NHC commissioners help fund Raleigh St extension for Vertex

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY)– New Hanover County Commissioners will help pay to prevent traffic near one of Wilmington’s newest businesses.

The city of Wilmington asked the county to help fund a 1.5 million dollar project to extend Raleigh Street off Carolina Beach Road where Vertex Rail Technologies will bring thirteen hundred jobs to the area. The commissioners approved the request to fund the project using their economic development budget.

Chairman Jonathan Barfield says helping with the project is the county’s way of showing the new rail company their appreciation.

“You know bringing 1,300 jobs to our community, we definitely want to send a positive message to this company,” Barfield said. “We definitely want you here. We want the jobs that you’re bringing. Overall, you’re going to add to the economic vitality of our community for years to come with jobs paying anywhere from 12 dollars an hour to 30 dollars an hour. I think it’s phenomenal.”

The request asks the city and the county to each contribute $300,000 and the NC DOT to fund the other $900,000.