A food distribution company that has its roots in France and New Jersey is coming to Granville County, creating more than 20 jobs in a warehouse and distribution facility that will help the company expand its reach into the Southeast.
D’Artagnan, Inc., a specialty food company distributor, will create 23 new jobs and invest more than $4 million to locate a warehouse and distribution facility in Granville County, according to a press release from County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The operation will take up a portion of the former Burlington Mills facility on Lewis Street in Oxford.
“Our whole team is excited about developing our sales in this beautiful region!” said Ariane Daguin, CEO of D’Artagnan. “We have closely followed the food scene in the Carolinas and are very happy to be able to contribute to it,” Daguin added.
“We are extremely excited that D’Artagnan has selected Granville County to expand their company with this new distribution warehouse,” said Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills.
“We have created a hub for food distribution and processing in Granville County that is attracting the attention of companies around the world. D’Artagnan choosing Granville County shows how integral our location and workforce is in the global food supply chain. Mills thanked county commissioners, members of the economic development advisory board, the city of Oxford as well as local realtor Wills Hancock and the team at Century 21 Hancock Properties for their efforts in attracting D’Artagnan to the county.
Daguin founded D’Artagnan in 1985 and the French food pioneer has continued to lead her company which provides of high-quality meats, produce and delicacies to high-end hotels and restaurants in the United States.
The New Jersey-based company distributes natural, sustainable food raised on farms and ranches across the world to offer organic products. D’Artagnan has three business segments that cover food service, retail and e-commerce to market its food products in all 50 states.
The new Oxford facility will be the largest distribution site outside of New Jersey and will support D’Artagnan’s expansion into the Southeast market.
Granville County Economic Development partnered with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and a host of partners locally and statewide in supporting D’Artagnan’s decision to expand to North Carolina, bringing the new jobs with it. Although wages will vary for each position, the average annual salary for the new positions is $46,170, – which exceeds Granville County’s overall average annual wage of $45,096. The new jobs have the potential to create an annual payroll impact of more than $1 million.
A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with D’Artagnan’s location to North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital
investment targets to qualify for payment. D’Artagnan must invest at least $3,695,300 to receive One NC grant payments. The grants require a 50 percent local match, subject to approval by the Granville County Board of Commissioners that would total $25,000.
“This is another great economic development win for Granville County,” said State Sen. Mike Woodard who represents District 22, which includes the entirety of Granville County. “We welcome these new jobs and $4 million investment to our community and are ready to support the company’s future success.”
“More and more companies are finding the business climate in our region ideal for their strategic growth plans,” said N.C. Rep. Terry E. Garrison who represents District 32, which includes northern Granville County and Oxford. “We appreciate the diligent local and state officials and economic development partners that helped bring this project to Oxford.”
Other partners include the Kerr-Tar Council of Government, Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public School System, Vance-Granville Community College, NCWorks Career Center of Oxford, the N.C. Dept. of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, and the North Carolina General Assembly for their assistance in locating D’Artagnan in Granville County.
Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Earthworms
/by Bill HarrisListen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.
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Fourth Suspect Arrested In Durham Following May 28 Shootout
/by WIZS StaffThe fourth suspect was taken into custody Thursday in connection with an exchange of gunfire that occurred last weekend outside a West Andrews Avenue convenience store.
Detectives of the Henderson Police Department were in Durham Thursday when Durham police officers took Jaymon Gibson, 24, into custody, the last remaining adult suspect in the May 28 incident at Gate City Foods. One suspect, already in custody, is a juvenile.
Gibson faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, discharging a weapon into occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Police served a search warrant was served on the residence where he was taken into custody and recovered an AR-style pistol, according to Henderson Police Chief Marcus Barrow.
Gibson was remanded to the Vance County Detention Center without privilege of bond due to a parole violation and charges stemming from the May 28 shootout.
According to Barrow, Jordan Turnage, Charles Green and one juvenile all surrendered themselves to authorities earlier this week.
Turnage, 21, of Creedmoor, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a firearm into occupied property and discharging a firearm in the city limits. His secured bond was set at $65,000. Green, 23, also was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a firearm into occupied property and discharging a firearm in the city limits. His secured bond was set at $115,000, Barrow said.
A juvenile petition was filed against a 17-year-old in connection with the incident, who received a temporary secured custody order.
Anyone with information about the May 28 incident is asked to call 911, Henderson Vance Crime Stoppers at +1 (252) 492-1925, or contact us through the P3 app or Facebook Messenger.
WIZS Radio Local News Audio 06-03-22 Noon
/by Bill HarrisClick Play to Listen. On Air at 8am, 12pm, 5pm M-F
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Recount Upholds Alston’s Election To Commissioners’ District 3 Seat
/by WIZS StaffAfter a recount of votes in the Vance County Commissioners’ District 3 race Thursday morning, challenger Sean Alston’s election to the seat was confirmed. According to the Vance County Board of Elections Director Melody Vaughan, Alston received 269 votes to incumbent Gordon Wilder’s 260 votes.
The recount took place at 9 a.m. today.
