[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6357113,"mediaKeyId","2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede","parentId",2215452,"title","Voluntary agricultural district board reports 20,131 acres enrolled; county discusses farmland protection and signage","audioSeconds",268,"startMs",3740000,"endMs",4008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede&start=3740&end=4008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede/thumbnail_3740000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6357113/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Voluntary-agricultural-district-board-reports-20131-acres-enrolled-county-discusses-farmland-protection-and-signage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357113-2edf6b11c26054ab309bcce61af75cb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191515&Signature=i~8GD060JvKak1ZXasS11YGiuSO~hP6EXr7q5yx9E5iLKIfNfVHEtgWZFLDgUTfc7Oj-E4NEPH49O3zxS54TjDAT66cRwzBkUm8a9Pis7emSoVsS3JqxP2pKkAOqD30-Pygs0A00UKByGyjjhqQ8tlJxNBxDAWWF3ngqIOTXbDJ~rQSYxhPZQbTmgih~ZJkBD2jIO45btjP4a7Pm~CAguft0UPxykyEjVVq-9rL8OLJkjAOVOtoBFs9gdwSFzPOCvDlbNsmnIzWoIwslJlgYhMjZQPmHsI0Up56x~wb0BwC7IBTrnRrAnTM3Q6yOe7cfjWhG4HkGSPNY03ewhmzd5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Randolph County, NC","date","2025-02-04T02:31:43.223Z","article","The Randolph County Voluntary Agricultural District (VAD) board told county commissioners on Feb. 3 that the program added 15 new parcels in 2024 (totaling 555 acres), removed 206 acres from enrollment and now covers 20,131 acres, which staff said represents roughly 13% of the county's agricultural acres.

The VAD board meets quarterly, accepts applications year-round and reported that parcels are removed for reasons including sale; staff said owners are asked whether they wish to reenroll. The VAD program includes two enrollment tracks, a more-restrictive enhanced option and a less restrictive option that allows exit without an easement; staff described the program as a step between no protection and a permanent conservation easement.

Staff and commissioners discussed signage and outreach funded by an awarded grant: new signs to mark enrolled farmland, promotional materials, and the development or update of a farmland protection plan. Commissioners noted county farmland losses in recent years and emphasized the program's role in clarifying expectations for neighbors about farming operations (e.g., sights and smells) and in GIS mapping used in site-selection and land-management decisions.

Ending

Commissioners thanked the VAD board for the report and encouraged continued outreach to preserve farmland and educate residents about agricultural operations. Staff said grant funds will support signage, promotional materials and the farmland protection plan update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Randolph County Board of Commissioners - February 3, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Voluntary Agricultural District board presented its annual report: 15 parcels (555 acres) added in 2024, 206 acres removed, and a program total of 20,131 enrolled acres, about 13% of the county's agricultural acreage.","taxTitle","Randolph County, North Carolina","taxId",14195,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357127,"Randolph County commissioners approve economic incentives, zoning updates, two construction contracts and other routine business",117,8469000,8586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede&start=8469&end=8586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede/thumbnail_8469000.jpg","/articles/6357127/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Randolph-County-commissioners-approve-economic-incentives-zoning-updates-two-construction-contracts-and-other-routine-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357127-72657d8ff770e6b85886a4ccbb27205c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191515&Signature=BtKMwNw~NRdf3IYfRvl6zQ3qnl5N-p2q8dT5~eIjIIGHCIKXyhqv4kEhDeqIaL8TcRtqQpG8EiRRaYjSmignWDoEycwoXAnWRjZQLQtq7YISiqSwG0pqaAPMLcTBbcobK1UKPeLcYekvc-HGXQMbXAWx1qe7Sykd3HoSfVwsAki1Ws8nP2wcfyMnOT0lPMYyW3dS~0LSMOs2a7hyENhlIyG4G9Rky1anVE59r~5dGnQo4qIyGNT1sA5nveR2JZNh9n8jybnzdCHQX9mmMwurfRRgQzKBuIkz0wAlUHqflFFcxvsQ4I~LYClOF-~qyzsKgpftcOvqeMhiDfIqkf8vOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Randolph County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a package of local incentives for a potential precast concrete manufacturer, adopted multiple land-use ordinance updates the county said were required by the state, awarded two construction-related contracts and completed routine procedural business including adopting a budget schedule.

Project Blue Crab, a prospective manufacturer the county's Economic Development Commission (EDC) is courting, would invest an estimated $9.1 million, create about 60 jobs over five years with average wages above $63,000, and qualify for state grants. The board approved a local incentive offer of $92,000 paid over five years as a cash grant-back contingent on the company meeting job and investment commitments; the county will be the applicant for two state grants that require a local match. The board approved the resolution authorizing the county to enter the economic development incentive agreement.

