Jobs expected to come with distribution center, warehouse
By Becky Long
Publisher
It’s official. Amazon has purchased land in Clay County to build a warehouse and distribution center.
The county Commission Board and Amazon.com LLC closed the sale of 19.706 acres on McDonald Road on Monday, Feb. 10. Amazon paid $591,180 for the property which is in a designated industrial site.
County commissioners during their Feb. 6 meeting voted to move forward with the sale after entering closed session for attorney/client privilege. When they returned to open session the board voted to approve a Special Warranty Deed for the transfer of the property.
“We are excited to expand our presence into Clay County,” said Greg Rios, public relations specialist for Amazon in response to inquiries from the Progress. “Over the coming months, Amazon will work with local officials to finalize the plans for this project and look forward to sharing more information as it becomes available.”
As noted in a resolution dated Aug. 27, 2024, the Clay County Board of Commissioners gave Debbie Mauney, County Manager, the authority to negotiate, enter into and execute the sale of the land at the Clay County Industrial Park to JB2 Partners to build a warehouse and distribution center,” confirmed Commission Chairman Rob Peck. A public hearing regarding the sale was held Aug. 20, 2024.
The potential investment in building a large facility within the Industrial Park could drive tremendous revenue to the county and surrounding areas while also creating numerous jobs, according to the board.
“The potential purchasers proposal could result in up to 10 full-time jobs and a 100 or more part-time positions. An additional 100 or more jobs would be created by contracting out additional services with a third party,” Peck explained in an earlier interview.
The wages to be paid workers by the business is anticipated to meet and/or exceed the median average wage in the county as computed by the N.C. Department of Commerce, which is currently $20.50 per hour, according to initial resolution to move forward with the sale.
In addition to the property sale, commissioners approved March 10, 2025 as the date to advertise delinquent taxes in the newspaper.
They also approved extending the business personal property listing from Jan. 31, 2024 to Feb. 28, 2025.
Director Clarissa Rogers provided updates from Health & Human Services, county Health Department as follows:
•Received approval for CPT fee changes on costs associated with immunizations at the Clay County Health Department. Rogers said the fees are based on the cost from the manufacturer.
• Rogers said they have hired a Resident Environment Health Specialist, Jill Breedlove, who has been in environmental health for almost 20 years. “She has been a great addition to our team,” she said.
• The health department passed their recent Communicable Disease audit without any findings and their annual WIC audit.
• Rogers reminds the public the health department continues to administer flu vaccines. Noting that many may have noticed an increase in cases, she said Influenza A is the dominant strain circulating. “North Carolina is considered very high with activity level,” Rogers said.
Commissioners meet at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month in the multi-purpose room of the judicial center.