The upcoming closing of Weir Valve means last year’s hopes of more jobs at the facility outside Washington will not come to fruition.
The closing means Weir Valve will not benefit from a North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center grant. Last spring, Weir Valve was seeking the grant to help it retool and add new jobs. However, the city will benefit from the decision by Weir Valve not to pursue the grant.
As part of its obligation to provide some funds to “match” that grant, the City of Washington transferred $20,500 from its general fund to be used as part of that match. Those funds, plus interest, are being returned the general fund.
The city will use $16,000 of those funds to paint the street-poles along Stewart Parkway and in adjacent parking lots.
In recent months, some people have complained about the appearance of those poles, asking that the poles be painted and light fixtures repaired or replaced where necessary.
In a report to the council, the Washington Harbor District Alliance noted that it developed and presented to city management a detailed waterfront lighting plan highlighting deficiencies in current lighting and nonfunctional fixtures. That plan and comments made the inaugural Coffee with Council last year were factors in the city deciding to improve the poles and lighting fixtures, according to some city officials.
The report also noted Chris Furlough was elected its president, replacing Ross Hamory, its long-term president. Furlough previously served WHDA as its chairman of economic restructuring.
WHDA added the position of vice president to its leadership positions. Trent Tetterton was elected to the post. Tetterton will replace Furlough as chairman of economic restructuring.
LaVon Drake, a Music in the Streets organizer, was elected chairwoman of WHDA’s promotions branch. Clinton Sorenson was elected as WHDA’s treasurer. Selden Taylor, with Stocks & Taylor, will serve will Bobby Roberson as co-chairmen of the design committee.
The report notes that WHDA continues to work with the city manager, property owners and prospective investors in promoting downtown hotel sites. A downtown hotel is a key component of the strategy to redevelop the city’s downtown area and restructure its economy.