The proposed FY 2017-2018 Bladen County budget for all economic development activities has been submitted to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration. The County of Bladen budget for economic development activities include:
Bladen County Economic Development Commission
Salaries, retirement, and healthcare costs for two full time staff members and one part time member are $198,336, a portion of which is reimbursed by Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial Inc. Operating costs (advertising, telephone, utilities, memberships and dues, client entertainment, postage, copier costs, supplies, travel) are $22,095. Bladen County will carry over to the 2016-2017 budget $144,000 that was allocated for product development in the FY16 budget. The funds will also be allocated and held for product development (acquisition of industrial land, construction of utilities, or construction of speculative industrial facilities).
Elizabethtown-White Lake Are Chamber of Commerce
Allocation to support Chamber’s operating costs, marketing and events is $3,500.
Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc. (BBAI)
Rents received from the state of North Carolina of $429,832 for the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicle Call Center and the Elizabethtown JobLink center to cover rents, utilities, maintenance, cleaning, cleaning supplies, trash removal, landscaping, and yard and lot maintenance are passed on in the same amount to BBAI. The County of Bladen pays $30,000 for their allocation of space for Bladen County employees and services in the JobLink center.
North Carolina’s Southeast Partnership (NCSE)
Bladen County allocates $20,000 to NCSE to support the public, private 16 member county partnership which provides marketing, advertising and technical support services for the recruitment of business and industry to Southeastern North Carolina.
Southeastern Economic Development Commission (SEDC)
Bladen County allocates $3,167 to SEDC to provide grant writing and administrative services for US Economic Development Administration grants. Membership in this organization is required to be eligible for EDA grants.
The Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. to receive comments regarding the proposed allocations.
Charles R. Peterson, Chairman
Bladen County Board of Commissioners
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