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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: December 2, 2019 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-e <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution to Accompany the North Carolina Department of Commerce's <br /> Building Reuse Grant Incentive Application for ABB, Inc. <br /> DEPARTMENT: Economic Development <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Resolution Steve Brantley, Economic Development <br /> Director, (919) 245-2326 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a supporting Resolution, based on a request from the North Carolina <br /> Department of Commerce as part of the required documentation for the State's Building Reuse <br /> Grant incentive that was awarded to ABB, Inc. in July 2019, that endorses the County's role to <br /> help administer the eventual transfer of State funds from the North Carolina Department of <br /> Commerce to ABB for the State's Building Reuse Grant incentive related to the company's <br /> recent July 10t" announcement to expand its Orange County manufacturing facility. <br /> BACKGROUND: ABB, Inc. is a multi-national Swiss/Swedish owned electrical components <br /> manufacturer operating a large 400,000 square foot electrical assembly operation in western <br /> Orange County. Employing almost 600 employees, ABB is the County's single largest private <br /> employer and highest average salaried manufacturer. This operation was purchased from GE <br /> Industrial Energy Solutions in July 2018. <br /> In early 2019 ABB employed the site selection firm Deloitte USA to evaluate all cost and <br /> benefits options concerning a multi-state competitive analysis, with a primary focus on whether <br /> to consolidate operations and expand the firm's Mebane, Orange County operation, or choose <br /> another ABB plant location in Mississippi. This effort led to the State of North Carolina, Orange <br /> County, and the City of Mebane working in partnership to quote potential financial incentives <br /> intended to encourage ABB to expand operations in Orange County. On July 10, 2019, ABB <br /> and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper formally announced the firm had decided to select <br /> Mebane/Orange County to invest $39.5 million, add an additional 200,000 square feet of <br /> manufacturing space, and create 403 new jobs (with an average salary up to $70,789) over the <br /> next five years. <br /> In addition to Orange County and Mebane subsequently approving local performance-based <br /> financial incentives (Orange County's approval occurred on July 23rd), the State of North <br /> Carolina offered technical training support by the N. C. community college system, a <br />