‘Thank you for even considering this ... thank you for your confidence in the company,’ said Jorge Lagueruela, owner of Trinity Furniture, after Trinity City Council unanimously voted to help the business pay the $680,000 it will cost to connect the furniture manufacturer to the city’s municipal sewer system.

“A lot has changed over the years, and we are currently operating under a health department citation because of a failing septic system,” Lagueruela explained to Council at the Nov. 17 meeting.

Because of that, he continued, they were leasing space in Archdale instead of expanding in Trinity.

Trinity Furniture, located on Kennedy Road in Trinity, is a contract furniture company that was started in 1985 by Lagueruela and John Kennedy for $1,000.

“It’s exciting to talk about a furniture company actually growing in these tough times,” said Harry Lane, existing business and industry coordinator for the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation, as he described the scope of the project. “This is a homegrown company that has gone from $11,000 per year to $13 million per year.”

That growing company, Lane continued, would like to grow some more, but is hampered because of its failing septic system.

The Council agreed to help Trinity Furniture by applying for three grants, including a $120,000 Community Development Block Grant, and giving the company $25,000. The city will act as the grant administrator.

Randolph County will consider the $25,000 request. Trinity Furniture will pay $310,000 toward the cost.

As part of the package, Trinity Furniture would create 10 new jobs.

During the public hearing, Trinity resident Jerry Sturgis noted that he had moved to the area from “up north” and was “pleased with the company.”

City Engineer Randy McNeill said, “I don’t usually speak at public hearings because I’m your engineer, but I wanted you to know that others were pleased to hear about this.”

McNeill described a luncheon he had attended with people in the engineering industry. He said something they want to see more of is private-public cooperation and, when he explained the situation, they expressed approval.

“It’s kind of unusual to be able to be positive about a furniture company in North Carolina,” he added.

After the public hearing, Councilman Tyler Earnst asked, “Will we be taking our share from the economic development funds?”

City Manager Ann Bailie indicated that the city’s share of the cost, $25,000, will come from economic development funds.

“This is not an incentive,” Bailie later told the NEWS. “The city budgets money for this purpose every year. Either we help provide Trinity Furniture with sewer or they will relocate outside of the city — and that will do nothing to serve our residents who work there.”

In other business, Trinity is accepting applications from residents to serve on advisory boards. City Council is expected to make appointments at the Dec. 15 meeting. Terms are effective immediately and are for three years (unless the appointment is to fill a vacant term).

Applications may be downloaded from www.trinity-nc.gov or picked up at City Hall, 6701 N.C. Hwy. 62, and turned in as soon as possible.

There currently vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Board in all wards. The Infrastructure Committee has openings in all wards except Ward 3.

The Planning and Zoning Board conducts public hearings on rezoning requests and is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council on land use and zoning matters. The Board also serves as the Board of Adjustment which is responsible for considering variances to the land use ordinances. They meet at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

The Public Safety Board identifies public safety concerns and develops recommendations for mitigation. The Board also organizes and promotes safety and wellness programs. Membership on this Board requires experience in public health or safety. They meet at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month.

The Infrastructure/Parks & Recreation Committee is responsible for researching and making recommendations to the city council on services such as water, wastewater, stormwater, street lights, recreation and other recreation or infrastructure improvements. They meet at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.

For more information, call 431-2841 or write to cityhall@trinity-nc.gov.