Tag Archive for: #granvillecountynews

School Board Approves One-Time Bonus Payments For GCPS Employees

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The Granville Board of Education approved one-time bonuses totalling more than $1 million for almost 900 permanent, full- and part-time employees of Granville County Public Schools, as well as additional bonuses for bus drivers.

The board decided on the retention bonuses at a work session held Monday. The bonus pay – projected to cost $1.1 million – comes from federal COVID relief funds. Permanent, full-time employees will get a one-time bonus payment of $1,000, and permanent part-time employees will get a one-time bonus of $600.

In addition, bus drivers will get an additional $250 for driving a morning, afternoon or regular double route, according to information from the school district.

Bonuses will be paid on Jan. 14, 2022. To be eligible for the extra payment, workers must be employed with the school district as of Nov. 1, 2021 and must continue to work through the end of the school year.
All eligible employees must complete an opt-in form agreeing to the terms of the bonus.  The superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent and executive directors will not receive the bonus payment.

“We are so incredibly grateful for our dedicated employees,” said Superintendent Dr. Alisa McLean. “We know how difficult things have been for our educators recently, and we wanted to find a way to reward those who continue to be loyal to GCPS.  While they deserve far more, we are pleased that we can direct a portion of the federal COVID funds allocated to our district for this important effort. We hope this modest bonus will be received along with our sincere gratitude and appreciation for our excellent employees.”

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Oxford Lands Fla.-Based Frozen Foods Facility, Adding 24 Jobs

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A Florida-based frozen food company has chosen Oxford as the site for a production facility that is expected to bring 24 jobs to the area. Gov. Roy Cooper’s office made the announcement Monday and said the company will invest $5.7 million to relocate a production facility.

Meel Corp, a frozen food company based in Miami, will create 24 new jobs in Granville County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $5.7 million to relocate a production facility in neighboring Granville County.

Meel Corp supplies healthy frozen foods through its own brand and private labels. For more than 40 years, the family-owned business has sourced, developed, processed and packed organic and conventional fruits, vegetables, and frozen convenience products. Meel’s expansion to North Carolina will include a state-of-the-art packing and cold-storage facility and will continue to source some products from North Carolina.

“We are glad to welcome Meel Corp to North Carolina,” Cooper said in a press release. “Our state has the best business climate, the hardest working employees, the agricultural legacy, the central east coast location and the great quality of life that will make this company successful here.”

“We’re beyond excited about our move to North Carolina.  With the supply chain plagues and labor issues that surfaced after COVID, North Carolina represents an ideal geographical location for us – bringing us closer to our national customers and their delivery points,” said Michael Iaslovits, President of Meel Corp. “Our company name – MEEL is an assembly of the first letters of our family members – we’re happy to bring our family business to North Carolina, where we will hire new employees and expand our family!”

Although wages will vary by position, the average annual salary for all new positions is $48,500 and will create a potential payroll impact of nearly $1.2 million per year. Granville County’s average annual salary is $42,326.

“North Carolina is a national leader in food and beverage processing,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Meel’s decision proves that North Carolina has a winning recipe for success – a strong supply chain, transportation infrastructure, and a diverse pipeline of talent, that we’re committed to further developing.”

A performance-based grant of $50,000 from the One North Carolina Fund will help facilitate Meel’s relocation 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.  All One NC grants require matching participation from local governments and any award is contingent upon that condition being met.

“This is a great economic development win for our community and the entire state,” said N.C. Representative Larry Yarborough. “We appreciate Meel and every partner on the local and state level that helped recruit the company to our region.”

“Granville County continues to attract successful food processing companies,” said N.C. Senator Mike Woodard. “The people of Granville County welcome these new jobs and are eager to support the company’s continued growth here in North Carolina for many years to come.”

Joining the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were key partners in the project that included the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Vance-Granville Community College, Kerr-Tar Council of Governments, Granville County, Granville County Economic Development, Granville County Chamber, Granville County Public Schools, the City of Oxford, and the NCWorks Career Center Oxford.

