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EDC approves $25,000 grant to QC Apparel

By Rose Hooper
Members of the Economic Development Commission of Jackson County have approved a $25,000 grant for Sylva textile manufacturer QC Apparel. The money, which does not have to be repaid, will be used to hire a financial consultant.

"A condition of the county's $300,000 advance from its revolving loan fund to QC back in October was that (QC owner) Clemmy (Queen) hire a finance person," said EDC Director Tom McClure, who also serves as a member of the revolving loan committee. "This grant will help make that possible."

Jackson County commissioners approved the revolving loan fund package ­ which does have to be paid back ­ so Queen could finance a business expansion. QC has retooled over the past year and entered new markets, which Queen said are expected to keep his business competitive and allow the company to hire approximately 100 additional employees during the next 12 to 18 months.

According to Queen, the company's new products are high-end bed-in-bag sets that sell for about $300. Queen said he has a contract with May Co., the nation's second largest department store.

"Textiles are disappearing at an alarming rate," said McClure. "We need to do everything we can to make sure QC is successful. We have some workers in this county who still depend on textile employment."

EDC board member Gene Couch abstained from voting on the $25,000 grant to QC. Couch, who missed part of the meeting, said he "did not have enough facts to make an informed decision" when the issue came to a vote.

At Couch's request, the EDC's January meeting will be held at QC's new location in the former Tuckaseigee Mills building near the Jackson County Community Service Center.

Back to Archive: 12/06/02.