Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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Cherryville, NC (WNN) - The City of Cherryville held its regular council meeting on October 12, 2026. The meeting's largest topic was whether to adopt the county's incentive grant schedule regarding a potential large business currently known as Project Legacy.
Cherryville Mayor Wade Stroupe - Cherryville, NC City Regular City Council Meeting - October 12, 2026
Ashley Reep (WNN)
Mayor Wade Stroupe mentioned several things going on around Cherryville, including:
Tom Moss showing the 2016 notice of defecation - Cherryville, NC City Regular City Council Meeting - October 12, 2026
Ashley Reep (WNN)
Tom Moss spoke during the public comment on water quality on Highway 150: "I know I'm beating a dead horse, but our water is terrible." Tom Moss brought forth a notice of defecation in 2016. In 2019, the council discussed installing a new water line. Moss is unhappy that seven years later the line is still not installed. He states his water is muddy and basically unusable, and that he cannot use bottled water for tasks like bathing, cooking, and cleaning. He then brought up that he is displeased with the service at City Hall. On September 26, 2026, he sold two cemetery plots back to the city. He requested that the city manager hold the check at City Hall. When he came to receive it, he was told it had been mailed. He did not receive it by the expected date and returned to find out from Cherryville's Finance Director, Dixie Walls, that it had not been mailed. She then mailed the check, and he received it on October 6, 2026. He feels this is a problem, as it prevents those who need money from receiving it promptly.
Although she was not present at the meeting, Robin Little, a City Hall employee, was recognized for a full decade of service to the City of Cherryville. Then the city and the Cherryville Historical Society moved on to recognizing another Cherryville citizen: Lacey Beam Dellinger. Dellinger recently completed a mural at the Cherryville Historical Museum that represents the history of our town through the transition from White Pines to Cherryville. Councilmember Gary Freeman expressed his pride in her as one of his teachers at Gaston College, noting she had received the graduate of the year award before going on to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees. Since then, she has spent 17 years in education, including 11 in Cherryville. Mayor Stroupe awarded her a resolution of recognition for her work at the museum and dedication to the city of Cherryville.
Allen Fraley put on his "ABC hat" then approached the podium to speak in recommendation of reappointing James Russell Beam to the ABC Board. He noted that in previous years, he doesn't believe Beam has ever missed a meeting. It was voted unanimously to reappoint him to the board. Frayley then went on to say he was happy to have received the offer to have the ABC parking lot repaved at a lower price, saving nearly $18,000 by piggybacking on the city's purchase. Before presenting council with a $20,000 check, he mentioned some stats. Since 1982, the Cherryville ABC store has earned $1,309,799, which went to the city, and $232,800, which went to Cherryville law enforcement. Additionally, the store experienced another record-breaking year, grossing $1,833,000.
The City of Cherryville held its public hearing for the incentive grant for Project Legacy. Mayor Wade Stroupe felt it should be noted that the vote was for the incentive and not the company, currently under the alias of Project Legacy, coming to Cherryville. This action was in order to lay the groundwork to attract/allow the business to come to the area. The incentive would be 85% for the first 5 years, then 70% for years 6 through 10.
City Manager Brian Dalton emphasized that the rumor that this is a data center is false and that he was allowed to say it was a manufacturing company. The top 10 companies in Cherryville have a land investment of $80,77,988. Project Legacy is estimated to be worth $70-75 million, which would nearly double the property tax revenue Cherryville's large companies generate. Dalton noted that if this goes into effect, the company would file for annexation and, if placed in Cherryville, would plan to use Cherryville electric as well. If added to the grid, it would account for roughly 10% of Cherryville's electrical sales, at around 3 megawatts of power per month. Later in the hearing, a concerned citizen asked how this would affect our power bills, and Dalton claimed that if it had any effect, it would lower power rates.
Furthermore, Dalton addressed concerns about the financial impact on the city. He explicitly stated that the project would not cost the city or its citizens any money:
"This company will not cost a citizen not one penny"
- Brian Dalton, Cherryville City Manager
Alisha Summey, Gaston County's Economic Development Commission Director of Operations, then spoke about the project. She noted that part of her job is making sure the people actually want the companies to come, and, with Cherryville being a textile town, she feels this company is a good fit. It will help with citizens staying in Cherryville, as the company does not believe many of its current employees will be willing to drive or relocate. Additionally, she mentioned that the company may eventually have more than double the originally slated 150 positions, with employees earning an average of around $75k.
Speaking to the incentive itself, she noted that it is based on investment, so they would receive a smaller incentive if they do not invest the fully planned $70-75 million. The company hopes to be fully operational by 2028, depending on the amount of site work needed. The municipal grant would issue about $1.8 million in tax reimbursement over its 10-year course, which comes directly from Project Legacy's own tax payments. However, if the investment amount is lower, they would not fall into the level 4 tier and would receive less reimbursement. After the grant, the tax value estimate is about $516,000. While their machinery will be depreciating at this time, as a manufacturer, they would be replacing equipment, which would restore the tax value. She also mentioned that this incentive is meant to attract companies from around the globe to Gaston County, but this one, specifically, is an all-American company.
Despite the explanations, citizens still expressed concern about the nature of the company and the effects it may have locally. Summey mentioned that if the company does come to Cherryville, it could be prevented from being part of Cherryville during the annexation hearing. She feels certain that this is a company willing to further invest in the community and that we will want it here. Susie Lewis, a local contractor, spoke up to explain that most large companies install their own utility lines, which are then handed over to the city or government body responsible for the area. Jessica Moreno also spoke, asking whether the job would be guaranteed to locals and whether there were other ways the company could help. It is likely that most current employees will not relocate, and Summey believes there could be additional jobs and investments down the line. Some citizens spoke in favor of the grant incentive, hoping it will help bring not just this company, but others like it to Cherryville.
WNN's Rusty Wise asked about the resolution stating that the city manager would be authorized to make decisions regarding the agreement. While the technical language used would mean decisions would not have to be brought back before the council, Mayor Stroupe feels that any major change would have to be brought back. While Wise requested it, legal counsel was not available for this meeting because City Attorney Yansea Taylor was absent. Ultimately, the city council voted unanimously to approve the incentive.
Dalton provided a few updates on local happenings. He mentioned that the new police department will be holding an open house on October 20, 2026, from 2 pm to 6 pm. The side entrance to City Hall is open, and citizens can now pay utility bills inside again. The turf project at the ballfields may begin as soon as October 13, 2026. He also mentioned the Highway 150 water line and said the engineering documents are with the NCDEQ and awaiting approval. He estimates the installation of the 12" water line will be around $1.5 million. Additonally the contract for electrical work needed at the fire department for the GEMS ambulances was awarded to Hefner Electric. No council member had additional comments.
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