DOBSON — If everything goes as planned, county economic development officials say they hope to have some good news for the unemployed in the next month or so.

The Surry County Board of Commissioners has set a public hearing on an incentive package for a proposed economic development project they say could result in 20 jobs for the county.

The county board will hold a public hearing during its next meeting, set for March 18, at 6 p.m., in the Elkin High School Media Center.

The county’s hearing on the as-yet-unnamed business announcement known as Project Shield follows a move by the Mount Airy Board of Commissioners, who are expected to vote on whether to schedule a public hearing on a proposed $33,000 incentive package for the potential industry.

The Mount Airy vote is scheduled for 2 p.m. today.

According to economic development officials, the company has plans to invest about $1.5 million in Mount Airy to purchase equipment and upgrade an existing building, and create about 20 jobs over a two-year period.

“It’s a local company, a metal working industry,” said Surry County Economic Development Partnership President Todd Tucker. “We’re in negotiations to expand their facility with another plant they operate outside of North Carolina.”

Chairman Eddie Harris of the county’s Board of Commissioners said the county will consider a cash grant of about $28,000 from the North Carolina Rural Center, with a local match of up to $5,000 based on the $1.5 million investment and potential job creation.

If approved following the public hearing, the county’s investment will run over a five-year period.

Tucker said the potential jobs will offer above-average wages.

“These are good, skilled jobs,” he said. “We’re hoping that if everything goes as planned to be able to offer some training for people so they will be ready to go to work for this company.”

Officials say that if the incentive package is approved by the county and city, they hope for an announcement in the “next month or so.”

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