Following in the footsteps of the Chapel Hill Town Council, the Orange County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a $4 million incentive package to bring Wegmans Supermarket to Chapel Hill.

“When we first started talking about incentives years ago, a number of us said informally that we would never provide incentives for retail,” said commissioner Bernadette Pelissier. “Most of retail doesn’t provide well-paying jobs, doesn’t necessarily provide benefits and this is different. Wegmens is different.”

Wegmans is a high-end supermarket that will move into the space on 15-501 soon to be vacated by Performance Automall.

In the first five years after opening in Chapel Hill, the store expects to grow from $62 million in annual revenue to $83 million.

Director of Orange County economic development Steve Brantley said Wegmans would be the single largest financial generator to the county and to the town.

“This project is proposing the creation of 185 full-time jobs with healthcare and other benefits,” he said. “In addition there are 230 to 413 part-time jobs.”

The incentive will go on for five years after Wegmans opens.

Chapel Hill and Orange County will split the cost of the incentive, with each taking half of the $4 million annually.

The incentives are tied to the performance of Wegmans, meaning if the company fails to reach its expected goals, the financial incentives for Orange County would decrease proportionally.

“I do not thing we can repeat enough that this is performance based,” said commissioner Mia Burroughs. “This is revenue positive and it was built specifically to make sure that was the case, which is why I’m very comfortable supporting this.”

Wegmans will also make necessary road repairs and handle environmental concerns to get the site ready for its opening.

The company also has a history of getting involved with nonprofits in the area surrounding its stores. Brantley said this would be a major advantage for the community.

“When Orange County wins a project like this, we gain the relationship with that organization,” he said. “We can introduce nonprofits like PORCH, Empowerment and so forth.”

Performance Automall is not expected to vacate the premises until the summer of 2017. Wegmens is not expected to open until the fall of 2019.

Related Stories
‹
Community Home Trust Recognized with Statewide Innovative Affordable Housing Award
An Orange County nonprofit recently took home a statewide award for helping make homes permanently affordable for a group facing eviction.
Chapel Hill Changes Its Leaf Collection Policy to Only Accept Containers
With the fall season approaching, the Town of Chapel Hill is changing how it collects leaves and is no longer collecting loose piles.
Labor Day to Affect Local Government Services Around Orange County Community (2025)
Monday marks the observance of Labor Day, which is meant to celebrate the contribution of workers and employees across the United States. With that, the local governments in Orange County will be giving many of their employees the day off, which will affect certain local government services. Ahead of the holiday on Monday, September 1, […]
Facing End of Temporary Shelter, Displaced Camelot Village Residents Lament Landlord Inaction and Limited Options
Some flood victims from Camelot Village have not received July rent or security deposits back even as they face financial and housing strains.
Orange County Arts Community Set for Uproar Festival Despite Recent Flood Damage
Orange County's Uproar Festival of Public Art returns on Aug. 1 – and it comes as the arts community recovers from catastrophic flooding.
Gov. Stein Surveys Flooding Damage in Chapel Hill, Pledges to 'Do Everything We Can' for Relief
Gov. Josh Stein toured some of the Chapel Hill residences and businesses damaged by Chantal's flooding nearly two weeks prior.
Chapel Hill Approves Rezoning for Greene Tract Site, Hears Next Steps for Development
The Chapel Hill Town Council is making progress on developing the Greene Tract, meeting in June to rezone part of the site. 
Days After Historic Rain, Chapel Hill and Durham Under Another Flash Flood Warning
Many areas of Orange County, Chatham County and the rest of central North Carolina are again under a flash flood warning on Wednesday.
'We Need Help': Orange County Flood Victims Beginning to Pick Up the Pieces
Orange County residents whose homes were flooded during Sunday's storm shared their emotions and what help they need in the aftermath.
Celebration of July 4 to Alter Local Government Services in Orange County
The celebration of Independence Day on Friday, July 4 will affect several local government services in and around Orange County. Here’s a look at what will and won’t be happening that week: Town of Chapel Hill All Chapel Hill administrative offices will be closed Friday. Residential trash pickup will not be affected. Commercial trash will […]
›