The board adopted text amendments to the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that break the former '1highway commercial'2 zoning category into three new commercial districts with differing permitted uses, add definitions and new use standards, and create a streamlined staff-level approval to allow two dwelling units on a single parcel when one unit is owner-occupied. Commissioners also adopted updates to the county's Watershed Protection Ordinance and related flood-damage prevention elements; staff said the changes implement the state model watershed ordinance and are required unless the county requests and receives state approval for stronger local rules.

On capital projects the board awarded two low bids. The county awarded a turnkey contract for an electronic AgCenter entrance sign to Signage Industries (bid $164,416.23) and authorized the county manager to sign the contract. The board also awarded a construction contract for the Bush Creek pedestrian bridge to Eastern Structures; the low bid received was $987,000, higher than the engineer's estimate, but staff said the county has a state trails grant of roughly $860,828 toward the project and the board approved the contract and manager signature.

The board approved a motion directing that Randolph County continue to operate a single-county local child fatality/child-protection team under incoming state changes to the child fatality system. The board also approved the proposed budget schedule for the coming fiscal cycle and handled routine agenda and consent motions.

Votes at a glance

- Project Blue Crab incentives: motion to approve resolution authorizing county to enter economic development incentive agreement; outcome: approved (unanimous). Local incentive package: $92,000 paid over five years; company anticipates >$9.1M investment, 60 jobs over five years, average wage above $63,000; state grants estimated >$350,000 (local match required). Presenting staff: Crystal Geddes (EDC).

- UDO amendment and adoption: motion to approve amendments to the Randolph County Unified Development Ordinance including new commercial districts, definitions, and use categories; outcome: approved (unanimous). Presenting staff: Randolph County planning staff (Tanya, planning staff).

- Watershed Protection Ordinance & Flood Damage Prevention updates: motion to adopt state-required watershed ordinance updates as part of the UDO; outcome: approved (unanimous). Staff said the county may adopt stronger standards later with state approval. Presenting staff: Randolph County planning staff.

- AgCenter entrance sign: award to Signage Industries (base bid $164,416.23) for an LED/electronic double-sided sign and installation; outcome: approved 4-1. Staff noted alternate bid (preferred manufacturer OPTECH via StoneTree) used different LED technology; the board selected the lower-cost Vantage-based bid.

- Bush Creek pedestrian bridge: award to Eastern Structures, low bid $987,000; outcome: approved 4-1. Staff said the bridge is 150 feet, will require a conditional letter of map revision (CLOMAR) because it affects the floodplain and the project sits on state-owned railbed property; a state trails grant of ~$860,828 covers most of the cost but the county's remaining trail work will require additional funds.

- Child fatality/child protection team governance: motion to approve Randolph County remaining a single-county local team under the state's revised child fatality prevention structure; outcome: approved (unanimous). Presenting staff: Tracy Murphy and Tara (public health/child-fatality staff).

- Budget schedule: motion to adopt the proposed budget-calendar schedule; outcome: approved (unanimous).

What the motions mean now

Approving the EDC recommendation for Project Blue Crab permits county staff to sign the incentive/resolution documents and be the applicant for state grant matches required by the company's grant awards; county staff said grant funds would be passed through to the company only after the company met job and investment benchmarks and after legal protections (deed of trust or equivalent) are in place. The UDO and watershed ordinance changes take effect as the county incorporates the adopted ordinance language into its code; staff said the state-required watershed changes cannot be weakened without state approval. Awarding the two construction contracts starts the procurement phase; staff said the state must participate in review and approvals for the Bush Creek bridge because most of the trail and bridge are on state-owned property.

Sources and evidence

This item summarizes votes and formal motions that appear at the Feb. 3 Randolph County Board of Commissioners meeting and were discussed by EDC staff, planning staff, and county project managers.