NC Coop Extension

Tobacco Growers Vote Nov. 18 On Whether To Continue Check-off Program To Fund Research

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Update 11-19-21

Paul McKenzie, agriculture agent for Vance and Warren counties, said the results will be available the week of Nov.22.

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Area tobacco growers join others across the state this week to vote whether to continue a self-assessment of 10 cents per 100 pounds of flue-cured and burley tobacco sold to support tobacco research and education.

The vote will take place on Nov. 18, and Paul McKenzie, agriculture agent for Vance and Warren counties, said a two-thirds vote in the affirmative will mean that the check-off program will be good until 2027.

The check-off program started in 1991 and allocates more than $200,000 annually to tobacco-related research and extension projects at N.C. State University. State law requires a referendum be held every six years.

“This referendum is important to the future of tobacco production in North Carolina,” said Sonia Murphy, president of the N.C. Agricultural Foundation and state check-off coordinator. “Federal funding for tobacco research ceased in 1994, and state support has declined in recent years due to state budget reductions.

“I encourage tobacco growers to vote on this important check-off,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “A two-thirds majority of votes is needed to pass the assessment, so be sure to cast your vote.”

Funds from the check-off are allocated by the N.C. Tobacco Research Commission, whose membership includes the Commissioner of Agriculture, the N.C. Farm Bureau Federation president, the N.C. State Grange president, the Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina president and the chairman of the N.C. Tobacco Foundation.

Ballots will be available for tobacco growers at county extension offices on Nov. 18.  Contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension office for specific information regarding polling locations and times.

Vance County Extension – 252.438.8188.

Granville County Extension – 919.603.1350

Warren County Extension – 252.257.3640

Franklin County Extension – 919.496.3344

Granville County Chamber of Commerce

John Penn Citizen Of The Year Nominations Open; Due To Chamber By Jan. 4, 2022

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The Granville County Chamber of Commerce has opened nominations for the annual John Penn Citizen of the Year award, given to a local citizen for outstanding service to the community.

John Penn was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and he lived in Granville County and was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775.

Chamber members are invited to nominate individuals who have contributed to the local community. According to the nomination form, the nominee’s employment may be related to the individual’s accomplishments, but they should be separate and apart from their work duties.

Nominations are due to the Chamber office no later than Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. A committee will review all applications and the winner will be announced at the annual Chamber banquet.

The nomination should contain evidence of the nominee’s positive impact on the community and should contain the areas that the nominee is active – town, county, church, civic group, schools, recreation – as well as any specific action and involvement that is directly related to the nomination.

Download the application at https://granville-chamber.com/member-services/john-penn-citizen-year/ or contact the Chamber at 919.693.6125.

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Joint Commissioners, School Board Meeting Cancelled; Commissioners Still On For Nov. 15 at 7 P.M.

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The joint meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Granville Board of Education, scheduled for Monday, Nov. 15, 2021 at 2 p.m., has been cancelled, according to information received from Debra Weary, clerk to the board of commissioners.

The commissioners will meet on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. for the regular scheduled meeting.

 The commissioners meet at the Granville Expo & Convention Center, 4185 Highway 15, Oxford.

The district boundary map will be on the agenda for consideration at the Nov. 15 meeting.

Contact Weary at debra.weary@granvillecounty.org or 919.603.1607 for more information.

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Recycle/Disposal Event Set For Nov. 20 At Granville Expo Center

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The Granville County Environmental Services department is sponsoring a fall clean out event on Nov. 20 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can bring recyclable items and hazardous household items for disposal. 

The event will be held at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, located at 4185 Hwy. 15 South, Oxford.

Teresa Baker is the county’s recycling and sustainability coordinator. Items that will be collected for recycling or safe disposal include:

  • paint and paint-related materials – limit 15 paint cans per household
  • household cleaners
  • old gasoline
  • drain cleaners
  • fluorescent light tubes
  • scrap metal
  • electronics
  • batteries
  • pesticides/fungicides/herbicides
  • outdated medications, inhalers, sharps, diabetic supplies
  • ammunition
  • propane tanks
  • flares and fireworks

 

“Last year’s event was a successful one, resulting in the collection of more than 26 tons of materials for recycling and proper disposal,” Baker said. “We are looking forward to another productive collection day and invite all Granville County residents to participate.”

