A children’s wear manufacturer plans to open a new facility in Guilford County that will result in a $50-million capital investment and 116 new jobs.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the matter at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 6, in the commissioners’ meeting room on the second floor of the Old Guilford County Court House at 301 W. Market St. in downtown Greensboro.
The board will consider a request from Lollytogs for over $1.8 million in incentives. The county hasn’t offered many specifics. However, incentives generally take the form of multi-year property tax breaks.
The company already has a presence on Airport Center Drive in Greensboro.
Almost every time a company gets to the point of asking the Guilford County Board of Commissioners for incentive money, the project in question is a done deal. In recent years, especially, the commissioners almost always approved the incentive request and the company in question then opens up shop in Guilford County.
Lollytogs claims its choice is now down to Guilford County and one other location.
Lollytogs designs and produces apparel and school uniforms for children under the brand names French Toast, Healthtex, Detour and @School. It also makes clothes under the Carhartt and Lee School names and other brand names, including sportswear, swimwear and jackets.
The company, which was founded in 1958, is based out of New York and sells its products largely in department stores and at discount stores, as well as through independent fashion outlets.
Before the Board of Commissioners can grant an economic incentive, it’s required to hold a public hearing to receive input on the proposal. In this case, the request is for $1,833,321 in incentives to support the company’s proposed facility.
At the May 6 hearing, the board will only hear five proponents and five opponents in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There will also be virtual participation through the GoToWebinar platform for the first five proponents and the first five opponents who sign up to speak online.
Those who wish to fill the available in-person and virtual speaking slots may register on a first-come, first-served basis by sending an email to awebb@guilfordcountync.govno later than Wednesday, May 5, at 1 p.m. In-person or virtual participation credentials will be provided to registered speakers.
A vote by the board on the request will occur at least twenty-four hours after the hearing.
Great news! Anything that provides jobs and opportunities for Greensboro and Guilford County is good. Greensboro and Guilford County have sat back and let other areas surge way ahead for far too long.
Incentives are government bribes that we as taxpayers fund. They are wrong and should be illegal. The County doesn’t give our small business incentives to do business here and shouldn’t give them to any other business either.
Right! What about all the other businesses, large or small. Don’t they get freebies, too? You’ve given unfair advantage to the recipient, to the disadvantage of all others. Where did this payola start?
Just make me King of Guilford County. I’ll put a stop to all this s*^t. Freeloaders and bums out. Get up off your arse and get on with it.