Notice of Public Hearing - Prop. Conveyance of County-Owned Property to Willow Hill Soap- Econ Dev

HAYWOOD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

 PROPOSED CONVEYANCE OF COUNTY-OWNED REAL PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES

PURSUANT TO G.S. 158-7.1

TAKE NOTICE, that the Haywood County Board of Commissioners (“the County Commissioners”) will conduct a public hearing at its regular meeting at 5:30pm on Monday, July 20, 2026, in the Historic Courtroom of the Haywood County Historic Courthouse located at 215 North Main Street, Waynesville, N.C. 28786.

Description of Interest to be Conveyed:

 The County proposes to convey by deed a portion parcel of real property to Willow Hill Soap Company, described as follows:

Parcel : Approximately 7.2 acres located off Great Oak Drive, Haywood County, North Carolina, identified as Haywood County Tax Parcel No. 8668-03-4132.

Value of the Interest: 

The fair market value of the Property, subject to the covenants, conditions, and restrictions to be imposed, has been determined to be One Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($130,000).

 Proposed Consideration:

The Board of Commissioners proposes to convey the Property to Willow Hill Soap Company, for a monetary consideration of Zero Dollars ($0.00). Pursuant to G.S. 158-7.1(d2), the Board has determined that prospective tax revenues and other revenues expected to be received by the County over the next ten (10) years as a result of the Company's Project and operations equal One Hundred Seventy Thousand ($170,000), which the Board finds constitutes sufficient consideration for the conveyance. The Company's commitments under the Economic Development Agreement — including job creation, wage standards, and capital investment — constitute full consideration for the conveyance.

Purpose and Public Benefit:

The conveyance is proposed for economic development purposes. Willow Hill Soap Company, proposes to construct a new manufacturing facility on the Property, which will result in the creation of approximately eight (8) new full-time jobs with an average annual wage of $51,875, an increase to the Haywood County tax base of $170,000 (10) years, and increased employment, industrial output, and business prospects for the County.

Governing Body's Intention:

 The Haywood County Board of Commissioners intends to approve the conveyance of the Property to Willow Hill Soap Company, at the public meeting following this Public Hearing, subject to the findings and conditions required by G.S. 158-7.1.

 Economic Development Agreement:

 As a condition of the conveyance, Willow Hill Soap Company will be required to enter into an Economic Development Agreement with the County requiring: (a) construction of the Project within five (5) years; (b) creation of eight (8) new full-time jobs at an average annual wage of $51,875; and (c) of the Property to the County upon failure to complete construction, as required by G.S. 158-7.1(d2). The Agreement also includes recapture provisions for failure to meet job creation, wage, and capital investment commitments.

 s/ Amy L. Stevens

Amy L. Stevens, Clerk to the Board

Haywood County Board of Commissioners

 Published: Wednesday, July 8, 2026 in The Mountaineer