Notice of Public Hearing   Cleveland County proposes to appropriate and expend County funds for the following economic development project pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 158-7.1. The County Board of Commissioners intends to consider entering into an economic development incentives contract with Project Champion, a manufacturing company, to start operations in the County to support an expansion. Under the contract, the County will reimburse the Company a total sum not to exceed 25% of ad valorem tax revenues generated by expenditures the Company, an affiliate, or a lessor to the Company or an affiliate makes for real and personal property the Company or an affiliate purchases or leases and installs at, or relocates to, the Company’s facility in the County which is subject to tax in the County over a period not to exceed three years. The estimated taxable value of the real property improvements and personal property to be placed in service in connection with the Project is estimated to be approximately $28,000,000. The County estimates that after completion of the renovation and upfit, the total cash grant will be up to $68,850. The actual grant amount may vary due to actual tax revenues generated during the three-year period. The County will fund the payments with available revenues in the County’s General Fund. The Board of Commissioners believes this Project will stimulate and stabilize the local economy and result in the creation of a substantial number of new, permanent jobs in the county. The Company projects that it will create 101 new jobs at an average salary of $51,381 during the term of the grant.   The public hearing will be held in the County Administration Building at 311 E. Marion Street, Shelby North Carolina on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioner’s Chamber. At this time the general public will have the opportunity to make comments regarding PROJECT Champion. Phyllis Nowlen, CMC, NCMCC Clerk to the Board Cleveland County 12274095 4/24 5/1/26