Public feedback is being sought as part of an economic development process that would see up to $30,000 in incentive payments dished out by the city of Clinton and Sampson County in return for a local tax and employment commitment from a manufacturing company.

The Sampson County Board of Commissioners called a public hearing for 7 p.m. Jan. 19. The City Council has called such a hearing for 7 p.m. Jan. 21. The public hearings are a necessary step so that public input can be received regarding the proposed appropriations.

Economic developer John Swope has previously briefed both county commissioners and City Council on negotiations with the company to jointly provide such incentive payments over a 10-year period. According to Swope, the payments would be made pursuant to a written agreement with the company.

That written agreement would include the commitment of the industry to make certain capital investments in the county, as well as maintain certain levels of employment. How many jobs and the amount of tax revenue the industry would bring to the area is not yet known, and would be part of the written agreement.

Before any action is taken regarding such an agreement, a public hearing must be held to hear public comments.

Swope declined to name the company. Sources said the company is an out-of-state athletic apparel company, based in the Midwest, with manufacturing facilities in North Carolina. He said the company has asked not to be named publicly before the public hearing.

“Obviously, we’re making an effort to recruit this opportunity and jobs and don’t want to hinder that,” said Swope.

The company would manufacture consumer products within the Sampson Southeast Business Center (Industrial Park) in Clinton. Additional information on the company, the project and what it will mean to the area in terms of jobs and tax revenue will be made available at the hearings, Swope said.

“We, the county and the city are working to actively recruit these jobs,” said Swope. “Especially in economic times like these, while it’s not a large project, we see this as an opportunity to do that.”

The Sampson County Board of Commissioners and the City Council can each take action concerning the proposed agreement and related transactions immediately following the hearing.

The county public hearing will be held at the board’s usual meeting room in the County Administration Building on County Complex Road Jan. 19. The city will hold its hearing at the City Hall Auditorium Jan. 21. Both hearings will begin at 7 p.m.

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 121, or by email at sicrime@myclintonnc.com.