INSIDE ▼ College expands career program PAGE 4B Friday, February 14, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 7
thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly
@ucweekly
Mystery company to invest $100M in expansion by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – An existing company plans to invest $100 million to build an advanced manufacturing center, according to Monroe-Union County Economic Development.
Ron Mahle, director of Monroe-Union County
EDC, told county commissioners Feb. 3 that the identity of the company would be kept confidential because it is also pursuing economic incentives through the state. If awarded, North Carolina should make a formal announcement within the next few weeks, according to Mahle. Right now, the company
is known as “Project Nickel.” “The company produces very sophisticated products, which are delivered to customers across the globe,” Mahle said. “Demand for its products has grown to a level where its current manufacturing capacity cannot keep up.” The company plans to build a new 50,000-square
foot processing center as well as create 65 new fulltime jobs, paying an annual wage of $78,000, in Union County. Mahle said the company qualified for a county economic incentive grant for up to $2,350,000 paid over five years, beginning in fiscal year 2028. The company would pay $2,940,000 in ad valor-
em taxes over the course of the grant period based on its investment. Commissioners approved the incentives Feb. 3. Mahle said his assistant director, Rachael Holzman, learned about the opportunity this past summer while attending the Farnborough International Airshow in England.
Where are they now? Christopher Platé, who led Monroe-Union County EDC from 1999 to 2024, has landed in Florida. Platé serves as executive director of the FloridaWest Economic Development Alliance, which serves the Pensacola area.
We also know the company has a corporate headquarters and processing center in another state.
TreesUnion shares goals with county leaders By Meredith Marr Contributor
We're here to introduce TreesUnion, which is a growing grassroots organization founded in 2023 with members across Union County – all dedicated to enhancing the area's tree canopy with the goal of improving residents’ lives, health, safety and quality of life We're fortunate to have the expertise of Union County's urban forestry program in establishing and supporting our initiatives. Through this collaboration and other partnerships, we're addressing the critical challenge of tree canopy loss as our growing county continues to develop, particularly in areas like Waxhaw, Indian Trail and Monroe. Union County's planning department projects we will have around 400,000 residents by 2025, which is about a 60% increase. Our strongest partnership is with Union County Public Schools, where we've already made a significant impact. Working closely with UCPS administrators and facility staff, we planted 36 trees
this last fall at local elementary schools, creating Better Learning environments and safer playgrounds for generations of students. We also planted some trees on the Monroe Greenway to add shade to a very sunny portion of that. Combined with our three tree plantings that we did this fall, we engaged over a hundred parent and student volunteers at Stallings Elementary, Union Elementary and the Monroe Greenway, fostering environmental stewardship. Research shows that trees deliver crucial public health benefits. Tree-lined streets have been shown to improve traffic safety while strategic tree placement can reduce residential energy costs by up to 25%. For our children, trees around schools, playgrounds and homes correlate with reduced ADHD symptoms, lower asthma rates, among many other benefits. For fiscal year 2026, we're looking forward to expanding our impact through three key initiatives: • Planting 200 trees at Union County Public
Landon McNeill, 9, a fourth-grader at Stallings Elementary, (center) poses with his parents, Darrick Jackson and Quinteta McNeill and his grandmother, Sebrina McNeill, Nov. 2 after planting a tree near to the school’s bus lot. Photos courtesy of Deb Coates Bledsoe
Schools. We've got a goal of reaching about 25% tree canopy coverage around the playground areas. • Distributing 1,000 seedlings at community and Arbor Day events to engage the residents and the public. • Providing 200 trees to neighborhoods with below average canopy coverage. We are brand new so we operate a lean ship. We are able to dedicate over 97% of our funding and donations directly to tree plantings and distribution. We do this through maintaining strong
partnerships with local organizations, municipalities, businesses and volunteers. We're seeking your support to help create a greener, healthier and more prosperous Union County that maintains its natural character while accommodating growth. Meredith Marr, who chairs the board of directors for TreesUnion. gave these remarks during the Feb. 3 meeting of the Union County Board of Commissioners.
