask that the BOC approved. The Economic Development Strategic Plan presentation by Furtado and Economic Development Director Nathan Huret resulted in authorization for the EDC to enact the Catawba Future-Ready Manufacturing Grant Pilot Program and re-allocate $100,000 in support of the initiative, according to the Catawba County website.
Public hearings touched on the acquisition of land for a new business park. Commissioners consented to allowing the County Manager to sign off on agreements for approximately 29.18 acres, to the tune of $3.65 million, setting the stage for development in Southeastern Catawba County. The consent agenda saw the board green-light a slew of donations, including ambulances and portable radios, along with the awarding of a significant construction bid for the Sherrills Ford Convenience Center Improvements.
In managerial updates, Furtado provided timelines for upcoming community conversations regarding the needs of school facilities. Further reaching decisions included the acquisition of a small plot of land adjoining South Newton Elementary School, with the commissioners approving the purchase. Ultimately, the meeting wrapped at 8:45 pm, shifting into a closed session.