Ending

Board discussion indicated interest in pursuing additional grant funding to complete trail segments once the bridge is built; staff cautioned that some trail work will require additional county funding. Several commissioners said they view the Blue Crab outreach and UDO revisions as tools to attract investment while protecting residential areas. ","The Randolph County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved a local incentive package for a proposed precast concrete manufacturer, adopted updates to the county's Unified Development Ordinance and watershed rules, awarded two construction contracts (an electronic sign and a pedestrian bridge) and adopted a budget schedule.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357118,"County child-fatality team reports 18 deaths reviewed amid continued focus on substance abuse and safe-sleep prevention",1013,4195000,5208000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede&start=4195&end=5208","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede/thumbnail_4195000.jpg","/articles/6357118/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/County-child-fatality-team-reports-18-deaths-reviewed-amid-continued-focus-on-substance-abuse-and-safe-sleep-prevention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357118-acefdbb625ff398b48d58ae351582b1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191515&Signature=S~vLsfXNKQndnMJiUFsQlQ9~1ifwHn4UPLOjhWkuRBw9A9grKiBKGRYdzIU5RpRuykM069Qhqk2I7ueVSW9uvO2rhDeWqij4reJpXcvYtsu3e49EiMK5zzcpjLrKQCop0UnqfQyr5wJAq4RRNuMX0yTek~9aFVHbJmYHHYLPgL2dXVzDyu-FnDEiahSV-cuQ6iWOdhbP9wY4Mxw3px2~xMY~oTK9x1emm6QENXNFbEz7q43StulfG0bg59twigoOSPOLvEqc51BSKxSOdMada8pBg19I3~0DwlbQ09uTtwTiczPih9kDa9tur~mdb~VTovdvXCumGQzw~-j~w0gdUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Randolph County health department staff and members of the county's child-protection/child-fatality teams presented annual findings at the Feb. 3 Board of Commissioners meeting, reporting systemic concerns and education efforts and asking the board to confirm local governance under new state rules.

Tracy Murphy, representing the community child protection team, said the county reviewed 10 child-welfare cases during the year and that substance abuse, improper supervision and inadequate care continued to be the top recurring concerns in cases referred to the department of social services. Murphy said substance abuse commonly contributes to neglect, unsafe environments and unstable caregiving.

Tara (child fatality team) presented the statutory child-fatality review report for calendar year 2023 as required under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u0000§7B-1407. The team received 18 deaths for review; as of the Feb. 3 meeting 13 of those had been reviewed by the local team and five cases remained pending because the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had not yet completed its reports. Provisional causes of death for the pending cases were available, the presenter said. Causes among reviewed cases included accidents (2), illness (6), perinatal conditions (5), other/ill-defined (4) and one SIDS case; there were no homicides or suicides reported for the reviewed period. The presenters said the county identified no systemic gaps that merited mandatory corrective action within the review period.

The presenters described active prevention work: safe-sleep education and distribution of portable cribs and safe-sleep kits, a small public-awareness billboard campaign (Safe Sleep ABCs) during SIDS awareness month and training for team members including QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide-prevention training. The report said the county provided 300 (225 English/75 Spanish) safe-sleep kits to pediatrician offices and distributed educational materials through partner organizations.

Staff briefed the board on upcoming state changes to the child-fatality prevention system included in the 2023 Appropriations Act: the creation of a state Office of Child Fatality Prevention, consolidation of the two local teams into a single local team, selective review categories with optional review of all deaths, and phased adoption of a national data system (implementation set to begin Jan. 1, 2026). Health and social-services staff recommended Randolph County continue as a single-county local team based on local capacity and stakeholder engagement. The board voted to approve the single-county option.

Ending

Commissioners praised prevention work and requested continued emphasis on safe-sleep outreach, noting the overlap between substance-use disorders and unsafe sleeping arrangements. Health staff said additional state funding for local teams will help with training, data system adoption and prevention materials.","County health and child-protection staff told commissioners they reviewed 13 of 18 child deaths reported for 2023 (five pending with the state medical examiner) and emphasized substance abuse, supervision and safe-sleep education as recurring concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357123,"Toyota site update: county told batteries and hybrid lines coming, hiring continues",497,1249000,1746000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede&start=1249&end=1746","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede/thumbnail_1249000.jpg","/articles/6357123/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Toyota-site-update-county-told-batteries-and-hybrid-lines-coming-hiring-continues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357123-a143148dd00eb50393d546b0c846f2bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191515&Signature=CWBshv-kWGkT8Y4wgAixpO-XB87KTf53-4IxNC0Mps9F5nPD9Y~oxfT5ZjDW1RwmE9weH3IBVIlQZB3hyQEFOo7xLLW35DuLCs9~UhzxplBQD6~zuyVsBY6Wl~n9dsulWTYYa2tOViwcdEIN5YYtKvowxVdSPE~wOFXpDRi~JOYwTUPO7gLMm0fT0Ssjl3uJfcgXDo2P-H5IjHaKAJI0bM15TP0zWorTnY-VLBksNMZaEqv8AcAPPwVQxYKyFnFzypyFc2u13lWGn~KdO-qse96rKK8gfqf~eXbkA7~AQGe4pMWEMDIUVwYXo6k~I58ZbTbPpdwx--nCz5~9G3xLFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Toyota representatives gave Randolph County commissioners an on-site construction and staffing update at the Feb. 3 meeting, including hiring totals, timeline notes and community emergency planning for battery-handling operations.