The original vote count from the May 17 primary showed Alston with 270 votes, but Vaughan told WIZS News Thursday the count was adjusted after it was discovered that one vote was removed from the count.
An individual came to vote during the early voting period on May 12 and completed a same-day registration.
“On May 13, 2022 the state board removed the voter and I sent him a certified letter telling him we had him as a felon and if he had completed his time to bring in the proper papers so his vote would count,” Vaughan said in an email update. The individual did not return, however, and the state board of elections officials instructed the Vance County elections officials to remove the vote, which resulted in the change in the final count.
Specialty Food Distribution Hub To Create 23 Jobs In Granville County
/by WIZS StaffA food distribution company that has its roots in France and New Jersey is coming to Granville County, creating more than 20 jobs in a warehouse and distribution facility that will help the company expand its reach into the Southeast.
D’Artagnan, Inc., a specialty food company distributor, will create 23 new jobs and invest more than $4 million to locate a warehouse and distribution facility in Granville County, according to a press release from County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood. The operation will take up a portion of the former Burlington Mills facility on Lewis Street in Oxford.
“Our whole team is excited about developing our sales in this beautiful region!” said Ariane Daguin, CEO of D’Artagnan. “We have closely followed the food scene in the Carolinas and are very happy to be able to contribute to it,” Daguin added.
“We are extremely excited that D’Artagnan has selected Granville County to expand their company with this new distribution warehouse,” said Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills.
“We have created a hub for food distribution and processing in Granville County that is attracting the attention of companies around the world. D’Artagnan choosing Granville County shows how integral our location and workforce is in the global food supply chain. Mills thanked county commissioners, members of the economic development advisory board, the city of Oxford as well as local realtor Wills Hancock and the team at Century 21 Hancock Properties for their efforts in attracting D’Artagnan to the county.
Daguin founded D’Artagnan in 1985 and the French food pioneer has continued to lead her company which provides of high-quality meats, produce and delicacies to high-end hotels and restaurants in the United States.
The New Jersey-based company distributes natural, sustainable food raised on farms and ranches across the world to offer organic products. D’Artagnan has three business segments that cover food service, retail and e-commerce to market its food products in all 50 states.
The new Oxford facility will be the largest distribution site outside of New Jersey and will support D’Artagnan’s expansion into the Southeast market.
Granville County Economic Development partnered with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and a host of partners locally and statewide in supporting D’Artagnan’s decision to expand to North Carolina, bringing the new jobs with it. Although wages will vary for each position, the average annual salary for the new positions is $46,170, – which exceeds Granville County’s overall average annual wage of $45,096. The new jobs have the potential to create an annual payroll impact of more than $1 million.
A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help with D’Artagnan’s location to North Carolina. The One NC Fund provides financial assistance to local governments to help attract economic investment and to create jobs. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital
investment targets to qualify for payment. D’Artagnan must invest at least $3,695,300 to receive One NC grant payments. The grants require a 50 percent local match, subject to approval by the Granville County Board of Commissioners that would total $25,000.
“This is another great economic development win for Granville County,” said State Sen. Mike Woodard who represents District 22, which includes the entirety of Granville County. “We welcome these new jobs and $4 million investment to our community and are ready to support the company’s future success.”
“More and more companies are finding the business climate in our region ideal for their strategic growth plans,” said N.C. Rep. Terry E. Garrison who represents District 32, which includes northern Granville County and Oxford. “We appreciate the diligent local and state officials and economic development partners that helped bring this project to Oxford.”
Other partners include the Kerr-Tar Council of Government, Granville County Chamber of Commerce, Granville County Public School System, Vance-Granville Community College, NCWorks Career Center of Oxford, the N.C. Dept. of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, and the North Carolina General Assembly for their assistance in locating D’Artagnan in Granville County.
Noel Named AD For VCHS, Trades Panthers For Vipers
/by WIZS StaffVance County Schools has named Raymond Noel, a lifelong resident of the area, as the new athletic director for Vance County High School. Noel is a 2002 graduate of J.F. Webb High School in Oxford, where he played football and ran track and field.
He continued his education at Averett University, where he played football and
served as a student assistant for the school’s basketball program.
In 2007, Noel graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and a minor in coaching.
Noel’s career immediately took off following graduation as he became the assistant football and basketball coach at Granville Central High School. He also served as the Driver’s Education
Instructor.
In 2015, he took on the head coaching position for the women’s basketball team and, in 2017, became the athletic director, during which time he led athletic teams to multiple-season victories through innovative training strategies. Noel earned his Certified Athletic Administrators Certificate through the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association.
VCHS Principal Rey Horner said he welcomes Noel to the school and the district. “We are excited that Mr. Noel will be joining our district. We know his experience and dedication to athletics will continue to help our Viper programs flourish.”
Noel and his wife, Michelle, live in Granville County with their son, Blake.
Noel will start work in VCS on July 1, 2022.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to lead athletics at Vance County High School,” Noel said in a written statement.
“Thanks to Mr. Horner and the administration for this opportunity. GO VIPERS!”