Baker said an on-site document shredding service also will be on site during the event and there will be a collection station for donations of pet supplies such as dog/cat food, leashes, collars, crates, pet beds, kitty litter and towels.

Assistance will be provided at each designated station for convenient unloading. For more details, please contact Baker at 919-725-1417 or at bakertd@gcs.k12.nc.us.

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Granville School Board, Commissioners To Meet Monday, Nov. 8 To Discuss Draft Voting District Maps

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The Granville County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners will hold a special joint session next week to discuss – as required by law – the revision of voting districts.

The meeting is set for Monday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center, 4815 US-15, Oxford, NC 27565.

The meeting, which will include an opportunity for public input, will be recorded and the video will be made available on the GCPS website, according to Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and student services and public information officer.

Visit https://www.granvillecounty.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Granville-County-Plan-5.pdf to view a draft of the district revisions. Maps are available for in-person viewing at the Richard H. Thornton Library, 210 Main Street, Oxford, the South Branch Library, 1550 South Campus Dr., Creedmoor and at the Granville County administration building, 141 Williamsboro St., Oxford.

Persons who wish to speak at the meeting must sign up prior to the start of the meeting in the Expo Center lobby.  Each speaker may address the boards for up to three minutes. Comments on topics other than revision of county voting districts will not be permitted at this meeting.

South Granville HS Campus Converts To Middle School In 2022-23; SGHS, Granville Central Merging

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The Granville County Board of Education made some moves toward school reorganization and consolidation by voting Monday to move the campus of G.C. Hawley Middle School to the current South Granville High School campus. The move will be effective for the 2022-23 school year. The board chose not to close any other schools, according to information from Dr. Stan Winborne, associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and student services and public information officer.

The decision effectively merges the two southern-end high schools at the current Granville Central High School location in Stem. In a written statement to WIZS Tuesday, Winborne said the southern-end high school would have its own identity, which implies that it will be called neither South Granville High nor Granville Central.

The decision to move Hawley was not unanimous; the board voted 5-2, with Dr. Tom Houlihan and Leonard Peace, both former school board chairmen, voting against the motion. The motion to shift the middle school students to the campus of South Granville and the high school students to Granville Central’s campus was made by Chairman David Richardson and seconded by Dr. Gregory McKnight.

The school board has been considering different options for reorganization and consolidation for the past couple of years; some of the options included closing Wilton and Creedmoor elementary schools and converting Tar River Elementary to a middle school so the Hawley students could be relocated there.

County commissioners recently nixed the renovation of Hawley Middle School when the estimated costs were shown to be upwards of $25 million.

In the past several years, enrollment in Granville County Public Schools has trended downward, due in part to families choosing to send children to charter schools. The district has faced schools with more empty classrooms and teachers taking jobs in larger districts nearby in search of higher pay and supplements.

There have been opportunities for the public to comment on the various options that the school board was considering; at a public hearing on Oct. 18, parents and staff of Tar River Elementary spoke strongly against making the K-5 school a middle school.

In addition to the votes mentioned above, Winborne outlined the different motions that passed and failed during Monday’s board meeting:

  • A motion to leave open Wilton and Creedmoor schools passed unanimously.
  • The motion to close Creedmoor Elementary and keep Wilton open failed 3-4. Glenda Williams, Amanda LaBrecque and Houlihan voted yes and Anderson, McKnight, Richardson and Peace voted no.
  • The vote to make Tar River a middle school also failed. Williams, Peace and Houlihan voted yes and Ethel Anderson, McKnight, Richardson and LaBrecque voted no.
  • The motion to take Tar River off the closure list passed 5-2; Williams and Peace voted against the motion.
  • The motion to take Wilton off the closure list failed 3-4; Anderson, McKnight, Richardson and Peace voted no.

Granville Economic Development Director Appointed To Regional Foreign Trade Zone #93 Board

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Granville County Economic Development Director Harry Mills has been appointed to the Rates, Tariff, and Legal Review Board for the Research Triangle Area Foreign Trade Zone #93. Mills will serve a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2022, along with eleven others representing Granville, Chatham, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Person, Sampson, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wilson counties, according to a statement from Granville County’s public information officer Terry Hobgood.