The company's communications presenter, Emily Holland, accompanied by senior staff Ryan Gideon (accounting/finance), Darius Weatherford (environmental/facilities) and April Mason (plant services general manager), showed a recently produced site video and described the plant's readiness. Holland said the facility includes production lines for hybrid-electric vehicles (lines 801 and 802) and that the plant will begin shipping batteries for those lines in a few months; the company expects to host an opening event for community leaders when parts of the site are operational.

On hiring, Holland said Toyota has hired about 1,400 team members to date, with roughly 1,500 additional candidates who have completed testing and are awaiting job assignment as equipment and work areas become available. The company said its lines are built to be flexible to respond to changing market demand.

Commissioners and staff questioned the company about safety planning for lithium-ion battery storage and handling after recent high-profile battery-storage fires elsewhere. Holland said Toyota is developing both internal crisis response plans and a community-focused response framework that will include outreach to surrounding residents and coordination with local volunteer and municipal fire departments, EMS and the state fire marshal. She said invitations for community safety briefings are planned for late spring (May/June timeframe), and that the company is working with first responders on mutual aid arrangements.

Commissioners also asked about secondary access and DOT interchange timing. Toyota staff said one interchange is essentially complete for access and estimated preliminary access functionality in early spring, with full interchange completion dependent on DOT timelines.

Staff noted on-site services planned for the campus that will support employees and families, including an on-site urgent care, an on-site optometrist and a Walmart-owned retail/pharmacy outlet on campus for basic items and prescriptions.

Ending

Toyota representatives said they intend to continue community engagement and invited the board and residents to on-site tours and upcoming safety briefings. County and company staff will continue coordinating on mutual-aid planning and final interchange work with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.","Toyota representatives updated the Randolph County commissioners on plant build progress, hiring status and community safety planning for battery operations; staff said hybrid-electric lines begin shipping batteries in months and the plant has hired about 1,400 workers with roughly 1,500 in the queue.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6357108,"Resident describes delayed care at Randolph Hospital emergency department during public comment",244,865000,1109000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede&start=865&end=1109","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2215452-3bfdbc0055ff21d62e93000dff621ede/thumbnail_865000.jpg","/articles/6357108/Randolph-County/North-Carolina/Resident-describes-delayed-care-at-Randolph-Hospital-emergency-department-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6357108-29ecbc4103b58fdb6b3a1ffe19c9e8c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191515&Signature=M-5fpDfBm3VZCzgLp6k1xpv5MwGM8ypFLHFlBPYsF2EQk0w9jMhJMCC2Ybe7AeEHIQVT05KURLofM38EW5abvGvmk1gmcBGRvrihKQ9EXkGem7YJdvRz7DUPAmjfsE3fgFwTcLKXmo0Skez5rveQqvB9jTp3c4CNz8croRSvHzYZnPoi28ehNXRV~uTA~1jOmgPOLwq7jdO~VnI-Z637hRFckMeV~CFE5f6gKauIyFh7M6sBHSJMqMQV9jz4f2rtFg7FDk2y6xiy2KF4kB99WFhY-Hzj0PIJUtM7zq4XOzjNFO7uhTzmI7Qibg2MBJTgjDEWnkpPEjECH9H-oNARVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the Feb. 3 public-comment period, Lydia Davenport of Walker Road in Asheboro described an incident on Jan. 24 when she said her husband experienced a prostate-related bleeding emergency at Randolph Hospital's emergency department. Davenport said hospital staff did not adequately monitor or treat the patient and that after a two-hour wait she took him to an urgent care center and later to High Point, where he received immediate care including irrigation and cauterization. She said her husband had to be admitted overnight and required blood replacement.

Davenport asked the board to review the incident and said she had requested the hospital review video from the emergency department. County officials acknowledged the complaint and said the board would make notice to the hospital; the chairman said the county has a representative on the hospital board and staff would follow up.

Ending

County leadership said they would record the complaint and make proper notice to Randolph Hospital; no formal action was taken at the meeting beyond noting and referring the complaint to appropriate staff and a hospital representative.","A Walker Road resident told commissioners her husband experienced a multi-hour delay and lack of adequate care at Randolph Hospital after a serious urinary bleed; county officials said they would follow up with the hospital.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Voluntary agricultural district board reports 20,131 acres enrolled; county discusses farmland protection and signage

Randolph County commissioners approve economic incentives, zoning updates, two construction contracts and other routine business

County child-fatality team reports 18 deaths reviewed amid continued focus on substance abuse and safe-sleep prevention

Toyota site update: county told batteries and hybrid lines coming, hiring continues

Resident describes delayed care at Randolph Hospital emergency department during public comment