A recent news stated that Columbia and Tyrrell County leaders in late October threw their support behind efforts by Stiletto Manufacturing Inc. to obtain a $50,000 start-up loan from the Albemarle Commission. The loan was awarded November 19.

Stiletto, at 107 South Water Street in Columbia, intends to build catamaran sailboats and market them internationally, plus conduct a sailing school in local waters. Company projections say employment could reach 35-50 jobs.

The news report about the loan award added that Tyrrell commissioners Nina Griswell and Larry Hill, after an October 20closed session on economic development, voted against sending the support letter.

Deanna Armstrong of Columbia, commenting on Facebook November 26, and confirming her remarks in a later interview, wrote, “I don’t understand why any of the commissioners would vote against helping a new business come to Columbia. Are there that many different companies trying to get started here that they feel it’s good to not offer to help? I would think that new, well paying jobs would be welcomed.”

Asked for comment, Commissioner Hill said in an interview December 1 that his negative vote was “definitely not a vote against economic development,” but that he was restrained from making further comment now without divulging information shared in the closed session on October 20.

Commissioner Griswell did not respond to a written invitation to comment on her vote against sending a letter to support Stiletto.

The majority of the Tyrrell commissioners — Tommy Everett, Leroy Spivey and Carl Willis — passed the motion on October 20 to send the support letter, and Chairman Spivey did so the same day.

State law allows public bodies to discuss privately various matters, which, if made public then, would frustrate the purpose of the discussion. In the case of economic development, the officials may close the door to discuss the location or expansion of industries or other businesses, including economic incentives that may be offered by the public body in negotiations. The body may also instruct its agent in negotiating the price and terms of a contract to acquire real property.

Columbia aldermen in late summer voted unanimously to file a pre-application for a Building Renovation and Reuse grant that could mean funding in February of up to $10,000 for each job Stiletto creates in addition to the five positions established through the loan. The aldermen also unanimously directed the mayor to send a letter of support for Stiletto when the loan application was pending.