Andrews set to acquire full ownership of industrial park

    Andrews – Lawmakers reached an agreement for the town to purchase Cherokee County’s interest in the industrial park that houses Carolina Mountain Trout and Suburban Propane on Milton Mashburn Drive.
    “There are several acres that have not been developed,” Mayor James Reid said. “It’s a real asset for the town to have full ownership.”
    The county and town jointly purchased the property several years ago for an economic development project. Since then, Andrews has collected rent from the fish plant, while the county has collected rent from the propane company.
    “Since it exists within town limits, the county is selling our interest in the property to them so one governing agency can manage it,” County Manager Randy Wiggins said.
    Town officials plan to appropriate $40,000 for the purchase in the 2020-21 fiscal year budget, which must be finalized by July. At that time, the county will officially transfer the deed to the town.
    “We’ll be able to collect all the revenue from the property, and we’ll also be able to apply for economic development grants,” Reid said. “This is a home run for the Town of Andrews.”