Commissioners will decide whether to officially move forward with a public-private partnership in the interest of future business at tonight’s meeting.

Leading off the meeting of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, a public hearing will be held seeking input on the county’s investment of $116,202 in the $1,100,000 industry-ready building to be built in the Washington-Beaufort County Industrial Park on Page Road.

The Beaufort County Committee of 100, an economic development organization, presented the project to commissioners during the board’s February meeting. The county’s donation of the land for the site and an undetermined amount of cash not to exceed $77,653 for legal fees, marketing and maintenance will give the county a 10.56-percent ownership in the shell building, and return on the sale or lease of the building.

Beaufort County Community College makes an appearance on the agenda, in that U.S. Highway 264 could a facelift in front of the college. Bill Kincannon, with the North Carolina Department Transportation, will ask for the support of the board to change the traffic pattern on the highway, which would include medians and turnarounds on what is currently a four-lane road with a center turn lane. College President Dr. Barbara Tansey will give an update on the approval process of the Emergency Services Training Classroom building, a nearly $2 million project paid for through ConnectNC bond funds. As part of the process, the county is required to certify that an additional average of $28,090 per year in operating and utility costs are needed and seek appropriate adjustment to the BCCC budget to accommodate those costs.

Commissioners also will make a decision on whether to sell a county-owned boat ramp on Durham Creek Road at Durham Creek in Aurora. The ramp is still used by some fishermen, but last year Wildlife Resources declined to consider the property for improvements because of its size (small) and that parking access is only along the state road right-of-way.  The property was sold to the county for $150 in 1911; today, it’s appraised at $2,500. GAE Enterprises, Inc. has made an offer of $1,250 on the property, but the deed stipulates that, if sold, it must be done so by public auction at the courthouse door.