Asphalt plant planning Laurel Springs location on N.C. 18

An asphalt plant is eyeing a location near the former Laurel Springs School on N.C. 18, just south of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The location is north of the intersection of N.C. 88 and N.C. 18.

Maymead Materials Inc. hopes to build the plant sometime later this year, according to company Vice President Wiley Roark. However, he does not anticipate the company producing asphalt there until sometime in 2006.

Roark, who was reached while on vacation in Florida, said he had not seen the plat on the property, but that a sign was located on the premises. He said Maymead company President B.K. Mount has been handling the land transaction details. He stated that he didn’t know how many acres were contained in the proposed site.

As for the potential future employment impact of the plant, Roark said it could produce up to 25 new jobs. “You’re looking at three or four people at the plant and the drivers and other support workers totalling up 20 to 25 people,” Roark said.

While Roark declined to offer a specific figure on the anticipated investment, he noted that it would be an “investment of seven figures plus,” which he confirmed to mean more than $1 million.

Roark noted that the company has a good record in communities in which it has facilities, including two in the Boone area, one near Marion and one in Pineola. Other facilities are located in Virginia and Tennessee, while the company’s headquarters is in Mountain City, Tenn.

“We have a very strong track record of employing a lot of people and creating jobs and (fostering) economic development,” said Roark. “Our track record will speak for itself.”

County Manager Don Adams said Tuesday that he was not aware of any contact between the county and the company.

“We’re preparing for possible discussions,” Adams said. “I’ve instructed the county attorney and the planner to do some research.” Adams noted that the agenda for the next commission meeting, slated for Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m., was not completed as of Tuesday.

So why Alleghany County? “Why not?” Replied Roark. “We’re a large producer of hot mix asphalt and we do a tremendous amount of business..."

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