Congressmen honor N.C. Rep. Arp for saving woman from fire WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Mark Harris (NC08) and Tim Moore (NC-14) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 6 to honor N.C. Rep. Dean Arp. While driving to Raleigh on Feb. 3, Arp noticed smoke coming Dean Arp from a mobile home in Richmond County and turned around to investigate. Realizing a 77-year-old woman in a wheelchair was trapped inside, he rushed into the burning home and pulled her to safety just moments before it was fully engulfed in flames. Here is what Harris and Moore had to say about the incident. U.S. Rep. Mark Harris
“I rise today to honor one of my constituents, Rep. Dean Arp of the North Carolina General Assembly, for going above and beyond and putting his life on the line for a fellow North Carolinian. “Just this week, on Monday night, Rep. Arp found himself in a position of seeing something that just looked concerning during a road trip. He noticed smoke coming from a roadside mobile home being moved in his heart to turn around and stop. Rep. Arp discovered a woman in a wheelchair trying to escape her burning home. “So what did Rep. Arp do? He took his public service
Stallings Elementary students and their parents stand patiently in line Nov. 2 in the bus parking lot waiting for TreesUnion members to hand over a shovel, watering bucket and a young tree to be planted either in the playground area or the school’s bus lot.
to a whole new level, rescuing her from the flaming house and saving the woman's life. Not everyone would have the courage to step up and get engaged. Rep. Arp clearly has a hero's heart, and in the day of the slogan, ‘if you see something, say something’. I thank God, Rep. Arp saw something and did something to change the outcome.” U.S. Rep. Tim Moore
“[I] had the opportunity to serve in the N.C. General Assembly with him for many years and talk about a man who embodies a servant's heart. That is Dean Arp. “Part of the rest of the story that that Rep. Harris didn't get a chance to mention, because we're a little time constrained, was that this was no ordinary thing. When Rep. Arp saw this trailer on fire, he had to actually go inside, and the lady was in a wheelchair, and I think he described her wheelchair as being as hot as a pan on a stove and got her out of there and clearly saved her life. “But the one thing that's very telling about Rep. Arp, he didn't give credit to himself. He gave credit to God, he said something told him to go back and had him on that particular route that day, at that time, to save that lady's life. “And so, on behalf of all of our colleagues in the House, I want to congratulate a fine North Carolinian, a fine American, a fine man of God, Rep. Dean Arp, congratulations.”
Union County Urban Forester Keith O’Herrin, pictured at left, explains the proper procedure in planting a tree, while his wife, Amber Joiner-Hill, (holding onto the tree) assists Nick Coffey and Kyle Haupt (both with Stallings’ Parks and Rec Maintenance Department) in the demonstration.
Union County strengthens land preservation efforts MONROE – Union County has launched the Land Preservation and Easement Program to conserve farmland and maintain the area’s agricultural heritage amidst population and development growth.
Alan Aldridge, director of the Soil and Water Conservation District, talked about the program Feb. 3 during the Union County commissioners meeting. “Union County ranks 13th in the nation for loss of open space,” Aldridge said. “This program gives us a tool to preserve our agricultural roots for future generations.” The Land Preservation and Easement Program allows landowners to voluntarily place a conservation easement on their property. The legal agreement permanently limits the use of the land to protect its agricultural and environmental value, while the landowner retains ownership. In return, landowners receive financial compensation for a portion of the land’s value and may benefit from tax incentives. “Good land like you have here - they don’t make it anymore,” Commissioner Gary Sides said. “Once it’s turned into a shopping center or residential neighborhood, it doesn’t go back to farmland.” Funding for the program comes from the Present-Use Value program’s rollback taxes, which are funds collected from properties transitioning out of agricultural use. Commissioners unanimously approved the use of these funds in November 2023, dedicating $969,000 to the initiative. “This speaks to the fabric of Union County,” Commissioner Brian Helms said. “Agriculture is so important to us, and maintaining these permanent easements to ensure these properties remain agriculturally based is immensely important, especially considering the residential growth we’ve seen in this area.”