DOBSON — A public hearing on an Elkin-based economic development project highlights the agenda when the Surry County Board of Commissioners meets Tuesday night.

The meeting, normally scheduled for Monday night but postponed for the Martin Luther King holiday, is set to get under way at 6 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Meeting Room of the Surry County Government Center in Dobson.

The project, known as “Project Liberty,” is a downtown redevelopment project utilizing the old Liberty Theater on East Main Street, according to board Chair Eddie Harris.

Harris said there will be jobs created, “not a significant amount,” but “this project encompasses Elkin’s economic development strategy that incorporates investment in the downtown area for revitalization.

“It’s a fairly significant investment in the county, of about $1.6 million, with some expectation that it could exceed that number in the future,” he said. “We feel like an investment that significant, that mirrors Elkin’s economic development strategy, is quite important in the scope of helping the town’s revitalization efforts.”

According to Harris, the as-yet-unnamed developer of the project will be constructing a banquet hall, retail and office space and restaurant in the former theater.

The county’s investment, if approved following Tuesday’s public hearing, is to be spread over five years. The total investment is expected to be $37,000, a match of the investment planned by Elkin.

“It’s all based on the developer’s investment,” Harris said.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Kim Bates, the county’s planning director, is expected to update the board on a proposal to close a portion of Butner Road in the Pinnacle community.

The portion of the road being considered for closure is surrounded by land owned by River Oak Farm, LLC.

The road runs from Shoals Road and ends near the Yadkin River, where it dead ends.

Michael Hartgrove, the county’s tax administrator, is expected to update the board on county tax collections during the meeting.

Maggie Simmons, health educator with the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center, is expected to present the State of the County Health Report for 2012.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@civitasmedia.com or 719-1929.