SportsTalk: Richardson Says Spring Sports A Success
/by Bill HarrisIf you see Crossroads Christian School Athletic Director/Head Basketball Coach Scottie Richardson with a smile on his face, that’s because he is happy with how spring sports have gone at the school. The Colt’s Girls Soccer team made a deep run in the playoffs and the golf team won the conference championship finishing third in the state. On top of that, five seniors who played on Crossroads Christian’s athletic teams will be moving on to play at the college level.
Under Richardson, the Colt’s athletic program has grown to 22 teams in nine sports and that includes 12 All State players in five sports. No wonder Richardson is happy.
Next school year when Richardson puts on his basketball cap, it will mark his 28th year as a basketball coach. Last season, Crossroads had it’s first final four post season run, and with changes in the conference, Richardson feels that the school has a real shot at a state championship, so much so that it is Richardson’s goal for the team to bring that championship home to Vance County.
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Forestry Field Day June 24 In Oxford
/by WIZS Staff-information courtesy of Vance County Cooperative Extension
A Forestry Field Day is scheduled for Friday, June 24 to help area landowners with best practice strategies to enhance their woodland resources. Participants will learn first-hand about the possible benefits of forest management techniques of herbicide application and prescribed fires.
This free event will begin at 2 p.m. at the N.C. Forest Service office in Granville County, located at 911 Hillsboro St, Oxford.
From there, the group will proceed to two different field sites that show the results of the respective practices. Transportation to the field sites will be available, or participants may travel in personal vehicles.
The sponsors of the Field Day are the N.C. Forest Service office for Granville County, along with the N.C. Cooperative Extension County Centers in Granville and Vance counties.
Registration is required.
For more information, visit http://go.ncsu.edu/manageyourwoods or call 252.438.8188 or 919.603.1350.
The Local Skinny: KARTS Makes Getting From Here To There Easy
/by Laura GabelPeople use KARTS for a variety of reasons – to get to work or doctor’s appointments, to go food shopping, keep dialysis appointments and even get to the local community college campus. Whatever the reason, KARTS buses crisscross the four-county area to provide transportation to people who need it.
And that’s something that make KARTS Executive Director Irene Johnson happy.
Each day, schedulers make appointments for residents and the Kerr Area Regional Transportation Authority buses are dispatched throughout the counties they serve.
“We are here to serve the community,” Johnson told John C. Rose on Thursday’s The Local Skinny! “We do so much transportation now,” she said. She said a daily tally could be in the hundreds of routes.
The buses run hundreds of routes each week and even operate on Saturdays to transport people to their jobs or to their dialysis appointments. Drivers are on the road as early as 2:30 in the morning to make sure folks make their 4:30 a.m. appointments at area dialysis centers.
But Johnson has a suggestion for anyone thinking about calling for a ride from KARTS: Call as soon as possible. “As soon as you know you have a trip planned, we need you to call as early as possible,” she said.
And while it’s not mass transit like city buses or subway trains, KARTS buses are considered public transportation, Johnson noted. And for that reason, the use of masks is recommended. And even though the COVID-19 restrictions have eased, she assures riders that the buses are thoroughly cleaned to help keep everyone as safe as possible. There also are cameras with live feeds mounted inside and outside the buses for an additional layer of safety
The last couple of years have been hard on everyone, but especially hard on those without a means of transportation. Johnson said she has enjoyed seeing those folks who found themselves confined at home being able to get out and enjoy life without having to worry about transportation.
The main dispatch center is in Henderson on Ross Mill Road, but each county has its own fleet of buses that remain in those counties, she explained.
And KARTS is not immune to the labor shortage that everyone is talking about. If you’re looking for a job, KARTS is always looking for drivers. Retirees who may just want a part-time job could be prime candidates, she said, inviting others to join the hard-working staff of drivers.
“They are dedicated and want to make sure people get (to their destinations) safely,” Johnson said.
Contact KARTS at 252.438.2573 to learn more.
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Granville Revaluation Process Underway
/by WIZS StaffWorkers with the county’s contracted vendor for conducting the mandated tax revaluation process have started their field work and residents can expect to see clearly marked vehicles and employees identifying themselves for this specific purpose.
The updated property tax values go into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, and employees with Pearson’s Appraisal Service have begun verifying and updating tax listings to ensure fair and equitable tax values are applied to commercial and residential properties throughout the county, according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.
Employees will have photo identification badges as well as vehicles marked “GRANVILLE REVALUATION.” The appraisal process involves photography of each property and verification of information in the existing Granville County tax listing. Property owners interested in providing additional information or requesting an interior inspection for a property can do so by calling Pearson’s Appraisal Services at 888.573.2776.
Revaluation is the process of reappraising all properties within the county for tax assessment purposes. The purpose of revaluation is to re-establish equity among properties that may have changed in value at different rates since the county’s last revaluation, which was completed in 2018.
Each county in the state must conduct a reappraisal of all real property – land, buildings, and other improvements to land – at least once every eight years as mandated by North Carolina General Statutes. Granville County conducts revaluations on a six-year cycle.
For more information regarding property tax values or the revaluation and assessment process, please contact the Granville County Tax Administration Office at 919.693.4181 or visit the Granville County website: https://www.granvillecounty.org/government/tax-department/.