Advanced Superabrasives Expansion Could Make Room for New Businesses

With Advanced Superabrasives moving ahead on a new $18 million facility to replace its current North Main Street plant, town and county leaders hope the company’s soon-to-be vacant headquarters will help attract new businesses to the area. Officials discussed the dream scenario inside Mars Hill Town Hall Nov. 6 during the town’s Board of Alderman meeting.

The session opened with a public hearing on a tax incentive package to support the grinding wheel manufacturer’s construction of a 110,000-square-foot facility beside its current 37,000 square foot space. The deal, which aldermen greenlighted, will see the town forgo 70 percent of property tax revenue on the new site for a maximum of 10 years. County commissioners approved a similar package in October.

“Even at 30 percent, the town will see an increase in revenue,” Sara Nichols, Madison’s county planner, told aldermen. The reason, she said, is that the new building will add significantly to property’s current tax value of $782,481.

An added benefit from the new facility could also come when the company’s old plant becomes available for lease. “We’ve been working with Advanced Superabrasives for over 10 years,” Mars Hill Town Manager Darhyl Boone said. “We’ve talked about a certified industrial site through those years and had the discussion of another company moving into their building.”

That possibility could address the obstacle Madison faces when attempting to attract new businesses. “It’s one of the biggest ‘asks’ we get,” Nichols told aldermen of finding sites for new employers to set up shop. “We don’t have the space. We could potentially see two or three new companies move in. Advanced Superabrasives has been a good community partner in that way. They’ve been at the forefront of thinking of us in that capacity.”

As for when that ideal scenario could come together, Jonathan Szucs, the manufacturer’s president, has targeted a move in date about two years away. “I’d like it to be done by the end of 2019,” Szucs told The News-Record & Sentinel in an October interview. “We have no more room. We’re done.”

Governor’s grant

Boone also announced a $21,000 grant to the Mars Hill Police Department from the Governors’ Crime Commission. The state’s criminal justice planning agency administers all federal block grants, according to its website. Mars Hill Police Chief said the grant will help fund body cameras for the town’s police officers.

“He worked hard to get funds and he got that grant,” Boone said of Garrison’s effort.

The grant announcement came as aldermen passed a routine budget amendment to properly account for the influx of funds. The measure also included expenses related to an insurance claim on a police vehicle. Recent flooding in Mars Hill led to engine damage in a police vehicle according to Boone.

News and notes

Scott Greene and Tim Moran of the Madison County Youth Baseball League requested access to the town’s baseball field. The growing hardball league currently has 17 teams across the county covering ages 6-15, with nine in Mars Hill, according to Greene… Nichols updated aldermen regarding plans for a student cleanup Nov. 14 of the storm water park behind the school. “My guys will be happy to hear about that,” Boone said of the effort to assist the town’s maintenance department.