BOCC to hold hearing, consider local incentives for ABB expansion on July 23

The Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting and public hearing on Tuesday, July 23, to receive public comment on a proposed performance-based financial incentives agreement for ABB, Inc. located in Mebane and for the Board to make a decision on the agreement.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held in the Whitted Building (300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough).

Last week, the N.C. Department of Commerce announced that ABB, Inc. manufacturing facility would make a major expansion to the facility, contingent upon local incentive approvals.

The Swiss-Swedish multinational company has selected their existing Orange County location to consolidate a significant portion of ABB’s Distribution Services portfolio of products into one U. S. hub. ABB acquired the former GE Industrial Solutions’ 400,000 sq. ft. facility in June 2018 to strengthen its position in electrification globally and expand their access to the North American market.

This operation currently employs more than 500 individuals who assemble highly sophisticated electrical components. Over the next five years, the company will invest up to $39.9 million to build a new, state-of-the-art 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility and create 403 new jobs that will provide health and retirement benefits.

These new positions will offer highly competitive salaries that are expected to average $70,789.00 a year.

“We are excited to see ABB continue to grow and invest in their operations here in Orange County,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Penny Rich. “As one of our largest manufacturing operations, we look forward to the excellent new employment opportunities this corporate expansion will bring to the residents of our community.”

Orange County to host series on Dementia Basics

The Department on Aging invites family caregivers and persons with dementia to attend What Can We Expect: Dementia Basics, a four-part series focusing on brain health, types and stages of dementia, communication, and preparation for the journey ahead.

The series will be held on Mondays in August ( Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26) from 1-3 p.m. at the Orange County Public Library located at 137 W. Margaret Lane in Hillsborough.

The series is free. Participants are asked to register by Friday, August 2.

For more information or to register, please contact Marie Dagger at 919-245-4279 or mdagger@orangecountync.gov.

Photo of Ranger Up group presenting check to Veterans Memorial

Suzy Palmisciano and Matt Phinney (right, front) from Ranger Up present a check for $33,165.80 on behalf of all the participants and supporters of the Ranger Up Grappling Classic to David Chandler (holding check, at left), and other members of the Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee. The funds were raised during the Ranger Up Grappling Classic tournaments during Veterans Day and Memorial Day weekends and will go to help fund the next phase of construction for the Orange County Veterans Memorial. Click to learn more about the planned Veterans Memorial, including ways you can donate and make the memorial become a reality.

OCAC Arts Educator Grant Program open for applications

Arts Educator Grants are available to public school arts educators in Orange County Public Schools and Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools seeking professional development. This program funds a variety of expenses and is designed to assist arts educators in advancing their careers.

The grants are available to any public school educator in Orange County teaching in the visual or performing arts pursing professional development opportunities taking place between July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 . The application deadline is midnight, August 31, 2019.

Visit the Orange County Arts Commission website for more information.

Animal Service to host low-cost rabies clinic on July 20

Orange County Animal Services will host its next low-cost rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, July 20, 2019.

These clinics ensure that cats and dogs are current on their vaccinations, while providing pet owners with substantial savings on rabies vaccinations.

The clinic will offer 1-year and 3-year vaccinations for $10. Pet owners will need to have a previous rabies certificate in hand to receive the 3-year vaccine. A tag alone is not sufficient. This clinic will take place on the following date:

Saturday, July 20th, from 10 a.m. – Noon

Schley Grange Hall

3416 Schley Road in Hillsborough, NC

Microchips will also be offered at this clinic for $35 each, including registration fees. Owners can choose to have a pet receive only a microchip, only a rabies vaccine, or both. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier.

For more information about Orange County Animal Services, including additional clinic dates and rabies vaccination clinic requirements, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/155/Animal-Services or call 919-942-PETS (7387).

N. C. Agriculture Cost Share Funds for non-point source pollution control available soon

The Orange Soil and Water Conservation District expects to receive its cost-share allocation from the state for non-point source pollution control from agriculture activities in the next couple of weeks.

These funds are available to assist farmers in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) which help decrease the amount of sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, animal waste, chemicals and other pollutants entering surface and ground waters.

Landowners and operators may apply for technical and cost-share assistance to install BMPs such as animal waste storage facilities, mortality management systems, wells and watering troughs in conjunction with livestock exclusion fencing from streams, heavy use areas, animal trails and stream crossings, closure of waste impoundments, cropland conversions, sod-based rotations, grassed waterways, field borders and diversions.

For a complete list of BMPs available and other cost-share programs to improve water
quality and enhance an agriculture operation, go to Orange County Soil and Water Conservation’s website at www.orangecountync.gov/soilwater (See Financial Assistance).

An initial sign up will be held through Aug. 16 for landowners and operators to request technical and cost-share assistance on practices.

Request for technical assistance will be provided throughout the year and cost-share assistance for as long as funding is available.

To apply for cost share assistance and other agricultural funding programs, please contact Kenny Ray or Todd Roberts at (919) 245-2750 or visit the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District office located in the Environment and Agriculture Center at 306 Revere Rd., Suite D, Hillsborough.

www.orangecountync.gov