A move that could lead to Mount Airy getting extra help in recruiting new industry will be discussed by the city board of commissioners during a meeting this afternoon.

Municipal officials are exploring the seeking of “urban progress zone” status for Mount Airy, because of the fact its population now exceeds 10,000.

Mount Airy had been certified as a state development zone and an agrarian growth zone by the N.C. Department of Commerce for the past five years. Its agrarian growth zone certification expired on Dec. 31.

Since the city’s population exceeds 10,000, it must apply to the Department of Commerce for certification as an urban progress zone. Mount Airy exceeded the 10,000 milestone with the annexation of the Cross Creek community in June 2008.

In addition to having populations greater than 10,000, urban progress zones are defined as areas with more than 20 percent of residents below the federal poverty level.

Other conditions include a poverty level greater than that of North Carolina as a whole and a per capita income at least 10 percent below that of the state. A community also must have suffered major industrial layoffs in order to be classified as an urban progress zone.

If the board of commissioners approves an application for urban progress zone certification, Mount Airy will join 17 other cities in the state which are eligible for enhanced economic-development incentives.

Those incentives are available through the state’s Article 3J tax credits program. For example, companies who meet a minimum threshold of new full-time jobs created during a taxable year may claim a credit under the program. Under another provision, companies that invest at least $10 million in real property within a three-year period and create at least 200 new jobs within two years are allowed a credit equal to 30 percent of the eligible investment.

Mount Airy’s economic-development marketing also would be enhanced if it is approved as an urban progress zone since that includes the city’s listing on a special Web site by the Department of Commerce.

The certification also would benefit grant application scores of Mount Airy by serving to confirm the economic distress experienced by citizens.

The commissioners will discuss the urban progress zone certification when they hold a regular meeting/briefing session today at 2 p.m. in the downstairs conference room of the Municipal Building.

A public hearing could be conducted before city officials act on the zone application.

The area of Mount Airy that meets urban progress zone certification guidelines is bounded on the north by Pine Street, on the east by the Ararat River and on the west by Lovills Creek.

Located within the proposed zone are two new companies, Granite Tactical Vehicles and Catalina Tempering, in addition to Lyons Hosiery and the Renfro Corp. Barber Plant. The zone also includes Globe Tobacco Lofts, Microtel and Northern Hospital of Surry County.

Clearing Contract

Decision

Also this afternoon, Mount Airy officials are scheduled to consider the awarding of a contract to a local company to clear trees from locations where municipal sewer lines exist.

While much of Mount Airy’s roughly 110 miles of sewer lines are situated within street rights of way or in lawns kept up by property owners, some 25 percent of the system is in forested sections not regularly maintained.

Officials have set aside $20,000 for a clearing program in those sections and today will consider awarding a contract for it to a local company, Carter Utility Tree Service. It is the only nearby company specializing in that work, according to a memo to the commissioners from Barbara Jones, acting city manager.

The clearing of trees and undergrowth is required to prevent roots from infiltrating the joints of the lines and clogging them.

Nearly 6,000 feet of tree-clearing is proposed to be accomplished in locations including South Street at the railroad tracks, along Andy Griffith Parkway in the area of the Southern Emblem building, on Willow Street near Loftis HVAC, the Hunter Park area, along Linville Road and in the Dogwood Drive section.

Contact Tom Joyce at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or at 719-1924.