BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON

Edenton Town Council hosted a special meeting Monday, holding several public hearings on key economic-development projects, including Project Teapot. Residents and officials discussed efforts to revitalize the downtown area, enhance public infrastructure, and foster economic growth.

The agenda can be found, here.

Project Teapot Brings Hope for Jobs and Downtown Revival

Main Street Edenton is working to attract a technology firm to the former Sears building at 211 N. Broad St. If two grants are secured, Project Teapot could create approximately 150 jobs within five years. Council held a public hearing to discuss to allocation of $289,500 in town funds, from the sale of the Conger building, for the project. The board unanimously approved entering into the Economic Development Appropriation Agreement with Main Street Edenton.

Ches Chesson, Main Street Edenton Executive Director, outlined the nonprofit’s and town’s role. The nonprofit will own the property for 7-10 years until the compliance period is up. Then the company has the option to buy the building, with funds from the sale going to the town.

Unnamed sources have told the Observer that Provalus, a company founded in 2017, is the company coming to Edenton.

During the meeting, Chesson noted the company’s mission during the meeting without naming the company.

His statement is similar to the mission of Provalus which is stated on its website as: “We’re elevating high-potential rural communities by creating technology, business, and support careers for undiscovered talent in the U.S. Our team delivers quality IT services for clients looking for dependable outsourcing such as SOC & Security Operations, Customer Experience, Service Desk, Help Desk, NOC & Network Operations and other technology support. From our state-of-the-art facilities, we employ over 600 individuals… and we’ve only just begun.”

“Provalus is actively engaging with local government officials in several states and communities,” said Ryan Stansbury, senior director of marketing for Optomi Professional Services. “We remain in the discovery phase at this time.”

Provalus is part of Optomi Professional Services.

Mayor Hackney High confirmed that taxpayer funds would help subsidize the project, a move Chesson framed as an essential investment to signal Edenton’s commitment.

The project includes plans for two parking decks to be built on the Court Street parking lot, increasing parking capacity from 140 spaces to 223. The structures will be lined with a total of 10-12 townhomes designed to harmonize with the neighborhood’s character, High said.

The townhomes help house the company’s employees. Chesson said they are currently working out the ownership of the townhomes.

Edenton resident John Grant asked about the parking garages. Chesson said they would use the same footprint as the current parking lot on Court Street, with the road for 100 block of Eden Street serving as the main access.

Grant, Hal Murray and John Mitchener, spoke during the public hearing regarding Project Teapot. Concerns ranged from housing availability to traffic and development logistics.

Murray asked how much money Edenton will end up investing in the project and whether the project will be taxpayer funded. High noted that because they are using town funds, the project would be subsidized by taxpayers. Regarding the total investment, Chesson did not give an answer but said the town would “come out ahead” by an estimated $1.4 million.

Mitchener noted that about 30 years ago, community members discussed what to do with the Court Street parking lot. The discussions then included putting in several businesses and housing. High asked Mitchener to set up an appointment to discuss the issue with city officials further.

Chesson assured residents that studies related to parking and development would be conducted. High said the results of the studies will be made public at a later date.

Zoning and Development Matters Addressed

Also during the meeting, Council approved a request from Herritese LLC for a zoning change from “shopping center” to “commercial highway” for 4.5 acres at the intersection of Whitemon Lane and Virginia Road, near the US 17 exit. The developer’s spokesperson, Brad Mercer, remained tight-lipped about the business coming to town, but the rezoning application says a “quick serve restaurant and fuel” would be coming to the location.

Discussions also touched on traffic concerns, with Assistant Town Manager Dewayne Whealton confirming that entrance and exit regulations could be set through a special use permit.

Whealton and Mercer said the current plans include having all entrances and exits coming off of Whitemon Lane. Hisstese LLC recently received approval to conduct a traffic study.

Also regarding property, Town Council tabled a request for a Major Special Use Permit from the Chowan County ABC Board for a minor subdivision that would divide the parcel at 516 Virginia Road. Council members Craig Miller and Bob Turner had to recuse themselves from voting and Council Member Patrick Sellers was not at the meeting, so council didn’t have quorum. They will vote on the permit at the Feb. 11 meeting.

Council also unanimously approved amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance for residential agriculture zones, reducing minimum parcel width requirements and acreage for properties along state- or town-maintained roads. The change, requested by Wanda and Caroline Small, allows residential agriculture parcels to be a minimum of one acre with a minimum width of 200 feet on a state- or town-maintained road.

The change makes Edenton’s ordinance more in line with other municipalities and counties, including Hertford, Chowan County, Perquimans County, Greenville, and Elizabeth City, Whealton said.

Residential Agriculture parcels are in several areas in Edenton, including Yeopim Road.

Honoring Community and Supporting Infrastructure

In a touching moment, the council approved a memorial bench near Waterfront Park in honor of Aiden Chase Radke. Town employee Jessica Combs, who is helping the family with the bench, noted the family’s hope to have the bench installed by the first anniversary of Aiden’s passing, May 23, 2025..

The black marble bench will be on the south side of Colonial Park, toward the waterfront. Town Manager Corey Gooden said the site would allow the town to keep the bench where it is during the park renovation project.

“We tried to keep the playground pretty much unchanged in the layout of the new plan,” he said. “It will stay in place.

The council also approved a work order and budget amendment for a grant supporting runway paving and lighting upgrades at the Northeastern Regional Airport. The grant is for $58,220.

Improved Utility Service Schedule Heading to Council

During the committee meeting, changes to the utility service order schedule were approved to go before council on Feb. 11 for a vote. The change expands workdays from two — Tuesday and Thursday — to three per week — Monday, Wednesday and Friday. At-large Council Member Miller assured that the water and electric departments had sufficient manpower to handle the increased schedule.

Closed Session

Council went into closed session to discuss two lawsuits regarding the Confederate monument with town attorney Hood Ellis. No action was taken after the session.

Edenton Town Council will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 11 at council chambers, 504 S. Broad St., Edenton.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated on Feb. 7, 2025, to include information about a possible company involved in Project Teapot.