May 12--ASHEBORO -- An economic incentive package could lead to a $900,000 investment and 20 new jobs in Archdale.

The Randolph County Board of Commissioners came out of closed session and voted to pay half the cost to extend natural gas lines to a furniture plant at 701 Eden Terrace, Archdale. The City of Archdale was expected to chip in the other half in order for Stickley Fine Upholstery, 166 Petty St., Archdale, to add a second manufacturing plant.

The commissioners approved the appropriation of $5,625 from the economic development reserve fund as the county's share of the incentive package. Bonnie Renfro, president of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, had brought the plan to the commissioners in a closed session that followed the board's regular monthly meeting.

Renfro said Stickley had recently acquired a high-end line of upholstered furniture called Nichols & Stone. The new plant is expected to produce that line while the Stickley line will continue to be manufactured at the current facility.

The expansion project includes the purchase and retrofit of the Eden Terrace property, which is currently leased. New equipment will also be added for the total investment by Stickley of nearly $900,000.

The 20 new jobs are expected to average $14 to $15 per hour with hiring to begin in 2010 and continue over a two-year period. The company now employs 190 workers with an annual payroll of $7,250,000.

The incentive package requires the company to remain in Archdale for two years following the payment. It's estimated that the investment will add $426,300 to the tax base, with annual tax revenues to Randolph County of $2,366 and $1,236 to Archdale. Jobs should add $582,400 in annual income. The total incentive package of $11,250 will reimburse Stickley for the cost of expanding 1,700 feet of natural gas lines to the Eden Terrace property. The company is investing $786,000 for real estate and $102,800 in equipment.

In other business, the board:

--Voted to go forward with the bid process to run water lines along U.S. 64 east of Asheboro to near the Blue Mist Restaurant.

Public Works Director David Townsend told the board that the county has secured a Rural Center grant for $500,000 to help pay for the project, which will install a 12-inch water line from the intersection of U.S. 64 and Salisbury Street to the Blue Mist area. He said 22 customers are in need of water and that there are approximately 50 other potential customers.

Townsend said consultants feel this is a good time to bid out the project and expect to get very good price units.