The new economic development projects keep coming and coming to Guilford County.
Now, OpSun Systems – a solar infrastructure company headquartered in Quebec – has announced plans for a $17 million expansion at its existing facility in High Point – a move that could bring 32 new jobs to Guilford County by the end of 2029.
The company, which specializes in advanced mounting systems for commercial and industrial solar panels, is supposedly evaluating several locations across the United States for the project, with its site at 772 Gallimore Dairy Road in High Point among the leading candidates.
The truth, however, is that, when projects like this make it onto the agenda of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners, it is already a done deal and the company has agreed to expand here and the commissioners have agreed to grant incentives.
To help secure the expansion, Guilford County officials are proposing an economic development incentive grant of $71,127. That grant would be issued as a cash payment under the county’s Economic Development Investment Guidelines. The funds would only be paid out if OpSun finalizes its plans to expand in High Point and enters into a formal development agreement with the county.
Founded in Canada, OpSun has made a name for itself in the renewable energy sector by designing custom solar racking systems optimized for efficiency and durability. The company’s US operations have grown steadily in recent years as the demand for solar installations continues to rise across the country.
The expansion is meant to enhance OpSun’s manufacturing and distribution capabilities in the US while adding new skilled jobs in the Triad area.
The company is also seeking additional financial support from the state and from the City of High Point.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to hold a public hearing on April 17 at 5:30 p.m. in Greensboro to hear input before voting on the proposed grant.
OpSun’s request for taxpayer money is a good time to start saying NO to incentives. OpSun’s location gives them space to expand without a lot of investment as would a new location. Are they really considering other locations? I doubt it. They want taxpayer money to offset the cost of expanding their operation on Gallimore Dairy Rd. Such is the corporate game of incentives.
Seventy-one grand payola. At the disadvantage of all other businesses in the County who don’t collect Jack from the taxpayer; they pay Jack.
where are this company’s US operations ? & how big & for how long ? why do they need this $71,127 peanut ?
Pfft. No, this is the WRONG one to start denying incentives. Deny incentives for distribution centers and warehouse-only operations. In the long run they AT BEST do nothing for the local citizens, while manufacturing, particularly in growing industries, does. What’s more, stopping the incentives games has to involve at least national level agreements/legislation, preferably international.
Regardless of what stopping incentives entails, stop giving taxpayer money to businesses. Incentives are nothing more than a scheme by corporations to take money (taxpayer money) from state, city, and county governments. Governments are on a carnival ride that they do not know how to get off of. A leader at the control of the on/off switch should press stop so everyone can get off. What did companies do in the past when there was a need to expand? They did one of two things, used the company money that had been targeted for such a purpose or borrowed the money. There was no expectation of incentives. Someone must be the first to press the stop button. Why not start with OpSun Systems since their planned expansion on Gallimore Dairy Rd is a go regardless. OpSun Systems, show your respect for the taxpayers of NC and withdraw your request for incentives.
i support incentives for this eco business, if it really exists – that’s what i’m questioning.
Another grant. There goes more of your tax dollars.
china is the world’s biggest source of cobalt, cells & panels & someONE just threw a firecracker into their nest. i would not invest (grant, bequeath,loan, spif etc) while UNCERTAINTY (donald) persists in this industries supply chain. I want a small, modular, mobile, quiet, nuclear fission reactor . . . for my queendom. ~10MW(e). accepting bids.