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Nafe again?

Wilkes County commissioners heard more positive economic news Tuesday night during their first meeting of the new year.

Jeff Garstka, Wilkes Economic Development Corp. (EDC) president, told commissioners that the Town of North Wilkesboro was seeking a $180,000 grant from the N.C. Rural Center to help a local enterprise retain existing jobs and create new ones.

Garstka also provided an update on ongoing efforts with potential and available economic development sites.

$180,000 grant sought

He said businessman Scott Nafe bought most of the assets of D&D Displays Inc. after it closed recently and was moving it from a building on Shaver Street to part of the Mirror Factory (former Carolina Mirror building) on N.C. 268 East. Nafe owns both North Wilkesboro buildings.

Garstka said the business is starting with 15 employees in the new location and as the Wood Products Division of Nafe’s Commercial Properties LLC. He said this included about 10 people who worked at D&D Displays when it closed, plus about five more. Pay is above the county average.

The woodworking business will continue production of retail merchandise display racks.

Garstka said the $180,000 grant, if approved, would fund less than half of the cost of renovating a portion of The Mirror Factory for the former D&D Displays.

Nafe already renovated much of the building to lease space for multiple commercial and industrial operations.

North Wilkesboro commissioners unanimously agreed to apply for the grant Tuesday night and to provide a 5 percent match ($5,000) if it is approved.

http://www.journalpatriot.com/news/article_f606ec52-3709-11e1-be08-001a4bcf6878.html