The Foreign Trade Zone #93 Board’s job is to review and recommend applications for zone status; adopting a zone schedule including rates, rules and regulations; and ensuring the Grantee operates the zone as a public utility.

Triangle J Council of Governments is the grantee of the Research Triangle Area’s full-service, multi-site Foreign Trade Zone #93, which allows companies importing and exporting products to reduce or delay custom duties or taxes on products received within the zone. All zone activities must result in public benefit and a net positive economic effect. Triangle J Council of Governments views the Foreign Trade Zone as a benefit to member organizations through its ability to stimulate international trade in the region, create jobs engaged in international trade, and encourage job creation in the larger market.

Granville County is the home of two companies conducting operations as approved sites in Foreign Trade Zone #93: one is Revlon Consumer Products in Oxford, and the second is AW North Carolina in Butner.

To learn more, visit https://www.tjcog.org/focus-areas-community-economic-development/foreign-trade-zone .

 

 

Granville County Tourism

TownTalk: Granville Tourism Heats Up With Fall Events

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Anyone who lives in or near Granville County has plenty of opportunities to celebrate Halloween this year, and Tourism Director Angela Allen couldn’t be happier to run down the list of activities – from trick-or-treat events to art galleries and costume contests, folks can stay busy all weekend long.

“What a difference a year makes,” Allen said. Last year at this time, COVID-19 restrictions had things running at a bare minimum or non-existent, she recalled during Wednesday’s Town Talk with John C. Rose and Bill Harris.

And although the weather seems to be cooling off, “things are really heating up in Granville County, as far as events go,” she said. Everybody seems ready to celebrate a holiday again, and Granville is offering numerous and varied activities for the whole family.

For starters, tonight (Thursday) is pizza night at Thorndale Oaks. There’s a whole buffet, she said. Call 919.603.3701 for more information. There are pasta and dessert stations, and lots of yummy pizza options cooked in a wood-fired pizza oven. The price is $18.95 per adult; and $9.95 per child.

Here’s a list of some of the events taking place:

  • Friday, Oct 29 – Spooktacular Candy Stroll in downtown Oxford from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Creedmoor – come in costumes and collect candy from area merchants.
  • Saturday, Oct. 30 – The Orpheum in downtown Oxford will host a Halloween costume dance and contest. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the event will be geared to families; from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., it’s adults only. Judges will select winners of the costume contest for cash prizes, Allen said. Tickets are $5 per person and $15 per family.
  • Friday-Sunday – Oct. 29-31 – Granville Haunt Farm on Hwy. 15 South opens at sunset. This drive-through event recreates scenes from some of the great scary movies and horror films. It’s set up like a giant drive-in movie, Allen said to think of the haunt farm as appropriate for anyone who would watch a PG-13 film. Check Granville Haunt Farm’s Facebook page and Instagram for details about ticket prices and times and “to get an idea of what you’ll feel and experience,” she added. taste of what awaits.
  • Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30-31 – last chance to pick a pumpkin at William Lyon’s farm outside Creedmoor. The pumpkin patch is open each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s also a corn maze and hay rides to participate in, making it a really good daytime outing for families.
  • Saturday, Oct. 30 – the local farmers’ market is open from 7 a.m. to noon near downtown Oxford and has seasonal produce and other handicrafts for sale.
  • Daily through Nov. 7 – Cedar Creek Gallery near Creedmoor has its own pumpkin patch, but this patch is full of the glass variety by local and regional artists.

 

Following on the heels of Halloween is Veterans’ Day and Allen said the Oxford Veterans’ Parad is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. This is a time to celebrate and honor area veterans, and to thank them for their service, Allen said.

Any veteran who wishes to participate in the parade can contact Rebekah Olivares, city event coordinator at 603.1101.

The Town of Butner also will honor veterans at Soldiers Memorial Sports Arena at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11.

For a complete listing of other events in November across Granville County, search visitgranvillenc.com, find visitgranvillecounty on Facebook or Instagram.

(Granville Tourism is an advertising client of WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)

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