Dell to pay back $26M in incentives for NC plant

WINSTON-SALEM — Computer giant Dell Inc. has agreed to pay back more than $26 million to a North Carolina city and county and two special funds for incentives given to its soon-to-be-closed manufacturing plant in Winston-Salem.

Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines sent a letter Monday confirming Dell will repay $15.5 million in upfront city spending within 30 days. Dell also will repay almost $11 million in grant and county costs.

Dell spokesman Kip Thompson acknowledged the company’s agreement to the terms in a letter written Tuesday.

Dell announced Oct. 7 it was closing its 4-year-old large computer assembly plant by the end of January. More than 900 workers will lose their jobs.

The computer company was given more than $300 million in state and local incentives.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)